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Senegalese singer Coumba Gawlo Seck named FAO Champion for women's empowerment in West Africa
via SeneNews1 min read
Coumba Gawlo Seck, a Senegalese artist, has been appointed FAO Champion for women's leadership and empowerment in West Africa. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Némabah, Toubacouta, marking the launch of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026. In her new role, Seck will support the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO initiatives aimed at empowering rural women in the sub-region. She emphasized the importance of improving women's access to financing, markets, technology, infrastructure, and training to enhance their contribution to economic development. Seck stated that this responsibility aligns with her ongoing commitment to women, youth, and vulnerable communities. She also highlighted the work of her associations, Lumière pour l’Enfance Coumba Gawlo and Gawlo Office Média, in supporting these efforts.
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Nestlé Senegal's Communications and Public Relations Manager, Nazly Coumba Niang, has addressed public concerns regarding salt consumption and industrial seasonings in Senegal. Niang stated that compliance is central to Nestlé's business principles, emphasizing adherence to both national laws and international regulations. She highlighted the company's efforts to reduce salt content in its seasonings, noting that since 2017, the salt levels have been voluntarily lowered to between 48% and 53%, which is below the 55% maximum threshold recommended by Senegalese standards. Nestlé Senegal also advises consumers on proper product usage, recommending one Maggi tablet for three people and two for six, without additional salt. Niang affirmed that all Nestlé products undergo regulatory checks by competent state bodies before market release, with analyses systematically conducted by authorized institutions. She added that Nestlé Senegal has not experienced any product recalls to date, attributing this to their strict adherence to regulatory and current standards. These statements come amidst growing public health focus in Senegal on the nutritional quality of processed foods, salt reduction, and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Must ReadThe World Bank has approved two additional financing packages for Senegal, totaling $180 million, equivalent to 103.4 billion CFA francs. These funds are aimed at strengthening rural connectivity and territorial development, ultimately benefiting hundreds of thousands of people by improving access to socio-economic services and boosting local economies. One financing package, approved on July 14, 2026, provides an additional $140 million for the Agricultural Production Zones Connectivity Project in Northern and Central Senegal PEZA. This brings the project's total investment to $470.8 million, directly benefiting approximately 570,000 people. This support, mobilized through the International Development Association IDA and supplemented by a $2 million contribution from the Senegalese government, builds on previous achievements, including the construction and upgrade of 414 km of resilient roads and improved access to socio-economic services for 350,000 people. It will extend these results to two key economic corridors: Koussanar-Koumpentoum and Tambacounda-Makha, where agriculture and livestock are primary activities. The second financing, approved on June 29, 2026, provides an additional $40 million for the Casamance Economic Development Project PDEC, which will now also include interventions in the Kédougou region. This new support increases the total investment to $85 million and is expected to benefit approximately 850,000 people in the Casamance and Kédougou regions. The
Lionel Messi, currently with Inter Miami, is a strong contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. Revised trophy rules no longer restrict eligibility to players in Europe, allowing him to compete despite playing in Major League Soccer. Bookmakers favor Messi for the 2026 award, raising questions about a player outside Europe winning football's top individual honor. The answer is yes; the rules do not prohibit it. Messi, at 39, continues to perform at a high level with Inter Miami and Argentina. He is among the top contenders for the award from France Football, with bookmakers listing him as a favorite. The debate about playing in MLS, considered less competitive than European leagues, being a handicap for the Ballon d'Or is addressed. Regulations confirm no geographical restriction; players are not required to play for a European club to be eligible. This perception stems from the trophy's history: until 1995, it was for European players only. From 1995 to 2006, all players were eligible but only if they played in a European league. Since 2007, this restriction was removed, making all professional footballers eligible regardless of their league. The 2022 reform emphasizes individual performance, collective achievements, and fair play over a sports season. Organizers have publicly stated that winning the Ballon d'Or without playing in Europe is possible, though historically rare. Messi made history in 2023 as the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while with an MLS club, Inter Miami,