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By Paul Ndiho, Washington DC.
June 8, 2011
Gabon’s President Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba says his country has a key role to play on the world stage as that central African country assumes the presidency of the U.N. Security Council. And Mr. Ondimba says that Gabon will stand with NATO on Libya, because of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s continued refusal to step down.
In a keynote speech on U.S.-Africa relations at the United Nations, President Ondimba said that Africa is becoming more active on the world stage and with regard to Libya.
“As a member of the United Nations Security Council and surest chairman of the rotational presidency, Gabon has a key role to play. The Arab Spring and in particular the events in Libya have demonstrated clearly the developmental challenge that faces Africa as a whole. The obvious failures of governments to deliver a true social contract for their people are the root cause of the events we have witnessed.”
President Ondimba says that Africans expect their leaders to govern with a vision and to understand that democracy today is not about just having elections but about building democratic institutions. But he says the full realization of this democratic ideal can be sometimes difficult.

“You should encourage and support those of us who generally respect democratic principles and rule of law. Respect for national institutional principles cannot be separated from the respect for individuals. While we leaders are expected to govern with vision our respect for institutions is the ultimate safeguard for stable and strong democracies and the ultimate security for citizens to know that their collective will is taken into account. “
Historically, Gabon has depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. Gabon is trying to diversify its economy amid declining oil production.
President Ondimba said that the telecommunications industry in Africa is more important than ever before.
“Telecommunications is probably the most widely known success story on the African continent and at the same time directly contributed to the revolution in N. Africa. Today a rural farmer or herder can use his mobile phone to call ahead to market towns and find out where he can find the best price for his goods. He can leverage this information to bargain with buyers. In the same way social activists can communicate and coordinate dissent circumventing the requirement for physical contact and making it difficult for governments to quell opposition.”
Gabon has long been dependent on oil and gas as its main source of income. The Central African country is ranked third largest producer of oil in Africa but the country’s petroleum output has been declining for years.
On paper, Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor, and President Ondimba acknowledges that the development of Gabon still has a long way to go.

By Paul Ndiho
June 1, 2011
The population of Africa has grown exponentially over the past century, and United Nations figures indicate that Africa’s population is likely to double by 2050. This growth can take a big toll on wildlife, and chimpanzees are no exception. Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. It is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa. At one point, chimpanzees lived in 25 African countries. Due to the loss of habitat, chimpanzees are now found in 21 African countries. In Uganda, the Jane Goodall Institute, or JGI, is conducting extensive chimpanzee conservation awareness campaigns in communities surrounding the forest. Veterinarian Peter Apell runs the program.
“So the Jane Goodall Institute is focusing on trying to protect the chimps in their habitat and also to make the population much more aware on how they can live sustainably with these endangered species.”

Mr. Apell says chimps are threatened in Africa because the people often cut down forests to make way for crops, and forests are critical habitat for chimpanzees. He says that chimpanzees also are accidentally trapped:
“Chimps have been incidental victims of traps that have been laid by the communities. The traps have not been laid specifically for catching the chimps, but for catching wild pigs and other bush meat to supplement the protein diet of the communities that live adjacent to the forest. But unfortunately chimpanzees are also caught in these traps.”
With a grant from the U.S. government, JGI has developed an ecotourism site in Budongo Forest Reserve that promotes and provides alternative livelihoods for rural communities.
“The thing about this ecotourism site is that it employs people from the local communities. We trained them, we employed them, so they are earning a living directly from the ecotourism site. But the revenue that is generated from tourists coming to this ecotourism site is then put back towards three main activities.”
Peter Apell says that Chimpanzees are closest species to humans and protecting them is at the heart of Jane Goodall’s historic legacy.
“Chimpanzees have a hierarchy in their communities. They have a leader who is an alpha male who oversees all the functions within the communities. They live in groups in communities in families, they pretty much communicate both vocally and using signs.”
Mr. Apell says that this year, the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda was nominated by the World Tourism Council for an award that recognizes innovative approaches for sustainable tourism and conservation.

