Tobacco Control in Africa - TCA

Lessons from the past? A look at the project submitted by IMPACT to the Gates Foundation in 2009

While the Bloomberg Initiative runs its 14th round, I looked for the project IMPACT had submitted to the Gates Foundation in 2009, after the IDRC's debacle. I think it still contains strategic priorities that should be implemented today although they would mean a cultural revolution as far as the present and dominant practices are concerned. Are the decision makers ready and willing for such a change? Are they ready to give a chance to a very reasonable alternative way to manage grants and projects to promote tobacco control in Africa?

Don't click on the links inside the Google doc document as they don't work any longer. We'll produce a short summary asap.  

Tobacco control advocates and social media

I have lamented for years that tobacco control advocates don't use social media enough. A comment I just read in the most recent issue of Tobacco Control confirms my assessment and my experience: most of the time, the longer the advocates have been involved in the field, the less inclined they are to use social media. Of course there are exceptions (like Simon Chapman with the Facebook based Global Tobacco Control Network ) but where is the rest? :(

Where are the African leaders/groups on line? on a regular basis? Other exception, LISTAB, the Senegalese blog. You can congratulate Massamba. Yes I helped them launch the blog but they are the ones keeping it alive.

From $7 million to $7,884,847: the amount of the grant awarded in 2009 by the Gates Foundation to the African Consortium has increased by 12.64%.

While the initial amount awarded in 2009 was $7 million, the amount now mentioned on the Foundation's site is $7,884,847 (+12.64%). It's good news, but how and why this increase? Does it represent the interests of the invested money?

Grants awarded by FCA in 2009

We have completed the list of the grants awarded by FCA in 2009 (with funding from the Norwegian Cancer Society). The total is $80.500 for 10 groups and 9 countries. There are 5 grants of $5000, 3 of $10000, 1 of $7500 and 1 of 8000. As you can see the amounts awarded are much smaller, 10 to 20 times smaller. The amount of one grant awarded by IDRC or Bloomberg is bigger than the whole annual budget for those "small" grants. Two organizations also received funding from Bloomberg and/or IDRC: ATCA (Togo) and VAT (Ghana). 

What do we learn from the new information made available on the IDRC site?

We learn that several organizations were funded by IDRC in August and September 2009 for a global amount of CAD 430.300: about 8% of the initial grant awarded by the Gates Foundation since the CAD 150.000 allocated to the University of Cape Town are not part of the ATSA program. Why weren't those grants publicly disclosed at the time? Why such secrecy? 

As there are sometimes several partners involved It is still sometimes unclear how the funds were allocated as this information is not given. Shouldn't all that be shared in due time and in detail? In several instances it looks like IDRC itself is included in the funding. 

Do those new grants impact our analysis about how IDRC allocated the funds received from the Gates Foundation? It does but in a relatively marginal way as most of those grants were not directly awarded to African organizations: when including those grants the amounts awarded represent 36 to 43% of the total depending on the grants that are considered (using the smallest estimate of the global budget at $5.2 million+).

Newly discovered IDRC funded tobacco control projects: FCA part of the "Coordination and collaboration in Africa"

In the first description of this grant (initiated in September 2009 for a 12 months duration), only ATCA appeared and Ebeh Kodjo told us they had been awarded CAD 122.200. In this description, FCA appears. FCA informed us they received CAD 97.000. Since the stated total of the grant is CAD 302.200 where did the rest (83.000) go? to IDRC?

Newly discovered IDRC funded tobacco control projects: FCA funded for Technical Assistance to the ATSA teams (in August 2009)

This grant of CAD 291.100 is listed as starting August 1st 2009 (duration 12 months) but we only found about it now. The recipients appear to be the Global Smokefree Partnership, FCA and Healthbridge. FCA told us they received CAD 145.000 managed via GSP. Path Canada (HealthBridge since 2006) is also mentioned as a recipient. HealthBridge had partnered with IDRC to apply for the phase 2 of the Gates Foundation in July 2009 (ACS was selected).

The grant is to allow the partnership to help 6 country teams (Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Malawi, Sénégal and Zambia). 

IDRC: About the Synthesis and Analysis of ATSA Program Data

We had commented earlier about the fact that apparently Marquette University had only received a fraction of the global budget, raising the question of what happened with the rest of the money. 

As this document shows the total budget was CAD 478.500 and Jeffrey Drope has once again confirmed to us that Marquette University had received about CAD 123.551 ($118.300). So what about the remaining CAD354.949 (74% of the budget). Did they go back to IDRC via RITC?

