The diocese of Abomey, in southern Benin, is the only one to appoint women as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, seeking to break away from traditional gender exclusions

A cross-border public health campaign was launched with Togo at Hilla-Condji and Sanvee-Condji border crossings; focused on reproduction, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention, it gives healthcare access to remote communities where services are limited

Celebrations for the International Bamboo Day, set by the UN for 18 September, have been organized by Benin Forestry administration and the NGO Africa Bambou until today to highlight the species' importance for conservation and local economy

Potential beneficiaries of loans for farmers, or 'credit agricole', a key tool, are calling on authorities to streamline the process: some producers manage to obtain credit from decentralized financial systems, others are stuck with collateral as obstacle

American filmmaker Spike Lee and wife, producer and author Tonya Lewis Lee, have been appointed ambassadors for African-Americans in the US; their role aims to strengthen ties, promote cultural tourism and support reconnection of diaspora to their roots