By Paul Ndiho
May 27, 2011
Last year, Ghana became the newest African oil exporter, turning on the taps to new revenues. Now, a private job-training center in Ghana is preparing young people to create a qualified labor pool for the country's newest big industry.
In December, 2010, the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, launched the country's first oil delivery, as Ghana joined the ranks of African petroleum producers. However the country did not have enough skilled people to take on the challenges of this new industry. Today, a training program in Takoradi, western Ghana has young people kitted up and ready to learn skills necessary to be part of the country's fastest growing industry.
"It’s quite hectic, standing in the sun always trying to learn what is going on but it's a form of exercise, a form of a training, so its, we hope to achieve and know more. "
Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited teaches welding, pipe fitting, electrical engineering and specialized construction to about 3-thousand students. Companies like Sigma-Base will be integral in attaining the government's goal of 90 percent local participation in 'strategic areas' of the oil and gas industry by 2020.
"Since I have the experience, I decided to start something, engage the youth of Ghana meaningfully, train them, get them ready so that when the industry opens, they will have something to do, they will not be idle, and therefore we will not have any frustrated youth visiting us with mayhem."
Ghana’s initial production of 120,000 barrels per day ranks the West African Nation as sub-Saharan Africa's seventh largest producer, with output set to double within three years.
"I heard in the oil industry, there is a bigger money, the more you work hard, the more you earn , so I hope to earn big then further my education then, be able to take care of my family."
The International Monetary Fund forecasts growth at 13 percent this year, with oil production accounting for around half of that. The country's budget shows it will earn about 400 million dollars from oil this year, although the figure is likely to be higher if oil prices remain high. Samuel Agyeman an award winning journalist visiting from Ghana, says that unlike other oil producing countries in Africa, Ghana is likely to benefit from its petroleum revenues.
“The IMF report states that Ghana compared with other relatively oil producing countries is likely to really utilize its oil find. The reason being that we have found this oil at the time the country is well built in democracy and much aware of the challenges of the discovery of oil. So this has come at a time where people are much cautious about what to do to prevent the natural resource from being a curse but a blessing for the people itself. And if politicians stick to their promises to ensure that oil revenue is properly accounted for then I am sure we will make a head way.”
Mr. Agyeman observes that it’s a good thing for this educational institution like Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited to be set up in Takoradi.
"I recall that not too long ago, I covered the Chiefs of Takoradi who had gone to Parliament to present a proportion for a 10% fund set aside for the development Western Region. So I am sure that an educational institution like this will be good news for the people because at the end of the day local people are going to graduating from this school and working in oil companies unlike a situation where expatriates will come in to take over the jobs and leave locals unemployed or doing odd jobs."
Analysts say if the oil money is used properly, the resource could be a game-changer for Ghana, helping to transform its aid-reliant economy to one on a par with nations such as Egypt or Iran.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Passport to Africa
By Paul Ndiho
May 20, 2011
Africa is a dynamic continent with diverse peoples, rhythms, vibrant activity, sensual spices and an immensely rich culture. A festival showcasing African culture begins Friday (5/20) here at Washington's National Museum of Africa Art.
Passport Africa is growing in stature every year, celebrating positive attributes of Africa that are rarely portrayed in mainstream media. This year, I Dream of Africa Entertainment, or IDOA, is putting together African-fused events in the Washington metro area. Seaward Cooper, originally from Liberia, is one of the organizers.
“Passport to Africa is a great celebration of African culture. If you are intrigued about the different things that Africans doing in the United States, especially in the DC Metropolitan area, and you want to take advantage of that, it would be a good way for you to come and try some Kenyan food, Liberian food, Ghanaian food, try wines from different places in South Africa, that you may have never heard of, but this is just to introduce people to Africa. I think it’s a great celebration.”
When Passport to Africa started, its goal was to reach out to young Africa professionals, but now it also promotes African business. The weeklong festival is dedicated to vendors selling everything from original African clothing, to artifacts and colorful handcrafted jewelry from West Africa.
“This gives local artisans an opportunity to showcase what they've been working on and also gives people an opportunity to buy things they might not have come across before, you know, things that you aren't going to find in your local mall or shops but these designers are here.”
Over the years, Passport Africa has grown to a vast audience and people from different demographics are attracted to the event. Mr. Cooper says the week culminates with Washington’s largest white so-called "white party" at a local nightclub.
“What the white party is… is that people come dressed in white and it's put together by IDOA Entertainment and BCBG Productions. This is the 6th year we've done this party and it is a great dance party. We have Africans come from all over the country for this, people as far as Canada and Europe, and it’s a great event. The music is African-themed throughout the whole night, a great classy crowd and it's just a fun time, a good way to start the summer.”
Fans of Passport to Africa say they feel that there is a need to expose Americans to African culture. And they say that if Americans experience that culture, maybe they might develop an interest in going to Africa, or giving to help the continen
May 20, 2011
Africa is a dynamic continent with diverse peoples, rhythms, vibrant activity, sensual spices and an immensely rich culture. A festival showcasing African culture begins Friday (5/20) here at Washington's National Museum of Africa Art.
