| ||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by E.K.Bensah Jr, a Research & Communications Specialist, the show seeks to disrupt the African Rising narrative by demystifying;unpacking; and explaining ECOWAS;African Union; South-South Cooperation policies around Africa's integration.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: "Understanding the Forestry Sector; and Eco-Tourism" (29 July, 2014)
Monday, July 28, 2014
AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 29 July, 2014: "Understanding the Forestry Sector in Ghana & Africa; and EcoTourism"
The Forestry sector is not necessarily a topic that elicits
much excitement in general discourse of a country’s development. Compared to
other sectors like international trade; FDI; labour issues; and education, one could
be forgiven for thinking the latter elements are all that a country needs for
its development.
But even if we were to forget the very important impact of
climate change on our environment in general, and our forests in particular, none
of us can ever forget the essence of forests to any country’s development. For
some African countries, forests are a luxury, but in countries like Ghana,
Kenya; and Rwanda, they are considered very important sectors. It is not only
about the way in which they offer the potential of green belts for the
countries. It is also about how forests offer climate regulation; water; and
natural hazard prevention.
Let’s put it this way: consider a country without forests.
One study in Kenya, for example, showed that deforestation causes a severe blow
to its economy: in 2010, the total net cumulative effect of deforestation was a
loss of nearly US$19 million, which had a huge multiplier effect on the rest of
the economy. It further affects Kenya’s water yield and water-dependent
sectors, as well as a range of other economic sectors, such as agric; forestry;
and fishing; electricity and water; hotels and accommodation; and the public
administration and defence sectors. Altogether, these contributed between
33-39% to GDP between 2000 and 2010.
There is no gainsaying that the link between a sustainable
environment (where trees and forests abound) and Eco-tourism is clear. Add to
this the claim by Forestwatch, a civil society organization working within the
forestry sector, that Ghana has some of the most antiquated laws (some dating
as far back as the 19th century!), and one begins to wonder how
Ghana can counter this perfect storm of challenges to developing tourism to the
potential that countries like Kenya and Rwanda have been able to.
With the AU having signed an MOU with the UN World Tourism
Organisation a few weeks ago to help use tourism to eradicate poverty in
Africa, we will use the 11th edition of AIF to interrogate the
extent to which Africa can overcome its developmental challenges using best
practices from selected countries on facilitating tourism that includes a
recognition of improved sanitation and a sustainable environment.
To this end, we will be speaking to a representative from CSO
working in the sector; representatives from the Forestry Commissions of Ghana;
Kenya; and Rwanda; and speaking to a representative from a Ghanaian-based
travel and tour company on what Ghana ought to do to take Ghana’s tourism
potential to the heights that East African countries in Kenya and Rwanda have
been able to do.
Guests in
the studio:
Ø
Kwame Mensah, ForestWatch
Ø
Francis Agyemang, Commercial Director, Eurotours
Ø
Reverend David Kpelle, Manager of Commercial Development Unit/ Coordinator in charge of EcoPark Development Unit. Forestry Commission, Ghana
On the line:
Ø
Samuel Mawutor, ForestWatch/Civic Response @ 13h50
Ø
Charity Muthonin, Kenya Forestry Service @ 14h10
Ø
Telesphore Ngoga, Rwanda Development Board @ 14h30
Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana
Time). We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.
Contact us Facebook on:
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on
#MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!
HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN
FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus
*Email: africainfocusonradioxyz
AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Podcasts of last 10 Episodes of "Africa in Focus"
22 July, 2014: Energy Security in West Africa
Kindly find a podcast of the 22 July edition of "Africa in Focus", which interrogated the question that:
"understanding energy security is important because the reliable supply of commercial energy services is critical for growing economies in West Africa. Just like people elsewhere, citizens in West Africa seek a higher standard of living, which is only possible with access to commercially-sustainable energy services.