Le CRDI a sélectionné deux experts pour effectuer l'évaluation de ses programmes antitabac: Mira Aghi et Burke Fishburn.

Les deux experts retenus par le CRDI sont le Mira Aghi et Burke Fishburn.

Mira Aghi, Ph.D.
P-14 Green Park Extension
New Delhi, India 110016
Phone: (91) 11-2619-3770
Fax: (91) 11-2462-2707
E-mail: ask us or go to globalink and find out

What about a project similar to the Africa reporting project for the tobacco control program funded by the Gates Foundation?

The Africa Reporting Program funded by the Gates Foundation with the University of Berkeley looks like an interesting model although I think the program for tobacco control could hire more local journalists, in every country and with a detailed deadline and content requirements. Less than 10% of the budget could certainly pay for one journalist per country publishing one article per month. That would be effective communication and advocacy. A French speaking example is Baleki Congo Blog Net, the collective blog open in RDC with the support of the Lille's school of journalism. I am not sure there is any article in French in the Africa Reporting Program. I think each journalist is compensated $50 per post.

List of groups that received funding from FCA in 2009 (seed grants)

LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVED SEED GRANTS IN 2009

The Norwegian Cancer Society has provided financial support for FCA activities in including seed grants. The budget below amounts to $80.500 

In 2009 a total of 10 organizations have received seed grants for various projects as listed below.

1 People's Health Movement (PHM), Gabon 2009 $5,000

2 Vision for Alternative Development Ghana 2009 $ 5,000

3 Campaign For Tobacco-free Youths Nigeria 2009 $ 5,000

4 Association Life Cameroon 2009 $ 5,000

5 Africa Tobacco Control Alliance Togo 2009 $10,000

6 Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE) Togo 2009 $ 5,000

7 ONG Initiative pour l’Education et le Contrôle du Tabagisme Benin 2009 $ 5,000 (Not confirmed)

8 Association Vie et Santé (AVIS) Sénégal 2009 $10,000

9 Association de Lutte Contre le Tabagisme en Afrique (LUCTAF) DRC Congo 2009 $10,000

10 Club Universitaire Unesco pour la Lutte Contre la Drogue Cote d’ivoire 2009 $8, 000

11 Visa Mauritius Mauritius 2009 $7500

Note : The fund for Association Vie et Sante (Avis) and Visa Mauritius are still under consideration (they were finalized later and we updated the content). The grant for the group in Bénin is not part of the list later distributed.

FCA Africa, annual report for 2009 by Adeola Akinremi

This report about the activities of FCA in Africa in 2009 was sent by Adeola Akinremi.

The Framework convention Alliance has gone through phases of development and progress in its campaign through the years and your active support through these stages have been key to FCA success in Africa.

As we enter the twilight of 2009 I have reviewed our activities through the year and in this document I attempt to provide you all an overview of what FCA has done in Africa in 2009 and keep you informed about direction (in which several of you have made input) for 2010.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2010-2012

FCA is currently reviewing its operational plan globally to align with the reality of its campaign focus and direction for the coming years. That has made it necessary for the organization staff member with active involvement of Board representatives and members (through responses to survey from each region) to identify five (5) strategic priorities as follows:

a) Promote and support tobacco control through the development and implementation of the FCTC, its protocols and guidelines as a global health priority.

b) Strengthen and influence the FCTC process

c) Mobilize and strengthen the regional and local civil society capacity in support of FCTC

d) Monitor the implementation of the FCTC, its guidelines and protocols

e) Strengthen FCA institutional capacity to enable it to meet the strategic priorities.

This operational plan is still work in progress and the final documents will be released when finalized.

ILLICIT TRADE PROTOCOL NEGOTIATION

As you know, the negotiations on the Illicit Trade Protocol are moving forwards with progress recorded after the two Drafting Groups met in Geneva. During the Drafting Group 1 & 2, Rachel Kitonyo, a lawyer and Board Chair of Africa Tobacco Control Alliance represented Africa alongside other experts from other regions.

The critical issue of supply chain and enforcement (including offences and penalties) was considered. The first meeting took place from 30th September to 2nd October, and the second was held from 23rd to 25th November.

RESOURCES AND CAPACITY

To enhance its activities in Africa in 2010 FCA is a member of ACS-led consortium grant proposal currently under review by the funder. The outcome of this proposal will be available online when it is ready.

The grant proposal, if successful will be useful to advance tobacco control in Africa.