By Paul Ndiho
May 27, 2011
Last year, Ghana became the newest African oil exporter, turning on the taps to new revenues. Now, a private job-training center in Ghana is preparing young people to create a qualified labor pool for the country’s newest big industry.
In December, 2010, the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, launched the country’s first oil delivery, as Ghana joined the ranks of African petroleum producers. However the country did not have enough skilled people to take on the challenges of this new industry. Today, a training program in Takoradi, western Ghana has young people kitted up and ready to learn skills necessary to be part of the country’s fastest growing industry.
“It’s quite hectic, standing in the sun always trying to learn what is going on but it’s a form of exercise, a form of a training, so its, we hope to achieve and know more. “

Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited teaches welding, pipe fitting, electrical engineering and specialized construction to about 3-thousand students. Companies like Sigma-Base will be integral in attaining the government’s goal of 90 percent local participation in ‘strategic areas’ of the oil and gas industry by 2020.
“Since I have the experience, I decided to start something, engage the youth of Ghana meaningfully, train them, get them ready so that when the industry opens, they will have something to do, they will not be idle, and therefore we will not have any frustrated youth visiting us with mayhem.”
Ghana’s initial production of 120,000 barrels per day ranks the West African Nation as sub-Saharan Africa’s seventh largest producer, with output set to double within three years.
“I heard in the oil industry, there is a bigger money, the more you work hard, the more you earn , so I hope to earn big then further my education then, be able to take care of my family.”
The International Monetary Fund forecasts growth at 13 percent this year, with oil production accounting for around half of that. The country’s budget shows it will earn about 400 million dollars from oil this year, although the figure is likely to be higher if oil prices remain high. Samuel Agyeman an award winning journalist visiting from Ghana, says that unlike other oil producing countries in Africa, Ghana is likely to benefit from its petroleum revenues.
“The IMF report states that Ghana compared with other relatively oil producing countries is likely to really utilize its oil find. The reason being that we have found this oil at the time the country is well built in democracy and much aware of the challenges of the discovery of oil. So this has come at a time where people are much cautious about what to do to prevent the natural resource from being a curse but a blessing for the people itself. And if politicians stick to their promises to ensure that oil revenue is properly accounted for then I am sure we will make a head way.”
Mr. Agyeman observes that it’s a good thing for this educational institution like Sigma-Base Technical Services Limited to be set up in Takoradi.

“I recall that not too long ago, I covered the Chiefs of Takoradi who had gone to Parliament to present a proportion for a 10% fund set aside for the development Western Region. So I am sure that an educational institution like this will be good news for the people because at the end of the day local people are going to graduating from this school and working in oil companies unlike a situation where expatriates will come in to take over the jobs and leave locals unemployed or doing odd jobs.”
Analysts say if the oil money is used properly, the resource could be a game-changer for Ghana, helping to transform its aid-reliant economy to one on a par with nations such as Egypt or Iran.

By Paul Ndiho
May 20, 2011
Africa is a dynamic continent with diverse peoples, rhythms, vibrant activity, sensual spices and an immensely rich culture. A festival showcasing African culture begins Friday (5/20) here at Washington’s National Museum of Africa Art.
Passport Africa is growing in stature every year, celebrating positive attributes of Africa that are rarely portrayed in mainstream media. This year, I Dream of Africa Entertainment, or IDOA, is putting together African-fused events in the Washington metro area. Seaward Cooper, originally from Liberia, is one of the organizers.
“Passport to Africa is a great celebration of African culture. If you are intrigued about the different things that Africans doing in the United States, especially in the DC Metropolitan area, and you want to take advantage of that, it would be a good way for you to come and try some Kenyan food, Liberian food, Ghanaian food, try wines from different places in South Africa, that you may have never heard of, but this is just to introduce people to Africa. I think it’s a great celebration.”

When Passport to Africa started, its goal was to reach out to young Africa professionals, but now it also promotes African business. The weeklong festival is dedicated to vendors selling everything from original African clothing, to artifacts and colorful handcrafted jewelry from West Africa.
“This gives local artisans an opportunity to showcase what they’ve been working on and also gives people an opportunity to buy things they might not have come across before, you know, things that you aren’t going to find in your local mall or shops but these designers are here.”
Over the years, Passport Africa has grown to a vast audience and people from different demographics are attracted to the event. Mr. Cooper says the week culminates with Washington’s largest white so-called “white party” at a local nightclub.
“What the white party is… is that people come dressed in white and it’s put together by IDOA Entertainment and BCBG Productions. This is the 6th year we’ve done this party and it is a great dance party. We have Africans come from all over the country for this, people as far as Canada and Europe, and it’s a great event. The music is African-themed throughout the whole night, a great classy crowd and it’s just a fun time, a good way to start the summer.”
Fans of Passport to Africa say they feel that there is a need to expose Americans to African culture. And they say that if Americans experience that culture, maybe they might develop an interest in going to Africa, or giving to help the continen

By Paul Ndiho
May 17, 2011
Tunisian youth are playing active roles and have recently become more politicized as they continue to assert themselves, and demand for democratic change. Today, more young people are joining activist movements and taking a keen interest in government affairs.
Following the youth-led revolt that ousted Tunisia’s long time leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, young people are mobilizing to try to move the country toward a functioning democracy.
Many observers say the overthrow of Ben Ali in January helped break down much of the fear across the Middle East and North Africa in places with repressive regimes. Across the region, students and pro-democracy activists continue to clash with and push authorities for reforms and concessions, often resulting in protests spilling over into violence.

