The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Risk Management Committee has given green light to the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Maize Project to conduct limited monitoring and evaluation activities of the project between 5th and 8th August 2020 and in line with the government of Kenya guidelines on COVID-19 management.
AATF staff involved in the Project are to strictly adhere to these containment measures put in place by the government and those by AATF management.
Prior to receiving clearance to proceed with the monitoring mission, the TAAT Project staff went through a refresher session on the AATF COVID Management guidelines with the head of human resources.
During his weekly updates to staff on COVID-19 trends in Africa on 17th July 2020, the AATF Executive Director Dr. Denis T. Kyetere noted that active cases are on the rise both in Africa and globally.
Based on this prevailing information, Dr. Kyetere called on the AATF staff to continue observing safety measures as laid down by governments and the World Health Organisation (WHO) since the “pandemic is getting closer home.”
The WHO advises washing hands with running water and soap, social distancing, and the use of face masks as some of the ways to combat the virus.
According to Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) on COVID-19 in Africa, there are 945,882 confirmed cases; 19,983 deaths, and 603,687 recoveries as of 2nd August 2020.
Dr. Kyetere noted that there is no substantive breakthrough yet in research on vaccines to effectively manage patients with the virus.
According to expert reports, more than 100 vaccine candidates are in various stages of development and testing – a process that might take 12 to 18 months to find a vaccine that works and is safe.
He pointed out that the WHO Regional Office for Africa and Africa CDC launched an Expert Advisory Committee to provide scientific advice and support to countries on the safety, efficacy, and quality of traditional medicine therapies.
Further, he highlighted how the AATF project countries are faring, noting that there is a rising number of cases in the countries where AATF operates with Uganda confirming its first death case on 23rd July.
“I wish to call on our staff and partners to follow through the health measures as stipulated in each country,” he urged the staff.
As governments across the globe strive to curb the spread of COVID-19, AATF staff and management continue to adhere to containment measures against the pandemic.
AATF is implementing its COVID-19 guidelines at the workplace to comply with the laid down protocols and health directives to protect its staff, partners, and its communities.