Passport Africa is growing in stature every year, celebrating positive attributes of Africa that are rarely portrayed in mainstream media. This year, I Dream of Africa Entertainment, or IDOA, is putting together African-fused events in the Washington metro area. Seaward Cooper, originally from Liberia, is one of the organizers.
“Passport to Africa is a great celebration of African culture. If you are intrigued about the different things that Africans doing in the United States, especially in the DC Metropolitan area, and you want to take advantage of that, it would be a good way for you to come and try some Kenyan food, Liberian food, Ghanaian food, try wines from different places in South Africa, that you may have never heard of, but this is just to introduce people to Africa. I think it’s a great celebration.”
When Passport to Africa started, its goal was to reach out to young Africa professionals, but now it also promotes African business. The weeklong festival is dedicated to vendors selling everything from original African clothing, to artifacts and colorful handcrafted jewelry from West Africa.
“This gives local artisans an opportunity to showcase what they've been working on and also gives people an opportunity to buy things they might not have come across before, you know, things that you aren't going to find in your local mall or shops but these designers are here.”
Over the years, Passport Africa has grown to a vast audience and people from different demographics are attracted to the event. Mr. Cooper says the week culminates with Washington’s largest white so-called "white party" at a local nightclub.
“What the white party is… is that people come dressed in white and it's put together by IDOA Entertainment and BCBG Productions. This is the 6th year we've done this party and it is a great dance party. We have Africans come from all over the country for this, people as far as Canada and Europe, and it’s a great event. The music is African-themed throughout the whole night, a great classy crowd and it's just a fun time, a good way to start the summer.”
Fans of Passport to Africa say they feel that there is a need to expose Americans to African culture. And they say that if Americans experience that culture, maybe they might develop an interest in going to Africa, or giving to help the continen
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
TUNISIAN YOUTH SPEAK OUT
By Paul Ndiho
May 17, 2011
Tunisian youth are playing active roles and have recently become more politicized as they continue to assert themselves, and demand for democratic change. Today, more young people are joining activist movements and taking a keen interest in government affairs.
Following the youth-led revolt that ousted Tunisia’s long time leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, young people are mobilizing to try to move the country toward a functioning democracy.
Many observers say the overthrow of Ben Ali in January helped break down much of the fear across the Middle East and North Africa in places with repressive regimes. Across the region, students and pro-democracy activists continue to clash with and push authorities for reforms and concessions, often resulting in protests spilling over into violence.
"We, the students are part of the national movement; we are an integral part of the national movement."
Recent protest in Tunisia has prompted the government to implement a night-time curfew to control the streets. Around half of Tunisia's population of 10 million is under 30 years of age. This protester says the voice of youths should not be ignored.
"We will continue to demand change until our demands are all met."
Some in Tunisia are calling for an end to protests, while others, including state television, are saying some troublesome youths have been paid money to cause havoc.
"Some people are using Tunisian youths who have little political knowledge. It may be a particular party or movement who use them to further their goals."
The National Youth Forum in Tunisia is bringing young political activists together. Political debates and party meetings were a taboo under the government of the ousted president, Ben Ali. Yu’ad Bilrajab, a youth leader, says the change in the political leadership means that the youth no longer have to fear open meetings.
"We are all youth who have gathered together despite not knowing each other. (Former President Zine el-Abidine) Ben Ali's strength was in separating us and now this is bringing us together."
"What we need is serious and real initiatives, opposite to what we have today. We can express our ideas and demand the youth to participate and present initiatives to help move Tunisia forward."
Other activists in Tunisia say they believe there is an even bigger role to be played by their generation to help ensure their nation makes a successful transition to democracy.
May 17, 2011
Tunisian youth are playing active roles and have recently become more politicized as they continue to assert themselves, and demand for democratic change. Today, more young people are joining activist movements and taking a keen interest in government affairs.
Following the youth-led revolt that ousted Tunisia’s long time leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, young people are mobilizing to try to move the country toward a functioning democracy.
Many observers say the overthrow of Ben Ali in January helped break down much of the fear across the Middle East and North Africa in places with repressive regimes. Across the region, students and pro-democracy activists continue to clash with and push authorities for reforms and concessions, often resulting in protests spilling over into violence.
"We, the students are part of the national movement; we are an integral part of the national movement."
Recent protest in Tunisia has prompted the government to implement a night-time curfew to control the streets. Around half of Tunisia's population of 10 million is under 30 years of age. This protester says the voice of youths should not be ignored.
"We will continue to demand change until our demands are all met."
Some in Tunisia are calling for an end to protests, while others, including state television, are saying some troublesome youths have been paid money to cause havoc.
"Some people are using Tunisian youths who have little political knowledge. It may be a particular party or movement who use them to further their goals."
