African Update

New African Review - January 2013 issue  [10/02/13]

The euphoria of the New Year is behind us, but no doubt in many ways, this time finds most of us still reorienting in one way or another to one thing or another.More

South Africa's 1st And Only Black Billionaire To Donate Half Of His Wealth  [01/02/13]

South Africa's richest black man, Patrice Motsepe, has announced he is giving away half his wealth to improve the lives of the poor.The mining magnate said the money would be handled by the Motsepe Foundation to address education and health issues.More

Ghana inaugurates the 4th President in the 4th Republic  [22/01/13]

On 7th January 2013 a newly elected President in the person of John Dramani Mahama was sworn into office in Ghana as the 4th successive President in the 4th Republic of the country. Until his investiture, Mahama was the caretaker President following the demise in July 2012 of John Atta Mills, the then substantive President, to whom Mahama was the Vice. Elections were already due when he stepped into the shoes of Mills and on 10th December 2012 the Electoral Commission declared him winner of the elections and thus the clarion inauguration.More

Africa: The Back Yard of the Global Economy is Experiencing a Big Boom  [22/01/13]

While most the world is still recovering from the Great Recession, one region is going through an incredible boom. This discussion is not about Asia being powered by the Chinese engine, but about Africa, a continent that until recently was associated primarily with bloody civil wars, diseases and poverty. The region, which seemed to be only living off humanitarian aid organized by pop stars, now attracts international investors through business opportunities that are yielding promising returns.More

2013 African Cup of Nations - the coronation of odd years with even soccer  [17/01/13]

Only one year ago the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) thrilled soccer hungry enthusiasts with the crème de la crème of African football. That was in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January/February 2012. And just when the euphoria of it was beginning to settle in, AFCON is at it again, this time in no less a place than the venue of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa.

By holding the tournament in 2013, the 29th edition of AFCON marks a departure from the even years in which it has been held for years. We’re told the change in calendar to odd years was necessitated by the calendar of the World Cup. It clashes with that of AFCON when it comes around and AFCON has to make room to accommodate it.More

New York Times Names Accra Among Top Travel Destinations  [16/01/13]

One of the best newspapers in the world has named Accra as one of the top travel destinations for 2013. Ghana's capital is 4th on a list of '46 places to go in 2013' on its website.More

New Funding for Climate and Forest Protection  [16/01/13]

In a boost for global efforts to combat climate change and tropical deforestation, Finland, Germany, and Norway have each announced new financial contributions totaling approximately US$180 million to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).More

Africa can feed itself, World Bank official says  [16/01/13]

Africa can feed itself and and earn money from food exports, a recent report says.

For this to happen, African governments must change their food trade policies, World Bank Vice President for Africa Makhtar Diop said.

He spoke Wednesday at a discussion to launch a report by the World Bank, “Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing barriers to regional  Friday 1

trade in food staples.”More

Humanitas Afrika congratulates the African National Congress (ANC) for a successful national conference  [03/01/13]

Something good always comes out of South Africa in the midst of adversity. It is one country in which the propitious is cousin to the perilous, the miraculous conjoins the mundane and hope almost always makes nonsense of the hopeless. It is a self-redeeming country and the ANC encapsulates it all. There could not be a more eloquent testimonial than the recent 53rd national conference in December 2012.More

Ghana: a nation addicted to hyperbole or a country in democratic euphoria?  [03/01/13]

Very few political observers would disagree Ghana has carved a niche for itself as one of the most democratic countries in Africa today. Do not mind that it is currently mired in post elections brouhaha. It is a model of hope and ‘a good news story’ in a continent challenged by governance and often dismissed as irrelevance in international actorness. Located in troubled West Africa it stands the country even taller as a beacon of pedestal peace and exemplary stability.

One essential piece of evidence of this relative great democracy rests in its world acclaimed press freedom. And freedom of speech is no doubt a cardinal test every democracy has to pass to be respected as such or at least resemble one. Yet today, avid followers of the media in the West African country will indicate a nation on edge, constantly and sharply divided on issues, even issues that should otherwise unite them. It makes one wonder whether the character of the people is defined by hype or the country is in no mood of return from a date with democracy.More