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GHANA: lessons in democracy

March 8, 2013 Image 3032

On March 6, Ghana celebrated 56 years of independence. The country’s early reputation for political instability and underachievement has faded. Ghana is often saluted as one of the most stable democracies in Africa. But the present political situation raises some uncomfortable questions…

KENYA: trying to avoid the worst

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Kenyans went to the polls on Monday, March 4, amidst warnings from rival candidates and observers that there should be no repetition of the events of 2007-2008. In scenes that shocked the whole of Africa and beyond, over 1,200 people lost their lives in a fiercely contested election.

The news from eastern Kenya in the early hours of polling day was not good. At least 15 people were killed in attacks by armed gangs

GAMBIAN JUSTICE:THE NIGERIAN EFFECT

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Since independence in 1965, The Gambia has benefited from a flow of experts to fill the gaps in West Africa’s smallest country. A lack of qualified Gambians to hold senior positions has meant hiring foreigners in several key areas, notably the country’s judiciary. For years, under a technical support programme, Nigeria has been sending legal experts to work in the justice system as everything from magistrates to high court judges. Recently, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, a Nigerian-born justice who served as the Chief Justice of the Gambia from 2009- 2012, returned to Nigeria to serve his homeland as a member of the Court of Appeal.

 

 

 

NIGERIA: Finance Minister at risk?

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Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is considered to be one of Nigeria’s most influential and high profile politicians. She is currently the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance on Legal & Policy, appointed in July 2011.

But Okonjo-Iweala hit the headlines for other reasons recently. The anti-bomb squad of the Nigeria Police detonated two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a parcel that was planted directly in front of the post office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja. The parcel was addressed to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala.

THE GAMBIA: UK ties continue

February 8, 2013 Yahya Jammeh

The Gambia and its former colonial masters have a long-standing relationship. Britain and France fought over many years for control of the territory; the Gambia became a British colony in 1894. In 1965, the Gambia became independent under the leadership of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara.

But ties have remained close. The UK has provided substantial aid. For example, in August 2012, the UK gave £500, 000 during the Sahelian food crisis. The Gambia, now a famed tourist destination, draws thousands of British visitors every year. 

GHANA: water woes in Accra

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There has been angry discussion in Ghana over the question of whether utility service providers should have the right to increase their tariffs or not.

Both Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and the Electricity Company of Ghana have pushed for increases on the grounds that they need to boost their capacity to meet Ghana’s long-term needs. The GWCL has argued repeatedly that demand outstrips supply in Accra and increased tariffs and rationing are an inevitable consequence.

But the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the independent body set up to regulate and oversee the provision of services says consumers have a right to better services before any increment.

GHANA: NPP remains out in the cold

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Weeks after the presidential elections in Ghana, the country’s main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains reluctant to accept the defeat of its candidate Nana Akufo-Addo. The NPP directed fierce criticism at the Electoral Commission (EC) when it awarded the elections to incumbent president John Mahama, candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) alleging widespread irregularities and bias on the part of the EC. Akufo-Addo and his allies later filed a petition to the Supreme Court, demanding that the election results be overturned and that hundreds of irregularities be examined. Meanwhile, the NPP mainly stayed away from President Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony.

CAR: Ex-PM on Libreville peace deal

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After a month of fighting, rebels from the Séléka coalition signed an agreement with the Centrafrican government of President François Bozizé in Liberville on January 11. The agreement provided for an immediate end to hostilities, Séléka's withdrawal from areas it has occupied and the creation of a new government of transition, governing CAR for a one-year period, with Séléka represented. Bozizé stays in office, despite earlier demands from Séléka that he be removed.

MALI: consequences of conflict

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The conflict in northern Mali has pitted the Malian army, backed by French air strikes, against a rebel coalition made up three Islamic movements: Ansar Dine (meaning ‘Defenders of the Faith’), the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) and Al Quaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Since occupying the north of Mali from April last year, these movements have sought to impose Sharia law on Mali, an overwhelmingly Muslim country, but with little tradition of the kind of radical Islam advocated by Ansar Dine and its allies.

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THE GAMBIA: warning on press freedom

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The recent arrest and detention of Gambian journalist Abodoulie John by the authorities in Banhul has raised fresh concerns about the lack of press freedom in The Gambia. John, who edits the online website Jollof News and also reports for the Associated Press (AP,) was detained at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in Banjul on January 7. Released three days later on bail, John was instructed to report back to the NIA. John’s family home was searched by the government security agency.