Yet, most of the region lack the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand, although resources such as oil, gas, hydro and coal are available and there are opportunities for modern use of biomass and other renewables such as wind and solar"
Other Questions answered:
• What is energy security, and how is it prosecuted in West Africa? (ERERA)
• What are some of the threats to energy security in (West) Africa? (ERERA/GIABA)
• How can energy security be maintained? (ERERA)
• What are the regional & continental responses to countering challenges to energy security? (ERERA/GIABA)"
Yet, most of the region lack the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand, although resources such as oil, gas, hydro and coal are available and there are opportunities for modern use of biomass and other renewables such as wind and solar"
Other Questions answered:
• What is energy security, and how is it prosecuted in West Africa? (ERERA)
• What are some of the threats to energy security in (West) Africa? (ERERA/GIABA)
• How can energy security be maintained? (ERERA)
• What are the regional & continental responses to countering challenges to energy security? (ERERA/GIABA)"
Guests included:
Ø Uwem Thompson, Communications Officer, Ecowas Regional Energy Regulatory Electricity Authority (ERERA), Accra
Ø Stella Attakpah, Programmes Manager, Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money-Laundering(GIABA), Dakar [on the line from Vienna, Austria]
Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.
FEATURE: ELECTORAL ISSUES, MAJOR SOURCE OF INSTABILITY IN WEST AFRICA-VEEP
By
Pamela Ofori-Boateng, Africa In Focus News Reporter
Vice President, Hon Kwesi
Amissah- Arthur has mentioned that next year, 2015, promises to be a challenging
one for West African democracy since national elections are scheduled in five
ECOWAS countries: Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire; Guinea; Nigeria; and Togo
He made this assertion at a joint
graduation ceremony for third batch of students of the Master of Arts in
Conflicts, Peace and Security (MCPS) and the second batch of students of the
Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and Security (MGPS) at the Kofi Annan
International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
According to him, electoral
disputes have been a major source of instability as there are people who seek
to profit from any misunderstanding.” “We need therefore to guard against the
exploitation of differences or disputes. West Africa must not revert to the
condition of war and conflict”, he added.
Still delivering the key note
address, the vice president Hon. Amissah -Arthur observed that, West Africa, as
a continent, is currently confronting challenges by people who, through the
force of arms and various acts of terror, are seeking to impose their worldview
on others.
“In the last quarter century, our
sub-region has experienced extraordinary war and conflict. We are therefore
committed to resolving our problems without resorting to warfare. Our societies
have begun a long process of recovery and have started to enjoy a peace
dividend because we are determined to accommodate all people whether they
practice different religions, or have a different cultures and customs.
He congratulated the graduating
class for their hard work and commitment throughout their training period and
asked them to apply the knowledge acquired in their various endeavors.
Prof. Kwaku Osei, Dean of
students of Academic Affairs, presented special academic awards to two
distinguished personalities: Maj. Gen. Anyidoho and Dr. Charles Amlaner for
their dedication and immense contribution to the growth of KAIPTC.
The graduants were 67 in number,
with 40 being males and 37 being females. Though majority of the students were
Ghanaians, the overall best student for each of the programmes studied, were
from Japan and Nigeria respectively.
The best student for the Master
of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security was Miss Kanko Oshigama and Mrs. Ugonna
Ukaigwe was adjudged the best student for Master of Arts in Gender, Peace and
Security.
Mrs. Ukaigwe who spoke on behalf
of the graduating class noted that strength is not a preserve of a particular
gender and that they have been equipped to view all situations with their
gender glasses on. She thanked the lecturers, administration and staff of the
training Institute for their enormous support.
The Kofi Annan International
Peacekeeping Training Centre will soon commence a Certificate course in Gender,
Peace and Security and will follow it up with a doctoral programme in
International Conflict Management.
ENDs
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: "Energy Security in West Africa" (22 July, 2014)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Monday, July 21, 2014
AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 22 July, 2014: "Understanding Energy Security in West Africa"
Understanding Energy
Security in West Africa
Since mid 2006, Ghana, like much of West Africa, has been
facing a serious shortage of electricity.
Economies in the
region grew, which fueled demand for electricity. Regrettably, necessary
investments in new generation capacity as well as transmission and distribution
networks did not take place. Consequently, efforts to diversify the fuel
portfolio, and to increase reliability of the grid faced challenges as regional
projects, such as the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) and West African Power
Pool (WAPP) faltered when the construction of the pipeline and gas supplies
were delayed.
Increased
reliance on oil or diesel (imported in the case of all countries in the region
including Nigeria) combined with historically-high oil prices hurt ECOWAS
member states government budgets and current accounts. Consequently, many
businesses were shut down or saw lost sales due to blackouts. It makes sense that a look at the
electricity infrastructure in the region is useful for identifying issues that
need to be addressed.