“We, the students are part of the national movement; we are an integral part of the national movement.”
Recent protest in Tunisia has prompted the government to implement a night-time curfew to control the streets. Around half of Tunisia’s population of 10 million is under 30 years of age. This protester says the voice of youths should not be ignored.
“We will continue to demand change until our demands are all met.”
Some in Tunisia are calling for an end to protests, while others, including state television, are saying some troublesome youths have been paid money to cause havoc.
“Some people are using Tunisian youths who have little political knowledge. It may be a particular party or movement who use them to further their goals.”
The National Youth Forum in Tunisia is bringing young political activists together. Political debates and party meetings were a taboo under the government of the ousted president, Ben Ali. Yu’ad Bilrajab, a youth leader, says the change in the political leadership means that the youth no longer have to fear open meetings.
“We are all youth who have gathered together despite not knowing each other. (Former President Zine el-Abidine) Ben Ali’s strength was in separating us and now this is bringing us together.”
“What we need is serious and real initiatives, opposite to what we have today. We can express our ideas and demand the youth to participate and present initiatives to help move Tunisia forward.”
Other activists in Tunisia say they believe there is an even bigger role to be played by their generation to help ensure their nation makes a successful transition to democracy.

By Paul Ndiho
May 17, 2011
Somalia’s Transitional Government says it’s making some progress in stabilizing the security situation, but a lot more needs to be done in the fight against al-Shabaab.
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, Prime Minister of Somalia, says the al-Qaida-linked militia group al-Shabaab is vowing to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by continuing kill and attack innocent civilians. Al-Shabab is trying to overthrow Somalia’s transitional government and set up a state based on a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The Somali- American prime minister says his government and Africa Union troops have boosted security around the capital Mogadishu, and are now expanding to other areas under their control.

“We’re making some progress and a lot of things need to be done. In a short period when we are in office, we have improved the security situation, we increased the revenue that enable us to pay salaries for all civil servants and the military, and, of course, to provide food for our military, medical service and we’re now to ready to face the enemy.”
Mohamed Farmajo says his government has made some significant gains in trying to reach out to young militants in the last couple of months and more than 150 al-Shabaab militia fighters have defected and joined the government forces.
“We have received calls from those youths asking where they can come if they want to defect. And also we communicate through the air, radios, and assure them that they will be welcome and provided with salary and education. We also tell them that this is not Somali culture or Islamic culture blow up and kill innocent people.”
Al-Shabaab controls much of southern and central Somalia but has lost some ground in recent weeks to a government offensive. Last week, officials in Somalia’s Puntland region said at least 26 people were killed in fighting between government soldiers and Islamist insurgents. Basto Ahmed, a US-based Somali community leader observes that the transitional government is making progress in the fight against Al- Shabbab.

“This government with the short period of time they have accomplished a lot. In other words, this is the first government which clearly has some sort of success on the ground against Al- Shabaab and against these terrorist groups that are in Somalia. They have made some significant gains; they’ve only been in office for the last 8 months.”
Ahmed says that the killing of bin Laden will diminish al-Qaida’s ability to support the Somali militant group.

“We hope that their funds, their economical funds from al-Shabaab came from al-Qaida. As of matter of fact, Somali news and Somali websites, they had a meeting today in a city called Afgooye and they declared themselves, the al-Shabaab leadership declared that the death of Bin Laden will be loss, because they used to get training from al-Qaida and because they used to get funds from al-Qaida.”
David Smock, Senior Vice President for the U.S. Institute of Peace, says that though African Union and Somali forces have made headway against al-Shabaab, the group may not be deterred by the death of the al Qaida leader.
“I think al-Shabaab, even though it’s facilitated with al Qaida, I don’t think it would significantly be influenced or held back by the death of bin Laden. I will expect al-Shabaab to carry on with his nastiness.”
Critics are urging Somalia’s transitional federal government to engage young militias in a dialogue aimed at integrating them into the government forces, and where possible, rehabilitate militants who have caused so much suffering in Somalia.