FCA SHADOW REPORTING PROJECT

In 2010 FCA will produce National and global shadow report in an attempt to hold government accountable to their obligation under the FCTC.

In Africa the countries where these shadow report will focus are: Ghana, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya and Seychelles being a part of the first 40 countries to ratify FCTC.

INB4

The fourth and expectedly last meeting of negotiating body on illicit trade in tobacco product will be held in March 2010. The success of this meeting is critical to the future of other protocols to be developed within the FCTC.

Therefore, this time calls for close relationship with government delegates to give them quality information about the need to have a successful INB4 ahead of time. There are policy documents being developed and will be shared with you on a continuous basis.

COP 4 AND NEW GUIDELINES

The fourth conference of the parties will be held in November 2010 in Uruguay and Guidelines on major articles of the FCTC will be on the table for discussion and decision.

The guidelines for decision include:

o Art 9&10 Regulation & Disclosure o Art 12 Education o Art 14 Cessation o Art 17 &18 Alternative Livelihoods To achieve intended success, your active support at country level in engaging your delegates will be a direct booster to the adoption of strong guidelines during COP 4.

FCTC RATIFICATION IN STRATEGIC PRIORITY COUNTRIES‍

FCA will provide effective support for national Ratification campaigns in Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Mozambique in 2010. The contribution of members and active involvement of countries that have ratified will be key to these ratifications.

COMMUNICATION It is a strategic objective for FCA as a whole in 2010 to improve its communications with members, and engage them more effectively in FCTC-focussed campaigns. Whilst there are over 110 FCA members in the African region, only a minority of these are active in the FCA campaigns.

We therefore look forward to your active national network as a part of this process in 2010.

In Africa we have plan to expand the reach of membership in Southern African countries and activates more members on other sub region. Your active support in suggesting organizations with active interest in tobacco control to the Regional Coordinator will help greatly in identifying organization with genuine interest. Also, communications are being developed around the campaigns for the adoption of strong guidelines on the above articles and your active contribution to Africa specific messages to be developed and campaign materials for outreach will be appreciated.

LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVED SEED GRANTS IN 2009

The Norwegian Cancer Society has provided financial support for FCA activities in including seed grants.

In 2009 a total of 10 organizations have received seed grants for various projects as listed below.

1 People's Health Movement (PHM), Gabon 2009 $5,000

2 Vision for Alternative Development Ghana 2009 $ 5,000

3 Campaign For Tobacco-free Youths Nigeria 2009 $ 5,000

4 Association Life Cameroon 2009 $ 5,000

5 Africa Tobacco Control Alliance Togo 2009 $10,000

6 Alliance Nationale des Consommateurs et de l’Environnement (ANCE) Togo 2009 $ 5,000

7 ONG Initiative pour l’Education et le Contrôle du Tabagisme Benin 2009 $ 5,000

8 Association Vie et Santé (AVIS) Sénégal 2009 ????

9 Association de Lutte Contre le Tabagisme en Afrique (LUCTAF) DRC Congo 2009 $10,000

10 Club Universitaire Unesco pour la Lutte Contre la Drogue Cote d’ivoire 2009 $8, 000

11 Visa Mauritius Mauritius 2009 ????

Note : The fund for Association Vie et Sante (Avis) and Visa Mauritius are still under consideration.

WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2009

Here.

CTFK's Matt Myers assesses global tobacco control

Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids that is a key component of the Bloomberg Initiative comments on the recent WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2009. He notes that most governments are falling short in implementing the policies required by the international tobacco control treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. 

Pour une gestion transparente et responsable, le concept de divulgation proactive

Le gouvernement Canadien a mis en place depuis Décembre 2003 l'obligation de divulgation proactive qui concerne notamment les dépenses en frais de voyages (quoiqu'ils ne concernent pour le moment qu'un petit nombre de personnes qui ne sont pas forcément celles qui voyagent le plus), les contrats (à partir de 10,000$) etc. Alors que les sommesen jeu ont considérablement augmenté, appliquer une procédure du même genre aux contrats et subventions dans le secteur de la lutte antitabac serait un grand pas vers une gestion transparente et responsable. 

Transparency and accountability: the key concept and practice of Proactive Disclosure

The Canadian Government introduced and started implementing in December 2003 the key concepts and practices of proactive disclosure. Here is an example of implementation for Health Canada: it includes travel and hospitality expenses (although usually only for a limited number of executives who are not the ones traveling most), contracts over $10,000.
How about incorporating such proactive disclosure into best practices to be implemented for the management of tobacco control grants?