The National Youth Forum in Tunisia is bringing young political activists together. Political debates and party meetings were a taboo under the government of the ousted president, Ben Ali. Yu’ad Bilrajab, a youth leader, says the change in the political leadership means that the youth no longer have to fear open meetings.
"We are all youth who have gathered together despite not knowing each other. (Former President Zine el-Abidine) Ben Ali's strength was in separating us and now this is bringing us together."
"What we need is serious and real initiatives, opposite to what we have today. We can express our ideas and demand the youth to participate and present initiatives to help move Tunisia forward."
Other activists in Tunisia say they believe there is an even bigger role to be played by their generation to help ensure their nation makes a successful transition to democracy.
THE FIGHT AGAINST SOMALIA'S AL-SHABBAB
By Paul Ndiho
May 17, 2011
Somalia’s Transitional Government says it’s making some progress in stabilizing the security situation, but a lot more needs to be done in the fight against al-Shabaab.
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Prime Minister of Somalia, says the al-Qaida-linked militia group al-Shabaab is vowing to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by continuing kill and attack innocent civilians. Al-Shabab is trying to overthrow Somalia's transitional government and set up a state based on a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The Somali- American prime minister says his government and Africa Union troops have boosted security around the capital Mogadishu, and are now expanding to other areas under their control.
“We're making some progress and a lot of things need to be done. In a short period when we are in office, we have improved the security situation, we increased the revenue that enable us to pay salaries for all civil servants and the military, and, of course, to provide food for our military, medical service and we’re now to ready to face the enemy.”
Mohamed Farmajo says his government has made some significant gains in trying to reach out to young militants in the last couple of months and more than 150 al-Shabaab militia fighters have defected and joined the government forces.
“We have received calls from those youths asking where they can come if they want to defect. And also we communicate through the air, radios, and assure them that they will be welcome and provided with salary and education. We also tell them that this is not Somali culture or Islamic culture blow up and kill innocent people.”
Al-Shabaab controls much of southern and central Somalia but has lost some ground in recent weeks to a government offensive. Last week, officials in Somalia's Puntland region said at least 26 people were killed in fighting between government soldiers and Islamist insurgents. Basto Ahmed, a US-based Somali community leader observes that the transitional government is making progress in the fight against Al- Shabbab.
“This government with the short period of time they have accomplished a lot. In other words, this is the first government which clearly has some sort of success on the ground against Al- Shabaab and against these terrorist groups that are in Somalia. They have made some significant gains; they've only been in office for the last 8 months.”
Ahmed says that the killing of bin Laden will diminish al-Qaida's ability to support the Somali militant group.
“We hope that their funds, their economical funds from al-Shabaab came from al-Qaida. As of matter of fact, Somali news and Somali websites, they had a meeting today in a city called Afgooye and they declared themselves, the al-Shabaab leadership declared that the death of Bin Laden will be loss, because they used to get training from al-Qaida and because they used to get funds from al-Qaida."
David Smock, Senior Vice President for the U.S. Institute of Peace, says that though African Union and Somali forces have made headway against al-Shabaab, the group may not be deterred by the death of the al Qaida leader.
“I think al-Shabaab, even though it's facilitated with al Qaida, I don't think it would significantly be influenced or held back by the death of bin Laden. I will expect al-Shabaab to carry on with his nastiness.”
Critics are urging Somalia's transitional federal government to engage young militias in a dialogue aimed at integrating them into the government forces, and where possible, rehabilitate militants who have caused so much suffering in Somalia.
May 17, 2011
Somalia’s Transitional Government says it’s making some progress in stabilizing the security situation, but a lot more needs to be done in the fight against al-Shabaab.
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Prime Minister of Somalia, says the al-Qaida-linked militia group al-Shabaab is vowing to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by continuing kill and attack innocent civilians. Al-Shabab is trying to overthrow Somalia's transitional government and set up a state based on a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The Somali- American prime minister says his government and Africa Union troops have boosted security around the capital Mogadishu, and are now expanding to other areas under their control.
“We're making some progress and a lot of things need to be done. In a short period when we are in office, we have improved the security situation, we increased the revenue that enable us to pay salaries for all civil servants and the military, and, of course, to provide food for our military, medical service and we’re now to ready to face the enemy.”
Mohamed Farmajo says his government has made some significant gains in trying to reach out to young militants in the last couple of months and more than 150 al-Shabaab militia fighters have defected and joined the government forces.
“We have received calls from those youths asking where they can come if they want to defect. And also we communicate through the air, radios, and assure them that they will be welcome and provided with salary and education. We also tell them that this is not Somali culture or Islamic culture blow up and kill innocent people.”
Al-Shabaab controls much of southern and central Somalia but has lost some ground in recent weeks to a government offensive. Last week, officials in Somalia's Puntland region said at least 26 people were killed in fighting between government soldiers and Islamist insurgents. Basto Ahmed, a US-based Somali community leader observes that the transitional government is making progress in the fight against Al- Shabbab.