Understanding energy
security is important
because the reliable supply of commercial energy services is critical for
growing economies in West Africa. Just like people elsewhere, citizens in West
Africa seek a higher standard of living, which is only possible with access to
commercially-sustainable energy services.
Yet, most
of the region lack the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand, although
resources such as oil, gas, hydro and coal are available and there are
opportunities for modern use of biomass and other renewables such as wind and
solar.
The attacks on the West Africa Gas Pipeline in 2012 by
pirates – considered one of the sources of the sub-region’s energy needs – that
resulted in disruption of electricity in the countries of the WAGP, including
Ghana, suggest there remains a lot to be done in protecting the sub-region’s
energy needs. ECOWAS has been instrumental in the development of energy
security in the sub-region. Today, we interrogate the question of what energy
security is, and explore what the ECOWAS as a REC is doing to beef up the
energy needs of the member states for the benefits of its citizens.
Guests include:
Ø Uwem Thompson, Communications Officer,
Ecowas Regional Energy Regulatory
Electricity Authority (ERERA), Accra
Ø Stella Attakpah, Programmes Manager, Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money-Laundering(GIABA),
Dakar [on the line from Vienna, Austria]
Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana
Time). We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.
Contact us Facebook on:
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on
#MultiTVChannel29. Thanks!
HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN
FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus
*Email: africainfocusonradioxyz
AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz
Sunday, July 20, 2014
New for 10th EDITION of "Africa in Focus" on 22 July-- CALL-IN into the show; & promotions
Dear friends, comrades, and colleagues,
My name is Emmanuel.K.Bensah. and I am host of the "Africa in Focus" show on award-winning Radio XYZ93.1fm every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00.
I am happy to announce that by way of celebration of our tenth edition on 22 July, which we will use to discuss Energy Security in West Africa, we are offering two exciting elements.
The first is a promotion supported by Eastgate Hotel, whereby the first ten texters/whatsappers/tweets/
Second, you are entitled to a 10pct discount of a ticket to our first-ever Africa in Focus High-Level Public Forum on 28-29 August. More details on africainfocusonradioxyz.
Perhaps the most interesting development on the show proper is the fact we will from hereonin open the phone lines so that listeners to the show can now call in and make contributions from 14h40 to 14h50.
The numbers are +233(0)289.000.931 and +233(0)289.931.000.
Thank you for your interest, and your patronage of "Africa in Focus".
Keep listening!
Regards,
Saturday, July 19, 2014
FEATURE from "Kigali Today" Paper: "For Rwanda, more mountain gorillas means more revenues"
Jul 7, 2014
For Rwanda, more mountain gorillas means more revenues
At the foot of the Virunga Volcanic Mountains, Northern Rwanda, thousands of villagers gather to celebrate the birth of 18 mountain gorilla newborns just meters from the bambooforest up in the hills.Hundreds of tourists and foreign dignitaries attend the annual baby gorilla naming ceremony, locally known as KwitaIzina. Local foods are prepared. Chefs roast fresh goat meat and fish. Beer and soft drinks are in abundance.
Rwandan Intore warriors, dressed in traditional attire,brave the freezing mist, thunderously thumping their feet on the floor, jumping high and rhythmically swaying their neatly weaved toupees.The crown suddenly gets wild, with applause in response. Speeches are said and praises made. Selected individuals are given the advantage to give names to the newborns.
On July 1, 2014, Rwanda held the 10thKwitaIzina festival. American Ambassador to Rwanda, DonaldKoranwas given the privilege. He enthusiastically stepped on the floor and named one of the babies ‘Twiyubake’,loosely translated as self-reliance.
LeoniCuelenaere, the Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda named the baby ‘Inzozi’, meaning dreams. Some names are so expressive, the crowd cheers when they are announced.
Normally, after the naming exercise, the real party kicks off. Traditional instruments are played to set the mood right.The national troupe, a selection of beautiful and exemplary women dancers seizes the dance floor; swinging their attractivelycurved bodies to the heart-shattering sounds of drum-beats.International and local pop artists perform too. The crowdgets even wilder.
