Samoa

The outlook is detailed in the World Bank’s inaugural Pacific Economic Update report launched in Suva, Fiji last month.

The report is a first in a new series, February 2023’s Pacific Economic Update describes a regional economy unevenly impacted by multiple shocks.

It also highlights a comprehensive assessment and forward-projection of 11 Pacific Island country economies including Samoa.

According to the report, Covid-19 and its related restrictions represented an immense challenge for the Pacific since 2020.

The funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been awarded to two organizations working to build the resilience of vulnerable populations in communities in Samoa.

These grants will support a wide range of activities at the community level ranging from disaster risk reduction preparedness and response, community development, climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The parade was led by the Deputy Police, Prisons and Corrections Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti.

Papalii is the first female to hold the Deputy Police Commissioner in Samoa which is the highest rank in the Police force.

The march towards the Government building was part of their usual morning routine to raise the national flag, however the parade was extra special because it consisted of all women within the Ministry of Police and Prisons.

A contract signing between the USP, Japan Embassy Samoa, Samoa’s Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture was held at the USP Samoa Campus yesterday.

The Japanese Ambassador to Samoa, Senta Keisuke signed over the grant to the recipient’s representatives of the USP - Samoa Campus.  

Samoa’s Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane Tuaau was among the attendees.

The funding is from the Grant Assistance for Japan’s Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The unveiling of these new equipment coincided with the celebration of World Hearing Day, last week.

The donation was made possible through the Samoa Hearing Programme, a partnership between the Ministry of Health, SENESE, and the Australian Government through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).

The Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele said the partnership between Australia and Samoa in providing quality and accessible healthcare is a testament to the strength of our relationship.

Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, told TV1 Samoa the infant was showing symptoms of measles and has been isolated to await results of blood samples sent to New Zealand.

He confirmed two other patients were tested recently and returned negative results.

According to Aiono, the Ministry of Health are continuing the Mumps Measles and Rubella vaccination push around the country.

"We've approved the payment of staff overtime to allow for them to work Saturday," he said.

Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai Keti says the forensic pathologist will revisit the crime scene, as well as review the deceased's file with the police.

Tala Fou reports Tuuau Maletino Motu's death made headlines as names of some politicians were implicated.

Papalii has confirmed that police have yet to find any clues to the incident.

However she says the case is still open and any information in relation to the incident is accepted.

Tuuau was found dead on the side of the road, at Vaitele on the night of Tuesday, 21 April 2021.

Ambassador of China to Samoa Chao Xiao Liang handed over the furniture to the school.

Member of Parliament for the Fa’asaleleaga No. 2 Electoral Constituency Magele Sekati Fiaui accepted the desks and chairs on behalf of the College.

He thanked the Chinese government for its long-term support for the development of Samoa, and also thanked the Chinese Embassy in Samoa for its help in improving local teaching conditions,

Rev. Dr. Marie Ropeti-Apisaloma says women should be ordained ministers in the church and be given leadership roles.

Ropeti-Apisaloma argues the early missionaries brought a patriarchal view with them that discouraged women. 

Her new book Nafanua Theology:  A Samoan-Christian argument for women in ordained ministry contests the traditional views on who gets ordained.

Petrol has increased by 22.2 sene per litre from $3.03 to $3.26 per litre.

The price of diesel has increased by 3.6 sene from $3.52 to $3.56 per litre.

There has been a 9.2 sene increase in the price of kerosene.

Consumers are now paying $3.20 per litre.

The new prices came into effect yesterday (Wednesday)    

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