“This government with the short period of time they have accomplished a lot. In other words, this is the first government which clearly has some sort of success on the ground against Al- Shabaab and against these terrorist groups that are in Somalia. They have made some significant gains; they've only been in office for the last 8 months.”
Ahmed says that the killing of bin Laden will diminish al-Qaida's ability to support the Somali militant group.
“We hope that their funds, their economical funds from al-Shabaab came from al-Qaida. As of matter of fact, Somali news and Somali websites, they had a meeting today in a city called Afgooye and they declared themselves, the al-Shabaab leadership declared that the death of Bin Laden will be loss, because they used to get training from al-Qaida and because they used to get funds from al-Qaida."
David Smock, Senior Vice President for the U.S. Institute of Peace, says that though African Union and Somali forces have made headway against al-Shabaab, the group may not be deterred by the death of the al Qaida leader.
“I think al-Shabaab, even though it's facilitated with al Qaida, I don't think it would significantly be influenced or held back by the death of bin Laden. I will expect al-Shabaab to carry on with his nastiness.”
Critics are urging Somalia's transitional federal government to engage young militias in a dialogue aimed at integrating them into the government forces, and where possible, rehabilitate militants who have caused so much suffering in Somalia.
Friday, May 6, 2011
IMF ON AFRICA'S HIGH FOOD AND FUELS PRICES
BY Paul Ndiho
May 6, 2011
The International Monetary fund (IMF) says Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from the global financial slowdown is well under way, with growth in most countries now close to the highs of the mid-2000s. Growth this year is expected to be robust.
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa has largely returned to the levels that preceded the global financial downturn, according to the IMF's Director for Africa:
“Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from the global economic downturn is proceeding quite well. Our best estimates at this point is that in 2011 we’ll see growth approach some 5-1/2 percent, up from the 5 percent growth achieved in 2010. All of this, of course, depends on the global economic recovery continuing to proceed as well. And as you know, there are some uncertainties surrounding that,”
The IMF's report on economic growth in Africa accounts for higher average oil prices which would result in higher import bills for most countries in the region.
Also, a surge in food prices has begun to nudge up consumer prices across the continent. In some countries, inflation has not increased much, reflecting good local harvests, according to Antoinette Sayeh.
“So far the impact on domestic inflation in many countries has been limited. Some countries have had very good harvests and so have been able to see mitigation on the inflation rate because of that. Our sense, though, is that in the next few months many countries, if not most countries, will see, certainly from the food shock and also from the fuel shock, high pressures on inflation that they will then have to respond to.”
Inflation rates are on the rise throughout east Africa. People are unhappy over the rapid increases in food and fuel prices, In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda the cost of food and fuel has increased sharply over the past few months. The high prices have triggered a wave of street protests as people call on their leaders to help ease the cost of living. Sayeh says governments should figure out how to help those who need it the most.
“In the short term, of course, with these increased food and fuel prices it is important for governments to look at their budgets and see what room they have to implement targeted initiatives to mitigate the impact on the poor. Of course, they have less space this time around than they did in 2008, so it’s very, very important to make sure that they avoid very costly initiatives and that those initiatives are properly targeted on those who need help most, and those are the poor.”
The IMF urges low income but growing African countries to focus on medium-term debt sustainability, better spending, and on finding room to help vulnerable households affected by higher food and fuel prices.
May 6, 2011
The International Monetary fund (IMF) says Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from the global financial slowdown is well under way, with growth in most countries now close to the highs of the mid-2000s. Growth this year is expected to be robust.
Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa has largely returned to the levels that preceded the global financial downturn, according to the IMF's Director for Africa:
“Sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery from the global economic downturn is proceeding quite well. Our best estimates at this point is that in 2011 we’ll see growth approach some 5-1/2 percent, up from the 5 percent growth achieved in 2010. All of this, of course, depends on the global economic recovery continuing to proceed as well. And as you know, there are some uncertainties surrounding that,”
The IMF's report on economic growth in Africa accounts for higher average oil prices which would result in higher import bills for most countries in the region.
Also, a surge in food prices has begun to nudge up consumer prices across the continent. In some countries, inflation has not increased much, reflecting good local harvests, according to Antoinette Sayeh.
“So far the impact on domestic inflation in many countries has been limited. Some countries have had very good harvests and so have been able to see mitigation on the inflation rate because of that. Our sense, though, is that in the next few months many countries, if not most countries, will see, certainly from the food shock and also from the fuel shock, high pressures on inflation that they will then have to respond to.”
Inflation rates are on the rise throughout east Africa. People are unhappy over the rapid increases in food and fuel prices, In Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda the cost of food and fuel has increased sharply over the past few months. The high prices have triggered a wave of street protests as people call on their leaders to help ease the cost of living. Sayeh says governments should figure out how to help those who need it the most.
