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No plans to devalue CFA Franc, says BCEAO and BEAC

November 25, 2011 BCEAO HQ,Dakar-Sénégal

The Central Bank of West Africa States (BCEAO) and that of Bank of the Central Africa States (BEAC) have said there are no plans to devalue their common currency, CFA Franc.

The Central Banks of the two sub-regions made the clarification during their annual meeting in the Ivorian commercial capital, Abidjan, in the wake of recent media speculations of a pending devaluation.

Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate drops to 4.1%

November 25, 2011 Fight the spread of HIV/AIDS

Nigeria is said to be experiencing a decline in the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, perhaps because more people living with AIDS globally now have access to antiretroviral treatment.

US lawmaker’s call “recipe for disaster”, says Liberia Nobel Laureate Gbowee

November 24, 2011 Leymah Gbowee, Liberia Nobel Peace Laureate

The Chairman of the US House of Representatives Sub-Committee on Africa, Christopher Smith has called on Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf not to include Winston Tubman’s main opposition CDC party in a national unity government, warning “their inclusion in government would be detrimental to the progress of Liberia.”

But Liberia Nobel Peace Laureate, Leymah Gbowee has criticized the American Congressman’s call and has indicated that such a move would not be in the best interest of building peace and reconciliation in post war Liberia.

 

Moves to improve the lot of 4.3m Ghanaians living with disabilities

November 24, 2011 Offices of Ghana Association of persons with disabilities

The number of people living with disability in Ghana appears to be on the increase. According to recent national statistics, persons living with disabilities number about 4.3 million, constituting  some 20 % of the national population of  the country.

But the majority of disabled people have often been limited to low scale jobs, with others roaming the streets as beggars.

Ivorian TV Journalist linked to Gbagbo stands trial

November 23, 2011 Herman Aboua, Ivorian Journalist

There is no freedom yet for Ivorian Journalist Herman Aboua who is being held in a prison in the main city, Abidjan.

Calls for his release were rejected by the judge on Monday. The former Journalist of the state owned RTI television channel was thought to be very close to ousted President Laurent Gbagbo's regime.

EU policies pushing Africa, developing countries deeper into poverty

November 22, 2011 Panel at one of CONCORD fora

A group of European development NGOs says the European Union’s policies are continuing to seriously undermine the rights of people in Africa and the developing world.

“You can’t deny that European policies have effects overseas, like right here in Africa,” said Gerard Karlshausen, an official of the Confederation of European Development NGOs (CONCORD), the group that wrote the report.

Need to actualize the Pope's reconciliation message

November 21, 2011 Pape Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict the XVI has ended his second visit to Africa, which lasted for 49 hours 30 minutes in Benin.

His last trip to Africa was in 2009 to Cameroon and Angola.

Kuwait Fund gives US$15m to boost S. Leone health sector

November 19, 2011 Mrs Zainab Bangura, Sierra Leone's Health Min

Kuwait has given US$15m to upgrade a children’s hospital  and boost other projcts in Sierra Leone's health sector.

This was disclosed during the week by Sierra Leone Health and Sanitation Minister, Haja Zainab Bangura.

 

Pope Benedict XVI urges reconciliation as he visits Benin

November 19, 2011 Pope visiting Benin

Pope Benedict the XVI is in Benin on his second visit to Africa, with a message to encourage reconciliation on the continent.

The Pope is on Saturday presenting plans by the Roman Catholic Church to encourage reconciliation in Africa, when he travels to the city of Ouidah, the symbolic heartland of Voodoo in Benin.

Ghana, world’s fastest growing economy at 13% but miners warn

November 19, 2011 Une mine au Ghana

Ghana’s economy has grown from 7% in 2010 to 13% this year, making it the fastest growing economy in the world, but there are fears that this growth could slow investments due to high taxes.