It is a privilege to name a baby gorilla. The Bill Clintons and Bill Gates have once been given such privileges.In June 2006, Bill Gates visited the Sabyinyo familyfrom which he named their new baby ‘KEZA’ [cute].
Biggest names present
KwitaIzina, launched in 2005, which has grown to become an international event, creates a global buzz. Global media networks, such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, SABC, Reuters and M-Net Studio 53, Animal Planet, all broadcast the event live to millions of viewers around the world. International celebrities, such as Star Wars heroine Natalie Portman have attended. In 2008, Natalie Portman named a baby ‘Gukina’ [to play].
The late crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, was represented by his former manager John Stainton who named a baby ‘Ingufu’ [strength], in memory of Steve. Renowned American conservationist Jack Hanna, Marjorie Kaplan of Animal Planet and Terry Lundgren,the President of Macys’have attended the festival. Famous actor Don Cheadle was invited to the ceremony in 2010 and named a baby gorilla Zoya, meaning life.
According to Valentine Rugwabiza, theChief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, the eventemphasizes the conservation of the gorillas. Since 2005, KwitaIzina was launched, 163 newbornshave been named.
Due to the festival, the mountaingorilla population in Rwanda has increased to over 600from 10 families of the remaining 880 gorillas found in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Eastern DR Congo, owing to collaborative efforts of the government, the local communities neighboring the national park and conservation partners.
“Because of the country’s community-led conservation efforts that led to a 26.3 percent growth in the population of gorillas since 2003,” Rugwabiza said.“That constant growth in the gorilla numbers is a clear sign of good conservation policies by the government of Rwanda.”
More gorillas, more revenue
And for Rwanda, more gorillas meanmore revenues.Gorilla trekking permits count for the large share. In 2010, from 666,000 visitors, Rwanda generated $200m. In 2013, from 1,137,000 visitors, the tourism industry generated about $294m. The industry has grown exponentially, it made only $62m in 2000.
The government allocates 5 percent of the revenues to local communities around the national park. A school of six classrooms was built with funds from the ‘Shared Revenue Scheme’. More than300 projects have been rolled out, including construction of more than 50 primary schools, roads and clean water supply.
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, who presided over the ceremony, and named the baby ‘Birashoboka’ [it is possible], said conserving the nature is integral to Rwanda’s developmentagenda.
Particularly, he said, “local residents are the primary beneficiaries as it has helped set up community businesses and income generating projects that has improved lives and the communities’ economy.”
The Prime Minister strongly advised residents to keep up the conservation practices in order to maintain the current benefits from tourism.
To emphasize the importance of KwitaIzina, cerebrations are organized with themes. This year’s theme for example was; “A Decade: Conserving-Empowering-Growing”, with emphasis on how gorilla tourism empowers communities through revenue sharing programs.
Conservationists and gorilla admirers such as Ambassador Cuelenaere, say Rwanda’sconservation effort for the Mountain Gorillas is remarkable.
Emmanuel Bensah, a Ghanaian who attended the carnival said, “Rwanda should serve as an example that Africa can link conservation and tourism.” “This is a message that Africa should not leave conservation to the [foreigners].”
List of dignitaries who named the newborns and the respective gorilla names
- Rt. Honourable Pierre Damien Habumuremyi- Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda named Birashoboka [all is possible]
- H.E LeoniCuelenaere – Ambassador of Netherlands to Rwanda named Inzozi [dreams]
- Mr. Omar Samra –Tour operator representing Egypt and the Middle East named Inkindi [high value]
- General MushyoKamanzi - Army Chief of Staff named Ndengera [protect me]
- Mr. Charles OnyangoObbo – Editor, Mail and Guardian AFRICA named Tebuka [hurry through]
- Amb. TeglaLoroupe – Kenyan Athlete and Peace Ambassador named Nakure [let her grow]
- Mr. IkechiUko – Publisher, ATQ Publisher- Nigeria named Umugeni [bride]
- Ms. Uwamahoro Agnes – Local Community President of COPAV Mararo, Nyangye Sector named Nkurunziza [Goodnews]
- John Sempebwa – Deputy CEO United Tourism Board, Uganda named Imikino [sports]
- H.E Donald W. Koran – Ambassador of the United States of America to Rwanda named Twiyubake [self-relience]
- Mr. John Mirenge – Chief Executive Officer RwandAir named Kwigira [self-reliance]
- Mr. Ibrahim Mohamed – Principal Secretary for Commerce, Tourism and East African Affairs, Kenya named Isange [welcome]
- Ms. Lisa Karanja – Senior Director Business Competitiveness, Trade Mark named Umutaka [Umbrella]
- Hon. BarnabaMarial Benjamin – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, South Sudan named Masunzu [ a place around the Virunga volcanoes]
- Mr. Bigirimana Francois –Volcanoes National Park Guide, Rwanda Development Board named Nkundurwanda [I Love Rwanda]
- Dr. Adam Woo – Chief Operating Officer, Chinese Business Network gave a Chinese name which translates to Ubukwe [celebration and double prosperity]
- Ms. Keiko Mori – Japanese Friends named Ubukombe [ experience]
- Mr. Fidel Nizeyimana- Tracker, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Development Board named Ibendera [flag]
By Lillian Gahima
Thursday, July 17, 2014
PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: "East Africa Rising: Rwanda, Rwanda!" (15 July, 2014)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Monday, July 14, 2014
AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 15 July, 2014: "East Africa Rising: Rwanda, Rwanda!"