“In the short term, of course, with these increased food and fuel prices it is important for governments to look at their budgets and see what room they have to implement targeted initiatives to mitigate the impact on the poor. Of course, they have less space this time around than they did in 2008, so it’s very, very important to make sure that they avoid very costly initiatives and that those initiatives are properly targeted on those who need help most, and those are the poor.”
The IMF urges low income but growing African countries to focus on medium-term debt sustainability, better spending, and on finding room to help vulnerable households affected by higher food and fuel prices.
American Analysts Take On Uganda’s Strongman
May 6, 2011
President Yoweri Museveni has been the strongman in Uganda for 25 years. When Museveni came to power, he was thought by the United States and other Western powers to be one of a new generation of African leaders who would resist dictatorial rule in favor of democracy.
When he became Uganda's president in 1986, Yoweri Museveni was an immediate U-S favorite, according to David Throup with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, here in Washington:
“Certainly for the first ten years U-S relations with Uganda were extremely close. Museveni was seen as a great improvement over former Ugandan leaders. accepted structural adjustment as proposed by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. And from 1986 to 1996 relations with Uganda were very good. In the late ’l990’s, early 2000’s when Uganda got involved in Rwanda and northeastern Congo relations became more problematic but I still think Museveni was seen as a positive force in East Africa and the wider regional politics and relations remained good."
Nii Akuetteh is the founder of the Democracy and Conflict Research Institute in Ghana. He says U.S.-Uganda relations, despite recent strains, continue to be good, for at least one good reason:
“Washington and Kampala both have the same enemy, and because of that President Obama sent Eric Holder, the Attorney General, to see Mr. Museveni and a host of other American officials have gone. You don’t need to be a genius to imagine what they are talking about, how do we fight these people together.”
Akuetteh says the United States should be far more critical of Museveni. He says Museveni rigged the last election, and is trying to rig the next one by repeatedly arresting and beating opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
“This is a former presidential candidate. If there were real elections he would have come close to becoming president. The State Department said he should be respected. Museveni didn't respect him. So Museveni is actually thumping his nose at the U-S because since they said he should be (respected) they've arrested him three times.”
Akuetteh says that the United States has often coddled African strongmen like Yoweri Museveni.
“The U-S has continued a policy under the Cold War of embracing dictators they called 'friendly tyrants.' You have Mobutu Sese Seko of the country now called Congo. He renamed it Zaire. He was a dictator who ran the country into the ground. Then you go to Tunisia, the dictator they just gotten rid of, Ben Ali. In Egypt President Mubarak He was an American backed dictator. You come to Sub-Saharan Africa, Hessene Habre in Chad. President Reagan supported him. Now the man is being tried for killing tens of thousands of his opposition. You go to Liberia, Samuel Doe was supported by President Reagan. Jimmy Carter supported the dictator Siad Barre in Somalia. Then fast forward to today. You have Paul Kagame in Rwanda. Former president Bill Clinton is seen as a friend of Kagame’s. He's a dictator. In Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, he's an American backed dictator.”
At CSIS, David Throup says the Cold War competition between the U-S and the Soviet Union for influence in Africa did indeed destabilize much of the continent.
“The crisis of Somalia, the problems of Ethiopia, the conflict in southern Sudan, the legacy of Mobutu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, all of these are direct consequences of Cold competition.”
Throup says the negative consequences of the Cold War are one thing. But he says blaming colonial power mischief in Africa is simplistic, and with an ever more economically powerful China, now mostly irrelevant.
"It’s almost out of date to worry too much about the economic relationship, particularly the terms of trade that existed from the 1960’s to the 1980’s between Africa and the West. I am slightly more concerned about the extent of economic exploitation which is beginning to gather momentum from China. China is clearly involved in the exploitation of new oil discoveries in Uganda.”
Nii Akuetteh says for Africa to prepare for any challenges China might present in the future, Africans must understand the challenges of the past.
“There are critics who say colonialism is over. lf you talk about colonial influences on Africa you are just making excuses for bad African leadership. That argument is false and a good way to understand that it is false is to look at the United States. The United States had a civil war for four years and the best American analysts will tell you that if you want to understand the United States you have to understand the Civil War. Because it was over slavery, it was over state’s rights, it was about race."
And, Akuetteh says, the issues of race and state’s rights are still a very big part of the political discourse for Americans a hundred and fifty years after the end of that war.
President Yoweri Museveni has been the strongman in Uganda for 25 years. When Museveni came to power, he was thought by the United States and other Western powers to be one of a new generation of African leaders who would resist dictatorial rule in favor of democracy.
When he became Uganda's president in 1986, Yoweri Museveni was an immediate U-S favorite, according to David Throup with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, CSIS, here in Washington:
“Certainly for the first ten years U-S relations with Uganda were extremely close. Museveni was seen as a great improvement over former Ugandan leaders. accepted structural adjustment as proposed by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. And from 1986 to 1996 relations with Uganda were very good. In the late ’l990’s, early 2000’s when Uganda got involved in Rwanda and northeastern Congo relations became more problematic but I still think Museveni was seen as a positive force in East Africa and the wider regional politics and relations remained good."