WHO officially announces the $10 million grant of the Gates Foundation to promote tobacco control in Africa

We had previously informed our readers of this grant awarded in August. The press release does not provide details about the way the funds will be managed, the type of governance that will be -eventually chosen-, what African NGOs will eventually participate, how transparency and accountability will be implemented, issues that are very important and were specifically addressed by the Gates Foundation in the $7 million project awarded to the American Cancer Society.

Contacts to know more are mentioned at the very end of the press release.

L'OMS annonce officiellement la subvention de 10 millions de dollars de la Fondation Gates pour promouvoir la lutte antitabac en Afrique Sub-Saharienne

L'OMS officialise maintenant la subvention attribuée au mois d'août par la Fondation Gates comme nous l'avions annoncé précédemment. Pas de détails sur la manière dont seront gérés ces fonds, quelle gouvernance, quelle participation de quelles ONGs, quelle transparence, etc.

A suivre, en contactant les personnes mentionnées tout à la fin de la dépêche.

Gates Foundation: Kate James nominated as New Chief Communications Officer

“The Gates Foundation recognizes that communications and advocacy are critical for building support for its work on the ground and bringing innovative solutions to those who need them most,” James said. She'll start working in January  2010.
Source: Gates Foundation

Jeffrey Drope of Marquette University is awarded approximately $118.300 to organize the data collected by the ATSA teams

Nota: this is a rewriting of a previous version of this post where we had indicated the amount of the grant awarded to Jeffrey Drope and Marquette University was $451K, a number that appeared on IDRC's website. We trust they know how much they received and the site will eventually be clearer. We thank Jeffrey and Marquette University for this correction.
This contract was signed in June 2009. It is part of the global budget of $5.2 millions provided  to IDRC by the Gates Foundation.

Jeffrey Drope de Marquette University reçoit approximativement $118.300 pour organiser les données collectées via les partenaires du programme ATSA

Nota: ce texte est une version modifiée du billet initialement publié. A la suite du commentaire envoyé par Marquette University nous avons modifié le montant du contrat attribué que nous avions cité à $451K, chiffre mentionné sur le site du CRDI. Nous pensons que Jeffrey Drope et Marquette University savent combien ils ont reçu et nous faisons donc cette modification dès à présent. Nous remercions Jeffrey Drope et Marquette University d'avoir apporté cette rectification dans leur commentaire.

Ce contrat était passé inaperçu.

Togo: ANCE reçoit le soutien du CRDI via ATCRI

ANCE communique à ce sujet dans son nouveau blog en français et en anglais.

Tanzania: more pictures of tobacco billboards

75% of Tanzania Cigarette Company is owned by Japan Tobacco International.

Don't forget to sign the petition.

Pictures thanks to Lutgard. "Rasilimali ya Tanzania" means "Tanzanian heritage"

Tanzania: a petition to ban advertising

  Honourable Minister for Health and Social Welfare (click here to sign the petition on line)

The Non-Governmental Organisations of Tanzania and tobacco control advocates congratulate the Tanzania Government for enacting the Tobacco Products (Regulation) Act, 2003 (TPRA, 2003) and, for ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

However, we are concerned about the lack of enforcement of TPRA (2003) in particular Part VI, Section 26 and, lack of observance of Article 13 of the FCTC, both of which prohibit tobacco promotion and advertisement.

The current upsurge of cigarette advertisement in Tanzania is a cause of great concern.

Thank you to Véronique Le Clézio for the pictures.

Propositions pour un nouveau mode de gestion du financement de la lutte antitabac en Afrique

 
1. Garantir à chaque pays francophone un soutien financier (et pas seulement à une poignée, toujours les mêmes)

 
2. Etablir un système de répartition clair et équitable (une partie fixe de $5000 quelque soit la taille du pays, une partie proportionnelle à la taille démographique du pays, une partie affectée sur des programmes avec des engagements spécifiques)

Evaluating IDRC's work in tobacco control

Request for Expressions of Interest to conduct an external review of the Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC) Program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Source: IDRC RFP

Scientific American about tobacco control in Africa

Scientific American on line looks at tobacco control in Africa while reporting about the new Global Smokefree Partnership report presented by ACS in Dar es Salaam.

An interesting post (and debate) about the lack of transparency at big charities and institutions

From Holden Karnofsky of the blog givewell.

ACS dedicates a blog to the AORTIC conference

The American Cancer Society has opened a blog devoted to its initiatives during AORTIC. Our congratulations and best wishes for this new digital initiative that complements the existing Global Fight Against Cancer blog.

