African Update

Africa Day 2014 Press Release  [19/05/14]

Africa, a Continent of Cultural Richness, Progress and New Opportunities

Once again Africa Day is around the corner on 25th May. The Day comes at a time when most economic analysts are of the view that Africa is the last frontier in the global economy. It is a resource rich continent in a resource hungry world and has thus reignited the imagination of the world as a fresh promise of potential prosperity.

In fact, there is a sense of both consensus outside the continent and euphoria within that Africa has effectively put behind it years of being the world’s economic pariah and has been attracting new waves of seductive attention. It has consistently registered some of the highest GDP growth rates in the world, partly due to foreign direct investments but mostly because of a refreshing climate of good governance underpinned by the rule of law. The new script therefore is that Africa has embarked on a definitive path to economic independence.More

New African Tribute to Komla Afeke Dumor  [20/02/14]

Komla Afeke Dumor, named as one of New African’s 100 Most Influential Africans in 2013, is no more. The Ghanaian broadcaster, who “played a singular role in transforming the coverage of Africa, not only for the BBC but across broadcasting”, according to one BBC boss, died suddenly in London on 18 January, aged 41. Our editor, Baffour Ankomah, a fellow countryman, reports on a life cut short, but very well spent.More

The Plight Of Africa’s Resources  [17/02/14]

Muffled In Crusts Of Croaking Whispers

Oh Aridon, bring back my wealth from rogue vaults/legendary witness of comings and goings/memory god my mentor.

This winning poem by Nigerian poet Tanure Ojaide in the BBC Africa poetry competition, published in the book Fate of Vultures (Heinemann, 1989), sums up the feeling of African helplessness in the face of unrelenting plunder of its natural resources.More

Nelson Mandela Goes To His Ancestors  [03/01/14]

He sacrificed a glittering career as a lawyer, sacrificed what was arguably the most beautiful wife in the world, sacrificed his children, and was prepared to sacrifice his life, leaving them all behind. All for the freedom of the far greater majority of the oppressed. That was Nelson Mandela.More

‘Africa’s economic growth does not have one answer’  [29/12/13]

Kenya’s former minister of industry, Mukhisa Kituyi, was appointed as UNCTAD’s secretary-general in September 2013 making him among the highest-placed Kenyan diplomats in the world. He is only the second African secretary-general of UNCTAD, after Ghana’s Kenneth K.S. Dadzie held the post between 1986 and 1994. Stephen Williams went to Geneva to interview him.More

The Year Of Pan-Africanism And The African Renaissance  [30/06/13]

“We are favoured with the opportunity to reflect on the road traveled by Africans towards securing unity, prosperity and peace.”

AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

On May 25, 1963, the founding fathers of African liberation in met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and established the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The principal aim of OAU was to see to the full liberation (decolonisation) of the entire African continent from north to south (an aim that was fulfilled with the fall of apartheid in South Africa). But it was also to safeguard other interests of member states for the good of Africa as stipulated in its Charter’s fundamental principles:More

First Swahili edition of Human Development Report launched in Kenya  [15/06/13]

2013 Report in print and on line in record 21 languages

Kilifi, Kenya, 12 June 2013 - A Swahili summary edition of the 2013 Human Development Report was launched here today by the United Nation Development Programme, marking the first time that UNDP’s flagship report has been available in the most widely spoken African language.More

Achebe Lessons For Africa  [11/06/13]

Chinua Achebe will be really missed. Not because of Things Fall Apart, but despite. There were many words of wisdom he wrote during his illustrious career that should not be lost in grief.

He was the one who opined “ If you want to plunder your neighbour’s house, first hire a good storyteller”. He was right.More

Why I admire Chinua Achebe (1930-2013)  [09/06/13]

The great Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe quoted the Czech writer Milan Kundera´s comment: „ The novel is an investigation into human existence…(It) proclaims no truth, no morality…“ (New York Times Book Review, 24 October  1982) and in his essay The Writer and His Community (Hopes and Impediments, Heinemann , London 1988, p. 37) he added: „If Europe discovered relativity in human affairs rather late, does it follow that everybody else did? And finally, can anyone seriously suggest that the novel proclaims no morality?“More

Nelson Mandela: The Last Great African King Receives an Early Birthday Present  [07/06/13]

PRESS RELEASE

11 May 2013 - Johannesburg, South Africa

Global icon Nelson Mandela officially received an early birthday gift: a copy of the concise classic 100 GREATEST AFRICAN KINGS AND QUEENS. He turns 95 on 18 JULY.

Receiving the book on his behalf, Dr Makaziwe Mandela (60), the oldest surviving child of Nelson Mandela recounted her lineage and what defined his father.More