Nii Akuetteh is the founder of the Democracy and Conflict Research Institute in Ghana. He says U.S.-Uganda relations, despite recent strains, continue to be good, for at least one good reason:
“Washington and Kampala both have the same enemy, and because of that President Obama sent Eric Holder, the Attorney General, to see Mr. Museveni and a host of other American officials have gone. You don’t need to be a genius to imagine what they are talking about, how do we fight these people together.”
Akuetteh says the United States should be far more critical of Museveni. He says Museveni rigged the last election, and is trying to rig the next one by repeatedly arresting and beating opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
“This is a former presidential candidate. If there were real elections he would have come close to becoming president. The State Department said he should be respected. Museveni didn't respect him. So Museveni is actually thumping his nose at the U-S because since they said he should be (respected) they've arrested him three times.”
Akuetteh says that the United States has often coddled African strongmen like Yoweri Museveni.
“The U-S has continued a policy under the Cold War of embracing dictators they called 'friendly tyrants.' You have Mobutu Sese Seko of the country now called Congo. He renamed it Zaire. He was a dictator who ran the country into the ground. Then you go to Tunisia, the dictator they just gotten rid of, Ben Ali. In Egypt President Mubarak He was an American backed dictator. You come to Sub-Saharan Africa, Hessene Habre in Chad. President Reagan supported him. Now the man is being tried for killing tens of thousands of his opposition. You go to Liberia, Samuel Doe was supported by President Reagan. Jimmy Carter supported the dictator Siad Barre in Somalia. Then fast forward to today. You have Paul Kagame in Rwanda. Former president Bill Clinton is seen as a friend of Kagame’s. He's a dictator. In Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, he's an American backed dictator.”
At CSIS, David Throup says the Cold War competition between the U-S and the Soviet Union for influence in Africa did indeed destabilize much of the continent.
“The crisis of Somalia, the problems of Ethiopia, the conflict in southern Sudan, the legacy of Mobutu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, all of these are direct consequences of Cold competition.”
Throup says the negative consequences of the Cold War are one thing. But he says blaming colonial power mischief in Africa is simplistic, and with an ever more economically powerful China, now mostly irrelevant.
"It’s almost out of date to worry too much about the economic relationship, particularly the terms of trade that existed from the 1960’s to the 1980’s between Africa and the West. I am slightly more concerned about the extent of economic exploitation which is beginning to gather momentum from China. China is clearly involved in the exploitation of new oil discoveries in Uganda.”
Nii Akuetteh says for Africa to prepare for any challenges China might present in the future, Africans must understand the challenges of the past.
“There are critics who say colonialism is over. lf you talk about colonial influences on Africa you are just making excuses for bad African leadership. That argument is false and a good way to understand that it is false is to look at the United States. The United States had a civil war for four years and the best American analysts will tell you that if you want to understand the United States you have to understand the Civil War. Because it was over slavery, it was over state’s rights, it was about race."
And, Akuetteh says, the issues of race and state’s rights are still a very big part of the political discourse for Americans a hundred and fifty years after the end of that war.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Ugandans Exporting Organic Pineapples
By Paul Ndiho
May 5, 2011
Ugandan farmers are producing organically grown pineapples and other food crops destined for European markets.
The United Nations says the market for organic products from Africa is expected to grow exponentially over the next three years, offering new opportunities for small farmers in poor countries.
“The major benefit I’ve had from organic agriculture is an increase in my income. I’ve been able to educate my children and I have been able to harvest enough food to feed my family.”
In Uganda, the National Organic Agricultural Movement (NOGAMU) promotes the growth of organic agriculture across the country, and the export of certified, organic products around the world:
“The green economy is important to Uganda because it creates a lot of opportunities to create wealth for different actors, from farmers to traders, in a way that is more sustainable and protects the environment.”
Farmers say the key to success in the export market is becoming certified as an organic grower.
“I can sell this organic pineapple for 600 shillings to an exporter. But the same sized conventional pineapple is worth only 200 shillings on the local market.”
Ssonko sells his certified organic produce to a local exporter called BioFresh, which air-freights his pineapple to Germany.
Workers at the BioFresh packing plant earn twice what conventional packers do, and enjoy free food and transport, unheard of in the conventional agriculture industry.
NOGAMU also runs a shop in the capital Kampala, providing organic produce to locals. There’s even an online delivery service.
“The potential for organic agriculture in Uganda is very high. It’s easier to improve the livelihoods of farmers in rural areas thru organic agriculture than any other intervention.”
Scientists say organic farming; help to mitigate climate change, that organic fields sequester 3-8 more tones of carbon per hector than conventional agriculture. And there can be productivity gains:
we’ve prepared a study on the transition towards organic agriculture and the associative productivity gains achieved. Across Africa, on average, the increases in yields were 100 percent and in East Africa even 125 percent.”
Like other farmers in rural Uganda, Ssonko says that the green economy creates not just jobs, but better living standards.