Quelques questions autour des projets financés par la Fondation Gates

En cette fin d'année 2009 il est essentiel pour l'organisation de la lutte antitabac dans les pays d'Afrique francophone que les activistes continuent (ou commencent) à réclamer d'être partie prenante et décisionnaire dans le cadre des programmes géants (par rapport à ce qui existait auparavant) dont l'objectif affirmé est de les aider.

Quelques échecs spécifiques du programme ATSA de IDRC-CRDI et comment on pourrait y remédier: l'absence quasi-complète de communication et de transparence, le maintien à l'écart de nombreux pays

En ce qui concerne la communication (qui demeure quasiment inexistante) un budget de 100$ par mois (voire moins) serait suffisant pour rémunérer la rédaction d'un article par un journaliste local. Couvrir 20 pays représenterait 2000$ par mois et pourtant cette proposition que j'avais faite après Durban (novembre 2008) n'a pas été reprise.

Le déficit de communication est immense. En fait il n'y a pas de communication, sauf le strict minimum administratif et encore: c'est à dire la publication de chaque nouveau contrat avec une description ultra brève (pas toujours disponible en français).

Les responsables de la gestion ne communiquent pas sur leurs activités, leurs déplacements (pourtant multiples et couteux), pas question pour eux de tenir un blog.

La structure IDRC, malgrés ses déclarations officielles sur la transparence ne fournit aucun rapport d'activités (annuel ou autre) et la gouvernance n'a fait aucune place aux activistes africains (contrairement aux engagements annoncés au départ) même si les contrats les plus récents accordés à ATCA et ATCRI sont une reconnaissance tardive (un an après Durban) de la nécessité d'aller au delà des 12 projets initialement sélectionnés.

Ces contrats laissent encore de multiples pays et de multiples activistes à l'abandon alors qu'il y avait et qu'il y a probablement encore largement assez d'argent pour les impliquer dans des projets utiles.

La mise à l'écart brutale de Philippe Boucher au début de 2009 a sonné le glas des tentatives de communiquer davantage qui n'ont en réalité jamais été acceptées.

Les équipes retenues n'ont pas été requises de communiquer et en conséquence ne communiquent pas alors que la communication est un élément essentiel de la promotion de la lutte antitabac et qu'en y consacrant 10% des crédits (avec une organisation stricte de la production) on obiendrait des résultats conséquents.

La décision de sélectionner soi-disant de manière compétitive mais en fait de façon totalement arbitraire et en favorisant souvent outrageusement des candidats sans aucune expérience dans le domaine de la lutte antitabac mais ayant eu des contrats précédemment avec CDRI-IDRC a conduit à maintenir à l'écart de nombreux pays alors que -bien entendu- il y avait (il y a encore) assez d'argent pour les soutenir, notamment via de "petits" contrats.

La mise en oeuvre d'un programme de "petits" contrats ("small grants") aurait permis d'impliquer tous les pays: il est intéressant de noter que contrairement à son discours officiel qui prétend voir des avantages aux "petits" contrats, IDRC-DRDI n'en a proposé en fait qu'un tout petit nombre -entre 3 et 5 par an pour l'Afrique si l'on en croit le rapport publié sur la question- et aucun dans le cadre du programme ATSA qui était au contraire le cadre parfait pour les mettre en oeuvre.

Visiblement l'intittion IDRC-CRDI ne veut pas mettre en oeuvre une telle politique tout en faisant semblant d'en faire, le strict minimum et en reconnaissant: "significant results can be achieved thru realtively modest funding and a short time frame"...

La distance entre le discours officiel et la pratique réelle est énorme.

 

IDRC-CRDI récapitulatif mis à jour des projets financés

Si IDRC publie maintenant les données de base relatives aux subventions accordées, celles-ci ne sont pas regroupées en un seul endroit et ne font généralement pas l'objet d'un communiqué de presse ou de la diffusion d'une information au sein de la communauté des activistes antitabac.

Nous essayons de rassembler les informations pour vous permettre de suivre l'évolution du programme.

Les subventions les plus récentes sont en tête et à ce jour nous estimons que le total distribué après presque 2 ans de fonctionnement (3 novembre 2009) représente 1.653.500 CADs soit US$ 1.541.103.

Rappelons que la subvention de la Fondation Gates est de US$ 5.274.477. Les subventions distribuées représentent donc au bout de deux ans d'activité environ 29,3% du total.

Quid des 70% restants?

