Africa: The World's Breadbasket

This article discusses how Africa can become the future site where much food is grown to feed the rest of the world. A Hopeful picture.

Cameroonians Die in a Nigerian Church

T. B. Joshua is the name of an extremely popular Pentecostal preacher in Nigeria. People flock to his church from all over the world seeking health and well-being. This report is about the death of two young Cameroonians who embarked on this journey but died in the process of exorcism. It is, to say the least, a very sad state of affairs that churches are taking the place of hospitals in much of Africa.

South Africa's Ruling Elite Despoiling Their People

Is the South African ruling elite going the way of all ruling elites in post-colonial Africa? This outburst of rage against them by a trade union leader in the country seems to suggest so. If it is true that the South African ruling elites are getting rich on the sweat and blood of their own people, they will just be the latest example in the sad chapters unfolding in the life of the African postcolony. It will be a shame for the South African ruling elite to be robbing their own people when, during the apartheid years, these elites seemed to care so much about the oppressed of this same people.

No Ethnic Tensions in Tanzania?

This report points out how the ethnic tensions evident in other African countries, tensions that usually flare up in violence during elections, are absent in Tanzania, a country made up of many ethnic groups. This lack of tension is credited to the policies of Julius Nyerere who banned traditional chiefs, who are sometimes seen as symbols of division, the lack of preferential treatment of any ethnic group, and the prevalence of inter-ethnic marriages in Tanzania. These are claims that obviously need to be tested social scientifically to see if we here have elements that may contribute in reducing ethnic tensions elsewhere on the continent.

How Does A Failed State Look Like?

See it here.

George Ayittey's List of World's Dictators

The Ghanaian economist, George Ayittey, has his axe to grind with the world's strongmen (and all of the are men) in the Foreign Policy magazine list. Quite a number of them are from Africa. The list is currently making a wave in Ugandan politics because Museveni is on it.

Do-It-Yourself Foreign Aid

An informative piece from Nicholas Kristof. See rebuttals from Foreign Policy magazine here and another one here.

Africa Red in Corruption

The Transparency International Corruption Perception Index for 2010 is out. Of the 178 countries surveyed, an African country (Botswana) first shows up in 33rd position. Many of them are at the bottom of the pile. What message does this put across?

World Bank Apologizes for Displaying Offensive Images of Ghan

"the World Bank portrayed Ghana as a country full of hungry and miserable people." A vigilant Ghanaian journalist saw the spite and raised the alarm. Thank God for the Internet!

Brain Drain Helps Democracy . . .

In India and Mexico, say political scientists.

Ethiopian Famine Is Not Natural Disaster

An interesting book and review that challenge the portrayal of the famine that devastated Ethiopia decades ago as natural, rather than human-made, disaster.

Sex and the Strongman

A salacious and devastating story for Mugabe. It could be a more difficult battle to fight than all the others he has fought.

The Making of Africa's first Woman President

A well-written NYT story on Ellen John Sirleaf, Liberia's current president and the first elected woman president in Africa. The story fluctuates between inspiration and despair. I like Ellen as a strong woman but she should not be elected Liberia's president again. She promised to be president for one term only. Now, like other male presidents in Africa, she wants to squeak in a second. Before we know it, it will be a third, and a fourth, and so on, on to who knows how long. My position is not based on whether she has done a good or a poor job during her current tenure. It is simply based on the principle that if a person says they want to run only for one term, they should stick to that. It does not matter how good or even how poor a job they do. The Messiah complex must be uprooted in Africa. We do not need messiahs. We need people who simply make their honest contribution and then quit the scene for others. Period.

Finally, UNESCO Dumps Obiang!

Those who have been following this blog as no strangers to Mr. Obiang Nguema, the dictator of the tiny African country of Equatorial Guinea. To improve his image, he gave a science prize lump sum of $3 to UNESCO, a prize which was to carry his name. After months of vigorous criticism of this move, UNESCO is only now declining the gesture from this notorious dictator. For more on this fiasco, see this piece.

This is a different piece about the poor planning of African cities in the same blog.

First Black Mayor in the Eastern Bloc

A Ghanaian-born doctor, Mr. Bossman, becomes the first black mayor of the eastern block in the country of Slovenia.

Forced Marriages in Africa and the Men Who Promote Them

A Nigerian Senator and a father of a bride cut the deal; the court approves.

An African President Speaks: There is Life After the Presidency

Seeing African presidents who have hung onto power till death, one would be excused for thinking that there is no life after the presidency. Ghanaian former president, John Kufuor, gives the lie to that.

Empty Spaces in Cote d'Ivoire

There are empty spaces in many African countries, spaces where the reach of government is unknown. Such spaces are found in much of central and West Africa. Cote d'Ivoire, where rapacious gangs are currently running amok in the West of the country, is just the latest example.

Ethiopia in Washington, D.C.

Growth of an Ethiopian community in Washington, D.C., USA.

Ghanaian Farmers and Divine Chocolate

Ghanaian farmers' involvement in the transformation of cocoa to chocolate through Divine Chocolate encourages cocoa growing and improves the lives of communities.