“My life has changed. I started w 10 acres, now I have 80 acres. I’ve built three houses, and opened a hardware store in the village.”
In Uganda, more than 80 percent of the population works in agriculture, contributing more than 40 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product.
May 5, 2011
Ugandan farmers are producing organically grown pineapples and other food crops destined for European markets.
The United Nations says the market for organic products from Africa is expected to grow exponentially over the next three years, offering new opportunities for small farmers in poor countries.
“The major benefit I’ve had from organic agriculture is an increase in my income. I’ve been able to educate my children and I have been able to harvest enough food to feed my family.”
In Uganda, the National Organic Agricultural Movement (NOGAMU) promotes the growth of organic agriculture across the country, and the export of certified, organic products around the world:
“The green economy is important to Uganda because it creates a lot of opportunities to create wealth for different actors, from farmers to traders, in a way that is more sustainable and protects the environment.”
Farmers say the key to success in the export market is becoming certified as an organic grower.
“I can sell this organic pineapple for 600 shillings to an exporter. But the same sized conventional pineapple is worth only 200 shillings on the local market.”
Ssonko sells his certified organic produce to a local exporter called BioFresh, which air-freights his pineapple to Germany.
Workers at the BioFresh packing plant earn twice what conventional packers do, and enjoy free food and transport, unheard of in the conventional agriculture industry.
NOGAMU also runs a shop in the capital Kampala, providing organic produce to locals. There’s even an online delivery service.
“The potential for organic agriculture in Uganda is very high. It’s easier to improve the livelihoods of farmers in rural areas thru organic agriculture than any other intervention.”
Scientists say organic farming; help to mitigate climate change, that organic fields sequester 3-8 more tones of carbon per hector than conventional agriculture. And there can be productivity gains:
we’ve prepared a study on the transition towards organic agriculture and the associative productivity gains achieved. Across Africa, on average, the increases in yields were 100 percent and in East Africa even 125 percent.”
Like other farmers in rural Uganda, Ssonko says that the green economy creates not just jobs, but better living standards.
“My life has changed. I started w 10 acres, now I have 80 acres. I’ve built three houses, and opened a hardware store in the village.”
In Uganda, more than 80 percent of the population works in agriculture, contributing more than 40 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
US TOP AFRICA DIPLOMAT SPEAKS OUT ON UGANDA PROTESTS
bY Paul Ndiho
May 1, 2011
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni finally bowed to pressure on Friday and allowed opposition leader Kizza Besigye travel Kenya to seek medical treatment. Just one day earlier, police smashed the window of Besigye’s vehicle repeatedly spraying him with pepper spray, damaging his eyes.
The top United States diplomat for Africa is calling on the government of President Yoweri Museveni to act in a "responsible and civil" manner toward anti-government protesters. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, says he is alarmed at the way the Ugandan opposition leader is being treated and has called Uganda's foreign minister to discuss his dismay at the apparent "harassment" of Kizza Besigye. Besigye’s latest arrest came just one day after his release from prison for leading a similiar “walk to work” demonstration last week.
"We have seen the reports of the arrest of several former presidential candidates for attempting to carry out peaceful demonstrations in Kampala that were designed to highlight rising oil and food prices. We have also seen with great concern and regret the very serious and apparent mistreatment of one of those candidates, Dr. Besigye. We have expressed our concern about what appears to be harassment of President--, of Dr. Besigye. I have myself spoken to the Ugandan foreign minister about this and have urged that the Ugandan government act, both, in a responsible and civil fashion in dealing with the arrest of individuals attempting to carry out peaceful protests.”
On Friday, security forces tried to quell the riots that erupted on the streets of Kampala, over the treatment of Besigye. At least 5 people died after security forces fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.
Besigye appeared in court on last Thursday, slumped forward in his chair, his ear bandaged and eyes covered with tissues after he was arrested in a fifth round of protests against high food and fuel prices.
His lawyer David Mpanga, says he was unable to make a plea because he could not open his eyes or talk. The judge, concluding he was in poor health, adjourned the case until Monday without reading out charges and released him on bail.
"What is happening increasingly I think is looking like persecution, I think government is not happy with what Dr. Besigye may be saying or expressing himself about and they are determined not let him do so because now it appears he cannot walk to work, but neither can he drive to work or any part of town without facing arrest."
This is the fourth time in three weeks that Besigye, runner-up to long-time President Yoweri Museveni in a disputed February election, has been detained and violently rousted by police.
"I'm here to see the speaker of parliament because our nation is going down, our nation is going in ruins and they are doing nothing. We haven't heard the speaker say anything; we haven't heard any Member of Parliament come to say anything. They are sitting there, they are quiet, yet the nation every day the situation is getting worse and worse. They should come up and say something so that people can have hope."