East Africa Rising:
Rwanda, Rwanda!
On 27 June, on the invitation of RwandAir
and Rwanda Development Board, the host & Head of Research and
Communications of AIF found himself in Rwanda to join other West African media
practitioners, and tour operators from the East African region in what would be
a whistle-stop tour of Rwanda. The invitees would first find themselves engaged
in the community-based “umuganda”, which has become standard fare on the last
Saturday of each month. Then, it was off
to Nyanza, which is a town located in the Southern province of the country.
There, the visitors were treated to the rich culture and tradition of Rwandans
and introduced to what was once the capital of the Kingdom of Rwanda from 1958
to 1962 during the stay of Rwanda’s colonizers.
It must be said that apart from
visiting the two borders between Rwanda and DRC some 10 minutes from the plush
Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in the Northern province, where one obtained a useful
insight into life across Rwanda’s francophone neighbor that is not a member of
the East African Community, perhaps the indisputable highlight of the trip was
in Musanze – at the “Kwita Izina” where we played host to an amazing
ceremony…to name gorillas.
Forget Sigourney Weaver in the 1988
film “Gorillas in the Midst”. We were treated to the real deal. We visited the
Dr.Dian Fossey Memorial Fund for Gorillas, which inspired the said movie.
Though we regrettably did not see any live gorillas, we spent a whole day in
the beautiful and scenic Musanze—set against the backdrop of undulating hills
and volcanoes that reached almost the heavens – where we would witness the
naming of no less than eighteen gorillas.
To be present in the beautiful and
clean country (that is Rwanda) to celebrate the 10th anniversary of
the gorilla-naming ceremony at a time when this landlocked East African country
was reflecting over 20 years of an egregious past, is more than a priviledge.
But even as we celebrate this beautiful
new star of Africa, we must begin to ask important questions on how it has been
able to link conservation and tourism to development in a way that is reflected
through the annual gorilla-naming ceremony. As Ghana prepares itself to host
the UN World Tourism Organisation international conference on Tourism Branding,
what lessons can it learn from Rwanda which makes up to USD300m a year on
tourism?
Guests include:
Ø Ignatius Ahimbisibwe,
Sales & Marketing, Rwandair
Ø Francis Agyemang, Commercial director, Eurotours
Ø Ambassador Joseph
Habineza, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Abuja
& Accra
Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana
Time). We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.
Contact us Facebook on:
http://www.facebook.com/africainfocusonradioxyz
and radio XYZ 93.1FM. Tweet us @africainfocus14 and @ekbensah. Listen to us on
#MultiTVChannel29. Thanks
PODCAST>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: "Informal Economy in Africa" (8 July, 2014)
Kindly find a podcast of the 8 July edition of "Africa
in Focus", which interrogated the question that:
"In the difficult prevailing economic conditions, it is
likely that more people are operating in a so-called shadow economy where they
have a 9-to-5 job, and couple it with one in the informal economy.
A general discussion needs to be had so Africans can begin
to reflect on the trajectory of the sector, and how it can be modernized. And a
specific discussion is found wanting because countries, such as Rwanda, do not
necessarily have an informal sector in the traditional way that people in West
Africa understand it.