Octobre 2009 (no precise date available): African Tobacco Control Research Initiative Scoping Exercise à ATCRI (Bode Oluwafemi) pour 10 mois et 137.100 CAD
Project Number 105842Start Date           Program Area/Group SEP | ATSA

22 Septembre 2009: African Tobacco Control Alliance : Coordination of Efforts with Organizations in Africa à ATCA (Fabrice Ebeh) pour 12 mois et 302.200 CAD
Project Number 105896 Start Date 2009/09/22 Program Area/Group SEP | ATSA

ATCRI receives 137 100 CAD from IDRC to manage a multicountry program

The succinct description of the project is on IDRC's site. The budget (for 10 months) is US$ 127.293. The countries involved are: Bénin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Togo and Uganda.

A post on ATCRI's site mentions a first meeting in Lagos in early October.

Quand ATCRI massacre la langue française

Dès le lancement d'ATCRI à Durban en novembre 2008 les francophones n'avaient pu que constater avec tristesse la faiblesse des textes en français, bourrés de fautes de syntaxe et d'orthographe, visiblement produits par un robot ans aucune révision par une personne ayant une connaissance suffisante de la langue française.

ATCA receives a one year grant of $ 281.248 from IDRC (Gates Foundation funding)

The details are on the IDRC's website. This grant awarded on September 22 complements the $50K awarded earlier this year by the Norwegian Cancer Society. IDRC apparently made a mistake between ATCRI and ATCA: ATCRI is mentioned at the start but then ATCA is.

Quelle sera la place de la société civile africaine francophone dans le programme de l'OMS destiné à promouvoir la lutte antitabac en Afrique et financé à hauteur de $10 millions sur 5 ans par la Fondation Gates?

Au cas où vous ne l'auriez pas vu puisque la seule annonce officielle qui en a été faite se trouve sur le site de la Fondation Gates (en anglais évidemment) et n'apparait nulle part -pour le moment- sur le site de TFI/OMS, l'Initiative pour un Monde sans Tabac a reçu presque 10 millions de dollars pour, je cite (Fondation Gates, grant OPP 51891)

Date: August 2009

Purpose: to create a “hub” to prevent further increases in the prevalence of tobacco use in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing technical assistance, mobilizing resources, and building capacity to implement sustained tobacco control interventions through the “hub” which will represent a cross-sectoral partnership of governmental and non-governmental organizations across the region

Amount: $9,994,093

Term: 5 years

The Call for Interest from the World Health Organization to promote tobacco control in Africa managing the $10 million given by the Gates Foundation

This advertising, related to the $10 million grant given to WHO by the Gates Foundation  to promote tobacco control in Africa was published in The Economist (September 26th, October 2d, page 111).

The World Health Organization is seeking a management consulting firm to develop a business plan that establishes the infrastructure for a tobacco control policy change and capacity building project in Africa. The selected firm must support the initial planning and set up of the project and conduct two annual performance reviews and problem solving workshops using best practices.

Smoking uptake and prevalence in Ghana

This research paper about smoking uptake and prevalence in Ghana has just been published in the October 2009 issue of Tobacco Control available online. The prevalence of smoking in Ghana is one of the lowest in Africa: current 3.8%, ever smoking at 9.7%.

African Lawyers Meet in Nairobi to Build Alliance for Tobacco Control Legislations

 On October 22d a Legal Workshop for Tobacco Control Lawyers in Africa opened in Nairobi with over 50 lawyers from 32 countries present. The workshop, which is jointly organized by the International Legal Consortium at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and the Africa Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) is providing the platform for discussing common concerns and issues related to tobacco control in Africa, sharing information on effective tobacco control legislation in Africa and shaping the goals, objectives and activities of the Lawyers network.

Source: ATCRI

Inauguration de l'usine Philip Morris à Prikine: indignation et protestation du MAT

Djibril Wélé nous communique ses réactions face à la présence du Premier Ministre sénégalais lors de l'inauguration de l'usine de Prikine (banlieue de Dakar) et partage les liens de deux articles dans la presse locale sur le sujet: ferloo et la gazette.

The Gates Foundations awards $30 million + to the Bloomberg Family Foundation to promote tobacco control

Revisiting the site of the Gates Foundation to see if there was anything new concerning the grant awarded to the World Health Organization to promote tobacco control in Sub-Sahara Africa ($10 million for five years in August 2009) I discover that the Foundation also awarded in July $30.875.000 to the Bloomberg Family Foundation (for one year and 9 months) to promote tobacco control "globally". The Bloomberg Foundation had already received in May 2008, $23.875.000 (for 2 years). Strangely enough I find out when revisiting this link that the page about this grant is no longer available on the Gates Foundation's site (October 30).