How To Invest in Africa: Learning from the Pro

Which are the strategic areas of investment in Africa today? Should Africa "suffer from a low self-esteem"? Will Africa become a major supplier of food to the world in the future? These questions and more are addressed in this CNN video.

Of Miracles and Human Capacity

This story is not particularly about Africa but it is relevant to a flourishing Africa because of its discourse on miracles and human ingenuity. Even though the two do not need to be so divided as evidenced in the article, its message is still relevant to contemprary Africa. After all, I remember a wise African who once borrowed this expression from a wise Englishman: "Who can know Africa who only Africa knows?"

The Crisis Caravan

A naysayer to humanitarian aid. "Sowing horror to reap aid, and reaping aid to sow horror, Polman argues, is 'the logic of the humanitarian era.' In case after case, a persuasive case can be made that, overall, humanitarian aid did as much or even more harm than good."
Read more: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2010/10/11/101011crat_atlarge_gourevitch#ixzz12m3UWJLQ

Daily Life in Dakar: In Pictures

NYT Lens column.

Cold War and Colonial Solidarities Remain

South Africa, one of the giants of Africa and currently a two-year member of the Security Council of the UN, seems to be maintaining Cold War ties and solidarity with African leaders of questionable reputation, to the annoyance of some commentators. South Africa's current attitude is blamed on its current president, Jacob Zuma, with the suggestion that Nelson Mandela was far more concerned about promoting human rights than maintaining questionable alliances. Suggesting that  Mandela's concern for human rights could tromp his desire to maintain Cold War alliances seems an overstatement of the case. During a visit to South Africa when he was President of the United States, Bill Clinton had complained about South Africa's ties with Libya. To the raucous laughter of those attending a press conference given by Clinton and Mandela during this visit, Mandela unpolitically told Clinton that the ANC government would not abandon those who came to its aid during its fight against apartheid. That meant maintaining continuous friendship with Libya. Zuma's much criticized actions may be counter productive to both the interest of South Africa and Africa as a whole but it is not against Mandela's views. African countries in general and South Africa in particular may want to rethink the strategy of simply standing against the West, as some did during the Cold War and paid heavily for it, even when this is not in their interest.

How to Reform Scammers in Nigeria

A very informative article on how some scammers are being reformed in Nigeria. They are being helped to use the skills they have developed as scammers for legitimate employment. This will not bring an end to scamming, which will go on for as long as needy and gullible human beings remain, but it will limit the number of people who ply the illegitimate trade.

Sumo in Nigeria

A sign of the increasing dynamism of African societies that this Japanese sport has been introduced in Nigeria by a Nigerian.

The Tradition and Science of Yam in Nigeria

The New Yam Festival is an old tradition among the Ibos of Nigeria reported in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. This tradition continues today amidst scientific concerns about the future of yam.

Free Newspapers in Mozambique

An ingenious idea to distribute newspapers for free in Mozambique. Find out how here.

Abandoning HIV Treatment For Religion in Uganda: A Bad Idea!

Abandoning HIV treatment for religious cures, as is currently the case in Uganda, is a bad idea in any universe. Preachers who promote such a move are simply irresponsible and dangerous to the health of the continent as a whole. What is wrong with continuing such treatments while practicing religious devotions at the same time?

What's the Need for Elections in Guinea Conakry?

An interesting situation is developing in Guinea Conakry. The two candidates vying for the presidency of the country have agreed to include each other in their government, whatever the outcome of the election. Now, this may be a very good move to bring unity in the country; but one may begin to wonder the price that is paid for such unity. One wonders whether such a deal is intended to serve the interest of the people or that of politicians who just want to hang on to power for longer. Or could it be that a new form of electoral politics is emerging in that country? Let's wait and see.

The Politics of Aid: America's "Donation" to Africa

Read this NYT article and try to determine how this "donation" is supposed to work. Who is it supposed to benefit? African schools or American medical schools? Africans? Americans? Both? Who benefits more? Intriguing, this business of aid.

Sudan May Be Additional Source of Food For Egypt

Egypt is signing an agreement with Sudan to grow cereals in Sudan. This is one way African countries can build sufficient trust for the eventual unity of the continent. African Countries have more in common than is usually admitted. The legacy of long relationship between Egypt and Sudan continues.

A Sinner Not A Saint: The Mandela Letters and Papers

Mandela's musings about himself and his relationships appear in a book pieced together from letters and papers he wrote before, during, and after his imprisonment. In one of these papers, he wrote:
"One issue that deeply worried me in prison was the false image I unwittingly projected to the outside world; of being regarded as a saint. I never was one, even on the basis of the earthly definition of a saint as a sinner who keeps trying." See this "60 Minutes" report on the book here.

Unesco Must Rescind Tainted Obiang Prize

After the international outcry against accepting the prize money which the dictator of Equatorial Guinea has given Unesco, one would think that the organization would not have much difficulty rejecting the tainted gift. Unesco, however, seems to be dragging its feet about rejecting the money. Of the many reasons that have been given why the money should not be accepted, a basic one is that the money is stolen money. Obiang Nguema, the dictator of Equatorial Guinea, has stolen money from his poor people in his thirty years of misrule and now wants to whitewash his name by establishing a prize through Unesco. This money must be rejected as stolen money. Taking this money says that Unesco is encouraging theft by people in high places in Africa.

