Research done into drug abuse among the youth of Rwanda has had significant impact in that country, not only changing its policy direction, but also giving rise to interventions by civil society and other stakeholders, ultimately leading to changes in behaviour at grassroots level. Many factors must have played a role in the success of the uptake of this research done last year and concluded earlier this year at the Kigali Health Institute, including the fact that the study was done in collaboration with the country’s ministry of youth, which one may assume indicates commitment on the part of the government. But the effective communication of the research findings to segmented audiences had to have played a major role in this success story.

by Prof Naftali Mollel

Despite impressive economic growth over the last 15 years, South Africa’s Limpopo Province is still characterised by high levels of unemployment and poverty. An innovative programme underpinned by research done at the Agricultural Research Council, Nguni Breeders’ Society and the University of Limpopo can help stimulate the economy by creating a substantial number of new jobs. The Limpopo IDC Nguni Cattle Development Programme entails the production of beef through the entrepreneurial development of rural cattle farmers into beef producers across the whole beef production value chain.

Innovative and visionary thinking combined with inspired leadership and mobilisation can go a long way in bringing relief to Africa’s poor. But is that enough?

Take the case of Ethiopia’s Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), where poor hygiene and sanitation are the main causes of ill health. In 2003, the region’s Bureau of Health launched a community health strategy that aimed to educate households on hygiene and sanitation and promote the building of household latrines.