AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 5 August, 2014: "Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future"

Africa & Social Media: Blogging; Activism; and the Future

If someone were to be documenting Ghana’s young history of its foray into Social Media, one might refer to the 1 July demonstration, which triggered the hashtag #Occupyflagstaff, as one of the examples of Ghana’s foray into activism. Activism, because many months after the so-called “Arab Spring”, many have questioned when sub-Saharan Africa would have its own Spring.

But long before there was even any talk of a “Spring” africaine, Ghana had begun making moves around Social Media. First it was Penplusbytes, or the ICT Institute of Journalism in 2001. Seven years later came BloggingGhana – considered the largest association of bloggers writing about Ghana. With the advent of New Media has come opportunities for training and education on New Media, which the latter two organizations have been involved in.

That said, one could be forgiven for thinking that without being associated with these two organizations, survival in New Media is impossible. Far from it, as there remain many individuals blogging, and fully-engaged in New Media through many different initiatives they undertake.

Then there is the case of our media houses, which are taking the New Media bull by the horns and running with it. Back in 2009, the host of “Africa in Focus” was called to national duty for the 14th GJA Media Awards. Word had it that his blogging activism was what led him to that calling.  Sitting on that committee as a judge for online journalism was indeed a priviledge, but he was disheartened by the fact that subsequent GJA Media awards did not deem Blogging and New Media an important component of Ghana’s media.

Fortunately, New Media has managed to move beyond relying on the Ghana Journalist Association. The establishment of organizations like BloggingGhana and Penplusbytes can verily attest to this fact. But even with their respective successes, what have other countries been able to do around New Media and Blogging?

In this edition of AIF, we talk to Kenya’s erstwhile “King of Facebook”, and Brand Ambassador of Safaricomm to find out how that East African country has been able to revolutionise New Media. We also talk to the former Knowledge Management Officer of the UNECA who played an active role in ensuring that the rather-prosaic policy of Africa’s integration and development is translated into the more exciting and vivacious New Media channel in Facebook.

Even more importantly, we will be using the show to explore the extent to which New Media, especially blogging, is still a good idea, and does it have validity in a space where twitter seems to be king? What does Kenya’s King of Facebook think about other forms of New Media, and does his commercial success lend weight to the fact that his template is one that can be replicated elsewhere in Africa?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Edward Tagoe, BloggingGhana

Ø  Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Rancard Solutions/ex-Google Ghana

Ø  Kwami Ahiabenu, Penplusbytes New Media Hub/African Elections Project

On the line:

Ø  Golda Addo, Renewable Energy advocate; Activist   @ 13h40

Ø  Stephen Musyoka, TrInc Media/ former Kenyan “King of Facebook”/City Council of Nairobi @ 13h55

Ø  Mawuli Tsikata, CITI fm, @14h10

Ø  Mkhu Ncube, Young Zimbabwe Business Platform/ex-UNECA @ 14h25

Tune in at 13h10 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live  www.radioxyzonline.com.

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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

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.

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Coming up on 20 May edition of "Africa in Focus": "How far is Africa integrating?"

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr will be live on air on Africa in Focus Show - Radio XYZ 93.1FM Tuesday at 13h00 GMT exploring how far Africa has integrated.

Earlier this month, Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration declared the month of May "Regional Integration month". The real question "Africa in Focus" show is asking today, Tuesday 20th May from 1:00pm to 3:00pm is,

‘How far is Africa integrating along the lines of intra-African trade; energy; telecommunications; and business ventures?

We shall be finding out whether Africa truly is integrating when there is now a closer relationship between Africa and China?

Guests include:

-         An official of the UN Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA) from Addis Ababa (Joseph Attah-Mensah)

-         RwandAir (Ignatius Ahimbisibwe)

-         An academic from Ashesi University here in Accra (Dr.Lloyd Amoah)

-         A former UNECA official who now works in his home country of Zimbabwe encouraging business for his countrymen. (Mkhululi Ncube)

-         An official from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) (Charles Kojo VanDyck)

Tune in at 13h00 GMT (1:00pm Ghana Time). We’re also streaming live www.radioxyzonline.com. Contact us Facebook on:

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Countdown to the Maiden Edition of "Africa in Focus" on 6 May: Research & Communications Team Meet

It was with with more-than-bated breath that the Research & Communications Unit/Business Desk of Radio XYZ's "Africa in Focus" show met 2 May, 2014 at Eastgate Hotel to prepare for the very-first edition of the show on 6 May.

With sponsors in West Africa Civil Society Institute(WACSI) officially on board to take the programme to even greater heights, the Unit was happy to have interacted with key WACSI staff who paved the way on the future of the partnership. 

There was general reporting of activities, and a lot of exciting information-exchange on developments during the past week, including on the just-ended Pan-African Conference on Inequalities that was held here in Accra.

The Research & Comms Unit meets every week at Eastgate Hotel with the Business Desk to monitor and evaluate previous editions of AIF show; progress on the direction of the research component of the "Africa in Focus" show; the state of communication instruments (facebook; twitter; google plus community); how far weekly activities are contributing to enriching the Unit's monitoring of African integration dynamics of ECOWAS; the AU; and Africa's engagement with members of the Global South. 

Finally, the meetings seek to undertake innovative strategies to further-educate the public on Africa's development.