Senegal Steps in to Help Haiti

In an important move by an African country, Senegal steps in to help Haiti, a country still suffering from the earthquake that devastated it earlier this year. Find out how here.

Desmond Tutu Retires

Desmond Tutu, the famous former archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and consummate politician, pulls back from the limelight today, at age 79. He has been a voice for peace and justice in the world, a true elder, a pastor in the true sense of the word.

Better to "Face the Truth About Our Weaknesses" - Jerry Rawlings

In assessing achievement of the past 50 years of African independence, former Ghanaian president, Jerry Rawlings, made this insightful remark: "the point is to be able to face the truth about our weaknesses, to take each other a little bit more seriously and to be able to take on the world especially other more powerful countries from a position of strength and not persistently from a position of weakness". It is a remark to be taken seriously.

African Faces of American Football

Prominent Africans in American football: Nnamdi Asomugha (Nigeria), plays for Oakland Raiders; Ndamukong Suh (Cameroon), plays for Detroit Lions; Madieu Williams (Sierra Leone), plays for Minnesota Vikings.

The Debate Continues: Of What Good is Aid to Africa?

See parts of it here and here. Also see the new book, Why Africa is Poor: And What Africans Can Do About It (Penguin, 2010) by Greg Mills. See a synopsis of the book here and a video of the author speaking about the book here.

Gamu Nhengu: The Sensation, The Difficult Story

Before she became a sensation on the UK talent show X Factor, Gamu Nhengu was an unknown 18-year old daughter of a single mother from Zimbabwe. Gamu and her mother had been living on a student visa in Scotland but the visa has expired and they have been denied extension. Now the Home Office says they must return to Zimbabwe. This order has ended her run on the talent show which is the equivalent of American Idol. This might not have happened if she had come from a wealthier and prosperous country. Just an aspect of the indignities Africans suffer from a supposedly globalized and globalizing world. What may become of Gamu's vision is up in the air for now. See more of Gamu's story here and here.

Africa: Doing Better Economically, Doing Worse in Governance

So says the Mo Ibrahim Foundation 2010 Index. This Index is one of the best ways to assess how African countries are doing economically and politically. It measures aspects such as safety and rule of law, political participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development. According to the Index, Mauritius ranks #1 and Somalia ranks last, of the 53 countries surveyed. South Africa is #5, Nigeria #40. See the Index here. By the look of things, African countries seem to be following the model of China - limited political participation, enhanced economic development? But must the two be mutually exclusive?

Rebranding the African Diaspora, Rebranding Africa

There is an increasing number of media networks in the Diaspora aimed at addressing issues of interest to Africans in the Diaspora even as they bring issues pertinent to the well-being of the African continent to the fore. Ben TV from the UK is one of them. We still need more serious media outlets that will shine the critical light on crucial social, cultural, economic and political issues from both the perspectives of the Diaspora and those on the continent. This will seem to be one of the best ways those in the Diaspora and in the continent may contribute in the transformation of the continent. Imagine credible TV, radio or new media outlets based in the Diaspora that can hold African leaders accountable, especially on their foreign visits. This may hopefully break the cycle of African leaders' penchant to grant audience to media that do not even push the interests of Africans, like this one, especially when they visit overseas.

Rethinking Darfur

In spite of the apparently persistent spotlight placed on Darfur, the tragedy of that space is still with us. Mamood Mamdani, a respected African political scientist, shines the light on why this is still the case in a new book.

The Debate Continues: Of What Good is Aid to Africa?

The debate about aid to Africa continues in The Economist.

Is There A Second Genocide In The Great Lakes Region?

A recent UN report about the possible genocide against the Hutus in the Congo is raising anger especially in Rwanda and Uganda.

It's Brain Circulation; Not Brain Drain

A Ghanaian economist at New York University, Yaw Nyarko, argues that rather than talking of brain drain, we should instead talk of brain circulation. Educated Africans who leave the continent for greener pastures abroad are not just robbing the continent of valuable talents; they, in turn, give back to Africa in ways that contribute to the growth and well being of the people there. Listen to his comments here and read some responses here.

The Elders Pledge to End Child Marriage

Child marriage is a bane that upends the future of many young girls around the world. The Elders have promised to fight to end the practice, describing it as "a major brake on progress." While The Elders may see child marriage as an appalling practice, they must remember that the elders of many societies around the world still see it as relevant. The Elders must look for ways to reach these elders.

Women Cab Drivers New In Egypt

Early this year women cab drivers started appearing in Cairo, Egypt, breaking the male domination of the profession.

The Parable of Morphine

A recent article from The Economist suggests that Africa needs more morphine to reduce the pain that arise from various illnesses. The article discusses how many in Africa live and die in deep pain that might be alleviated if they could access morphine. The lack of morphine may however be seen as parable for the lack of means to alleviate the painfully difficult lives that many still live on the continent.