The Civic Beat

Innovative work for social, environmental and economic advancement.

How will the government of Malawi manage its population crisis?

By Muthi Nhlema on September 13, 2012

A group of Malawian children pose for a photo. (Teneke Warren, 2005)

Why do people decide to have children?

Beyond the social capital it brings – beyond those cute brown eyes – beyond the unmistakable and sometimes unpleasant small of soiled nappies – why do we have children?

There are a myriad of reasons for this somewhat inexplicable human impulse – some simply want a replica of themselves – others see it as the next stage in the pursuit of happiness like getting married or paying taxes – others believe that to populate the planet is humanity’s sole purpose.

Whatever the reason, we are now at a crossroads where we have to weigh our reasons against a possible future where having children may probably be seen as the most irresponsible thing to do.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By Muthi Nhlema on September 13, 2012.
zero

Women leaders would position Cameroon for greatness

By Andrew Nelson on July 19, 2012

Dr. Nalova Lyon, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Cameroon

My wife and I traveled to Cameroon in April this year to visit friends that we had made on a trip in 2010.  Being our second trip to Cameroon, we saw different aspects of the country than we had previously not seen. The following is a brief description of how we perceived the cultural and political environment in Cameroon and the effect it is having on the prospects of economic growth, democracy and education.

Today, i look at the role of women in Cameroon.

Cameroon is a patriarchy. Men seem to complicate every single transaction within the country as they struggle for more power and wealth.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By Andrew Nelson on July 19, 2012.
zero

Former U.S. president George W. Bush opens a clinic in Zambia.

By George Bamu on July 4, 2012

Former president George W. Bush and Laura Bush at a ribbon cutting ceremony in Zambia

According to the political website POLITICO, former president George W. Bush is spending time in Africa and championing efforts in the detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

According to POLITICO, Mr. Bush and his wife, former U.S. first lady Laura Bush are traveling between Zambia and Botswana for this effort.

Mike Allen, chief White House correspondent for POLITICO writes that “the cervical-cancer project is a collaboration among his George W. Bush institute, the U.S. government and the private sector.”

While he was president, Bush received much praise for his efforts in helping fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Much of that effort was channeled through PEPFAR, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By George Bamu on July 4, 2012.
zero

Despite negative impact, extractive industry helping to develop Cameroon nation.

By Brendan Schwartz on July 2, 2012

Relufa.org

Cameroon has taken a high level political and economic decision to promote the development of its mining sector. The success of the mining sector and Cameroon’s economic emergence will ultimately depend on its ability to transform mining royalties into poverty alleviation, growth, and employment at the local and national levels.

The debate on the management of revenue from natural resources in Cameroon has shifted from the central government level to local councils and communities. This shift is justified by the fact that local councils in the forested areas of Cameroon have been accorded the right to manage a portion of the revenue generated from forest exploitation as a result of forest sector reforms introduced by the government with the support of the World Bank.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By Brendan Schwartz on July 2, 2012.
zero

Ugandan choir brings African excitement to Aurora

By George Bamu on April 15, 2012

Orphan's choir in concert

If you have never danced to an African theme music before, then you probably won’t resist the style, energy and lure of the Ugandan orphan’s choir after you see or hear them perform. The choir is composed of 10 children, nine to fourteen years old from the Ssesse islands around the Lake Victoria area of Uganda. All ten children are orphans, rescued by the international non-profit, Childcare World.

At a recent live performance at St Paul Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado, the spectacle and ambiance of their dancing was what wowed the audience to a standing ovation and massive outpouring of support for the children.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By George Bamu on April 15, 2012.
zero

Africans have grown in democracy, new Malawian leader tells Al Jazeera TV

By Guest on April 8, 2012

Joyce Banda Credit: Getty Images

We are beginning to learn more about Malawi’s first female president, Joyce Banda, who assumed the presidency April 7 after the death of president Bingi wa Muthariza.

Banda was vice president and the natural successor to the president according to Malawi’s constitution but frequent wrangling with Muthariza fueled speculation that she would be blocked from taking over. Despite disagreements and speculations of a succession struggle, the new president is optimistic that Malawians will place their trust in her leadership going forward.

Source : NPR News

Share on Facebook

Related Articles

…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By Guest on April 8, 2012.
zero

Freedom of the Press Alive and Well in Kenya

By Andrew Katarikawe on April 5, 2012

In January Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki suspended Kenyan Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza and appointed a tribunal to investigate her conduct in an incident that occurred on December 31, 2011. According to a story that first appeared under the headline “Deputy CJ in Gun Drama” in Kenyan newspaper The Star on January 4, 2012, the DCJ went to the upscale Village Market Mall in Gigiri, Nairobi, and walked past the mall entrance security checkpoint where other mall customers were waiting in a queue to be searched.

Security guard Rebecca Morara Kerubo, who told The Star that she did not recognize the DCJ, followed the DCJ and told her she had to undergo the routine mandatory search.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By Andrew Katarikawe on April 5, 2012.
zero

Obama showers John Atta Mills with praise

By George Bamu on April 4, 2012

Obama and Atta Mills
At a White House press briefing March 8, President Obama made this statement about Ghana: “There is sometimes a tendency to focus on the challenges that exist in Africa, and rightfully so. But I think it is important to also focus on the good news that’s coming out of Africa, and Ghana continues to be a good news story” Sitting to the right of Obama, Ghana’s President John Atta Mills could be seen visibly smiling and raising his eyes to the comments. Not surprising for Mills, as Ghana has remained stable and prosperous under his leadership for the last three years.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By George Bamu on April 4, 2012.
one

Andudu leading Sudan peace efforts from Denver

By George Bamu on March 31, 2012

Andudu with members of the Sudanese communty

He recently marched along side American movie star George Clooney at the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C, and he is the episcopal bishop of the diocese of Kudugli, capital of South Kordofan or Nuba Mountain State in Sudan. While the Rt. Rev. Andudu Adam Elnail may not have seen a movie by George Clooney, as he readily admits, he is a leading spokesperson for the people of the Nuba Mountains.

Andudu is now in Denver and working to bring peace to Sudan after he could not return home because he was on a list of wanted people by Sudanese government officials.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By George Bamu on March 31, 2012.
zero

Development Activities Shining Spotlight on South Sudan.

By George Bamu on February 11, 2012

The top African news of the moment may not be the fact that last December, Time magazine placed positive African news on its cover and reported substantive facts, statistics and lessons about economic growth and improvement in African way of life in the last decade. The experts at The Economist said, “After decades of slow growth, Africa has a real chance to follow in the footsteps of Asia.”

What is the top African news for the time being is that the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS), after gaining independence from its northern neighbor, the Republic of Sudan (RoS), faces daunting development and survival challenges.…

[Full Post]

Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterDigg This
By George Bamu on February 11, 2012.
zero
2011 Africa Agenda