Some of Uganda’s constitutional lawyers and opposition figures are calling on the Museveni’s security forces to stop using excessive force because Article 24 of the Ugandan Constitution -- which says “No person shall be subjected to any form of torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,”
Ugandan lawyers accused the country's security agencies on Wednesday (May 04) of committing crimes against humanity in their crackdown on the ongoing protests over rising food and fuel prices.
For nearly a month, the east African country's capital Kampala and several other towns have been hit intermittently by demonstrations spearheaded by the opposition which have been quashed by the security forces.
About 200 lawyers dressed in their black robes converged on the High Court's front lawn and the Uganda Law Society's President Bruce Kyerere gave a petition to the chief justice.
"The indiscriminate beating of the members of the public and indeed the inhumanly and degrading treatment of citizens of this country in the most brutal and violent arrests of the various members of the public, including senior and respectable opposition leaders... My lord as you can see a whole catalogue of these atrocities indeed qualifies to be categorized as crimes against humanity."
Museveni’s critics argue that images of security personnel smashing car windows with guns or pointing weapons at people is something that reminds Ugandan’s of previous brutal regimes.
Kizza Besigye’s loss in Uganda’s February presidential election to Yoweri Museveni, was his third straight defeat -- and had threatened to end his political career. Now, some analysts say the “walk to work” protests are giving the tireless opposition leader new political life.
May 1, 2011
Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni finally bowed to pressure on Friday and allowed opposition leader Kizza Besigye travel Kenya to seek medical treatment. Just one day earlier, police smashed the window of Besigye’s vehicle repeatedly spraying him with pepper spray, damaging his eyes.
The top United States diplomat for Africa is calling on the government of President Yoweri Museveni to act in a "responsible and civil" manner toward anti-government protesters. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, says he is alarmed at the way the Ugandan opposition leader is being treated and has called Uganda's foreign minister to discuss his dismay at the apparent "harassment" of Kizza Besigye. Besigye’s latest arrest came just one day after his release from prison for leading a similiar “walk to work” demonstration last week.
"We have seen the reports of the arrest of several former presidential candidates for attempting to carry out peaceful demonstrations in Kampala that were designed to highlight rising oil and food prices. We have also seen with great concern and regret the very serious and apparent mistreatment of one of those candidates, Dr. Besigye. We have expressed our concern about what appears to be harassment of President--, of Dr. Besigye. I have myself spoken to the Ugandan foreign minister about this and have urged that the Ugandan government act, both, in a responsible and civil fashion in dealing with the arrest of individuals attempting to carry out peaceful protests.”
On Friday, security forces tried to quell the riots that erupted on the streets of Kampala, over the treatment of Besigye. At least 5 people died after security forces fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters.
Besigye appeared in court on last Thursday, slumped forward in his chair, his ear bandaged and eyes covered with tissues after he was arrested in a fifth round of protests against high food and fuel prices.
His lawyer David Mpanga, says he was unable to make a plea because he could not open his eyes or talk. The judge, concluding he was in poor health, adjourned the case until Monday without reading out charges and released him on bail.
"What is happening increasingly I think is looking like persecution, I think government is not happy with what Dr. Besigye may be saying or expressing himself about and they are determined not let him do so because now it appears he cannot walk to work, but neither can he drive to work or any part of town without facing arrest."
This is the fourth time in three weeks that Besigye, runner-up to long-time President Yoweri Museveni in a disputed February election, has been detained and violently rousted by police.
"I'm here to see the speaker of parliament because our nation is going down, our nation is going in ruins and they are doing nothing. We haven't heard the speaker say anything; we haven't heard any Member of Parliament come to say anything. They are sitting there, they are quiet, yet the nation every day the situation is getting worse and worse. They should come up and say something so that people can have hope."
Some of Uganda’s constitutional lawyers and opposition figures are calling on the Museveni’s security forces to stop using excessive force because Article 24 of the Ugandan Constitution -- which says “No person shall be subjected to any form of torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,”
Ugandan lawyers accused the country's security agencies on Wednesday (May 04) of committing crimes against humanity in their crackdown on the ongoing protests over rising food and fuel prices.
For nearly a month, the east African country's capital Kampala and several other towns have been hit intermittently by demonstrations spearheaded by the opposition which have been quashed by the security forces.
About 200 lawyers dressed in their black robes converged on the High Court's front lawn and the Uganda Law Society's President Bruce Kyerere gave a petition to the chief justice.
"The indiscriminate beating of the members of the public and indeed the inhumanly and degrading treatment of citizens of this country in the most brutal and violent arrests of the various members of the public, including senior and respectable opposition leaders... My lord as you can see a whole catalogue of these atrocities indeed qualifies to be categorized as crimes against humanity."
Museveni’s critics argue that images of security personnel smashing car windows with guns or pointing weapons at people is something that reminds Ugandan’s of previous brutal regimes.
Kizza Besigye’s loss in Uganda’s February presidential election to Yoweri Museveni, was his third straight defeat -- and had threatened to end his political career. Now, some analysts say the “walk to work” protests are giving the tireless opposition leader new political life.
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