So, what is it, for example, that they have been doing to
upset the apple cart on modernizing the economy? Is there something that other
African countries can, yet again, learn from this small, landlocked country in
East Africa that has been getting things right after the country died 20 years
ago? If the informal sector is to remain an important part of regions like West
Africa, what needs to be modernized about it to ensure it remains equitable for
those who are in it, and what are the linkages to the formal economy that can
be explored to maximize efficient development of Africa’s global economy?"
Guests included:
*Eunice Marfo, Executive Secretary at Ghana Association of
Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC)
* Janet Faden, a freelance Online journalist based in Jos,
Nigeria, who practices under her media enterprise called JfadenMultimedia
* Edmund
Benjamin-Addy, who has worked in advisory service for the past five years for
individual clients in the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME's) and works
as Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Susu Collector’s Association
* Dr.Akosua Darkwa -- a representative from Network for
Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT)
Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time) every Tuesday. We’re also
streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com.
HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE:
http://gplus.to/contactafricainfocusxyz
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/africaonradioxyz
3. Google plus Profile:
http://gplus.to/africainfocusongoogleplus
*Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14, using #AfricainFocus #radioxyz
Monday, July 7, 2014
Africa in Focus is hiring Programme Assistants (East Africa; ECOWAS; News Reporting)
Africa in
Focus is hiring!!>>We are looking for a dynamic Ghanaians & African
nationals residing in Ghana to become programme assistants/
You must
have an interest in international development, but have a special interest in
Africa's integration, especially that of the African Union. The positions
involve a lot of writing, so the successful candidate must have at least a
first degree.
Here are
the positions: (
·
East Africa Community Programme Assistant
·
ECOWAS Programme Assistant
·
News Reporter Programme Assistant
Please
send CV and motivation letter explaining why you want to be considered for any
of these positions by latest 21 July, 2014. Send emails to
africainfocusonradioxyz@gmail.
.
Find out more about Africa in Focus on its blog: http://
Thank
you!
AFRICA IN FOCUS>>Coming up on 8 July, 2014: "The Informal Economy in Africa"
The informal sector dominates much of Africa. The so-called “Africa Rising” tag comes with hidden statistics that have heretofore been unrevealed. The exception that has proved the rule has been Nigeria, since it rebased its economy in April. But the story is not over. Rebasing the economy has not meant that the informal economy therefore makes Nigeria any less rich. What we can surmise it to mean is that a lot more African countries can begin to consider ways of doing same to include the much-patronised informal sector.
In the difficult prevailing economic conditions, it is likely that more people are operating in a so-called shadow economy where they have a 9-to-5 job, and couple it with one in the informal economy.
A general discussion needs to be had so Africans can begin to reflect on the trajectory of the sector, and how it can be modernized. And a specific discussion is found wanting because countries, such as Rwanda, do not necessarily have an informal sector in the traditional way that people in West Africa understand it.
So, what is it, for example, that they have been doing to upset the apple cart on modernizing the economy? Is there something that other African countries can, yet again, learn from this small, landlocked country in East Africa that has been getting things right after the country died 20 years ago? If the informal sector is to remain an important part of regions like West Africa, what needs to be modernized about it to ensure it remains equitable for those who are in it, and what are the linkages to the formal economy that can be explored to maximize efficient development of Africa’s global economy?
Guests include:
Ø Ibrahim Akalbila, Coordinator at Ghana Trade Livelihood Coalition (GTLC)
Ø Eunice Marfo, Executive Secretary at Ghana Association of Savings and Loans Companies (GHASALC)
Ø Janet Faden, a freelance Online journalist based in Jos, Nigeria, who practices under her media enterprise called JfadenMultimedia
Ø Edmund Benjamin-Addy, who has worked in advisory service for the past five years for individual clients in the Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME's) and works as Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Susu Collector’s Association
Ø A representative from Network for Women’s Rights (NETRIGHT)
Contact us Facebook on:
HYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com/
HOW TO CONTACT "AFRICA IN FOCUS"
1. Google plus BUSINESS PAGE: http://gplus.to/
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/
2. Google plus COMMUNITY: http://gplus.to/
3. Google plus Profile: http://gplus.to/
*Email: africainfocusonradioxyz AT gmail.com
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/
*FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/
*Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