Quel bilan et quel avenir pour les blogs dans la lutte antitabac en Afrique?

J'ai commencé à aider des activistes Africains à créer des blogs en Janvier 2007, dans le cadre du programme Globalink-Afrique alors financé par la Norwegian Cancer Society. Ce programme ne visait initialement que la création et le soutien de 5 activistes mais j'ai volontairement (et gracieusement) élargi mon offre de service, comme vous pouvez le voir en vous reportant à la liste des blogs créés.

Le financement a cessé en 2008 mais j'ai continué à fournir mes services gracieusement, ouvrant 22 blogs en tout en 2007, 13 en 2008 et 2 en 2009.

Ces blogs permettent aux activistes qui les utilisent (tous n'ont pas persévéré) de communiquer au sujet de leurs activités et d'être efficacement référencés par les moteurs de recherche.

Les blogs concernent 17 pays d'Afrique (dont 14 francophones).

Un survol de ces blogs montre que certains ont un contenu substantiel, d'autres pas. Certains ont continué au fil des ans, d'autres pas. Il est intéressant de noter que des blogs qui ne sont plus "mis à jour" continuent cependant à recevoir un nombre conséquent de visites, signe que leur contenu demeure attirant.

Liste des blogs pays par pays:

Algérie (pour mémoire): Ameur Soltane (Novembre 2008), Mokhtar Hamdi Cherif (Juillet 2008)

Bénin: Augustin Faton (Novembre 2008), Association Aide Solidarité Bénin (novembre 2007),

Burkina Faso: Mohammed Ould Sidi (Novembre 2008), Blog de l'Association de Santé Publique du Burkina (Mai 2007)

Burundi: l'Alliance Burundaise contre le cancer (juillet 2008)

Cameroun: Tih Armstrong (Novembre 2008),  Susie Mbouangouore(Novembre 2007)

Congo: Célestin Zouma (Décembre 2007)

Cote d'Ivoire: Pascal Bogui (Janvier 2007)

Gabon: Thanguy Nzue Obame (Juillet 2008)

Guinée Conakry: Génération Sans Tabac (Février 2009)

Kenya: Dorcas Kiptui (Juillet 2008)

Mali: Le droit du tabac en Afrique francophone (pour Mahamane Cissé - Janvier 2007)

Maurice: Véronique Le Clézio (Janvier 2007)

Mozambique: Francisco Cabo (Janvier 2007)

Niger: Inoussa Saouna (Novembre 2008)

Nigéria: Betty Abah (Décembre 2008), Tobacco & You (Emission de radio - podcast) (Novembre 2007), Adeola Akinremi (Janvier 2007)

Ouganda: Jackie Tumwine (Janvier 2007)

RDC: SEA-RDCongo (Octobre 2009), Le blog de Patrick Musavuli (Juillet 2007)

Sénégal: Massamba Diouf (novembre 2007), Mouvement Anti-Tabac du Sénégal (Mai 2007)

Blogs thématiques: Tobacco Prevalence in Africa, Tobacco Taxes in Africa, blog bilingue de nouvelles African News/Nouvelles d'Afrique (Janvier 2007)

Blogs pour des organisations: African Tobacco Control Alliance (English), Alliance Africaine pour le Contrôle du Tabac (Français) (blogs offerts à la suite de la conférence de Durban, non utilisés), IMPACT (Initiative Panafricaine) (Décembre 2007), Consortium Africain d'Action Juridique - African Legal Consortium (projet sans suite en janvier 2007)

Blogs pour conférences/évènements (avec présence d'activistes africains francophones): COP3 conference (Durban, Novembre 2008),INB2 conference (Septembre 2008), UICC 20008, Cancer World Congress (Juillet 2008), Blog de l'atelier francophone de Kinshasa (Décembre 2007), The conference blog (COP 2, Bangkok, Juin 2007)

Liste chronologique des blogs créés (en commençant par les plus récents)

Octobre 2009: Blog pour SEA-RDCongo - Paul Lughembé (Goma - RDC)

Février 2009: Blog pour Génération Sans Tabac (Conakry - Guinea)

Décembre 2008:  Blog for Betty Abah (animatrice de l'émission de radio Tobacco and You à Lagos), blog sur la Tobacco Prevalence in Africa

