Often the hardest thing is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn – David Russel
Posted in Africa on Jun 15th, 2009
The Ethiopian government has unveiled plans to construct an extensive railway system in a bid to improve transportation. The new railway will consist of 5,000 kilometres of track, mainly to transport goods. It will also be electrified to take advantage of Ethiopia’s huge hydropower potential. Head of the project, Getachew Betru, says the rail network [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 13th, 2009
Congo-Brazzaville has launched a free health phone line, open 24 hours a day, which will offer medical advice on child emergency cases. The joint intiative by the government, UNICEF and private mobile phone operators is part of an effort to save thousands of children who die of treatable diseases every year in the country. Health [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 11th, 2009
In Zambia, more than 5000 public sector workers have gone on strike over demands for better pay and improved working conditions. The workers are demanding a 25 per cent rise in their monthly salaries, and a monthly housing allowance of 150 US dollars. The nationwide strike in the ministries of health, land, mines, energy and [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 10th, 2009
Experts say Africa’s fight against corruption is being weakened by the undermining of investigative agencies. Experts, prosecutors and watchdogs told the New York Times they fear efforts to stamp out corruption in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are being held back. In Kenya and Nigeria key officials heading anti-corruption agencies have been reportedly forced into [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 9th, 2009
Oil giant Shell has agreed to pay 15.5 million US dollars to the relatives of nine environmental activists, including author Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were executed by the Nigerian government, but it says that it does not accept liability for their deaths. Shell agreed to the out-of-court settlement in a case brought by relatives of the [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 8th, 2009
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched a pact that will eliminate trade barriers across 19 African countries. As part of the deal, launched yesterday, a range of tariffs from zero to 25 per cent will apply to certain categories of imported goods and services. It will also harmonise tariffs on [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 5th, 2009
A government minister in Guinea-Bissau was shot dead early today when armed men stormed into his house. Baciro Dabo was a candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for 28 June. Uniformed men were said to have burst into his house and shot him several times. Dabo was a close ally of former president Joao Bernardo [...]
Posted in Africa on Jun 4th, 2009
Investigations are taking place in Nigeria after consignments of fake anti-malarial drugs were intercepted on May 20. The drugs, worth up to 218 million US dollars, originated from China and were intercepted by drug control agents in Lagos state. The Director General of the drug and food control agency, Paul Orhji, yesterday said the action [...]
Posted in Children on Jun 2nd, 2009
Rwanda’s government has vowed to reduce the student drop-out rate by at least two per cent by the end of next year. Rwanda has a drop-out rate of 13.9 per cent, according to the Ministry of Education figures. The ministry is working toward reducing the numbers by next year, and hopes by 2016 all students [...]