Novembre 2008: blog pour Augustin Faton (Cotonou - Bénin), Inoussa Saouna (Niger), Mohammed Ould Sidi  (Burkina Faso), African Tobacco Control Alliance (English), Alliance Africaine pour le Contrôle du Tabac (Français)

Octobre 2008: blog pour COP3 conference, Tobacco Taxes in Africa,

Septembre 2008: blog pour INB2 conference

Juillet 2008: blog pour le  UICC 20008, Cancer World Congress, blog for Thanguy Nzue Obame (Gabon), blog pour l'Alliance Burundaise contre le cancer

Décembre 2007: Blog de l'atelier francophone de Kinshasa, Célestin Zouma (Brazzaville), IMPACT (Initiative Panafricaine),

Novembre 2007: blog pour Tobacco & You (Emission de radio animée par Betty Abah, Nigeria), Susie Mbouangouore (Cameroun), Massamba Diouf (Sénégal), Association Aide Solidarité Bénin,

July 2007: Le blog de Patrick Musavuli (Lubumbashi),

June 2007: The conference blog (Bangkok, COP2)

May 2007: blog pour le Mouvement Anti-Tabac du Sénégal (Djibril Wélé - Dakar), Blog de l'Association de Santé Publique du Burkina

January 2007: blogs pour 5 activistes Africains dans le cadre du programme Globalink- Afrique:

Pascal Bogui (Abidjan), Véronique Le Clézio (Maurice),  Francisco Cabo (Maputo), Adeola Akinremi (Lagos), Jackie Tumwine (Kampala).

Blogs pour SOS Tabagisme et le blog bilingue de nouvelles African News/Nouvelles d'Afrique blog pour le Consortium Africain d'Action Juridique - African Legal Consortium (pour un projet soumis à CTFK qui ne sera pas retenu), blog au sujet de la thèse de Me Mahamane Cissé sur le droit du tabac en Afrique francophone.

UICC: Cary Adams nouveau directeur

L'Union Internationale Contre le Cancer, qui gère le réseau antitabac Globalink a un nouveau directeur,
Mr Cary Adams. Présentation en anglais sur leur site.

ACS about the recent tobacco control workshop in Ouagadougou

The Africa Tobacco Control Regional Initiative (ATCRI) hosted a capacity building and strategy workshop for Francophone tobacco control advocates August 20- 23 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Source: ACS blog

ACS job announcement: Managing Director for Global Tobacco Control

The American Cancer Society is searching for an individual to lead its international tobacco control program. The Managing Director for Global Tobacco Control oversees major components of ACS's international tobacco control efforts, including building public support for tobacco control, advocating for smokefree public places, and supporting efforts to increase tobacco taxes.

Parker Palmer: Am I going to tuck this under the rug and pretend that I don’t know what’s going on?

Am I going to tuck this under the rug and pretend that I don’t know what’s going on? Or am I going to become a moral change agent within my institution and rally like-minded people around me, coalescing our power to bring about institutional change?

Source: Yes Magazine

CRDI: liste des récentes subventions attribuées pour CAD $ 1.214.200 pour promouvoir la lutte antitabac en Afrique Sub-Saharienne

La liste des subventions attribuées dans le cadre du programme ASTA peut être établie à partir de la liste globale publiée sur leur site. Le montant global distribué s'établit à CAD$ 1.214.200 (US$ 1.127.431). 

Rappelons que la subvention de la Fondation Gates est de US$ 5.274.477. Les subventions distribuées représentent donc environ 22% du total. Consulter la liste ci-dessous.

IDRC: list of recent ATSA grants attributed for CAD $1.214.200 to promote tobacco control in Sub-Sahara Africa

ATSA's grants that can be found among the listing of all IDRC's grants amount to CAD$ 1.214.200 (US$ 1.127.431). The global grant allocated to IDRC by the Gates Foundation is US$ 5.274.477. Those grants amount to about 22% of the total. See list below.

John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society about tobacco control in Africa

Here is part of an interview he gave during the recent Livestrong Cancer Summit that took place in Dublin.
How does Africa fit in when it comes to global tobacco use?

Africa has relatively low tobacco use prevalence rates. But it has the fastest increasing prevalence rates. They're low compared to China, where 60 percent of the men smoke, but they're going up faster than anywhere in the world. We at the American Cancer Society are committed to doing tobacco control in Africa because here's a chance to prevent an epidemic of disease that otherwise will happen.

Source: All Africa.com

Nigeria: Tobacco Control Forum in Abuja on September 27

A "Pan –African Tobacco Control Forum" is oganized during the 8th African Heart Network Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja on September 27. See the detailed program below.