BBC

Outcry about poor coverage of Africa by western media may be paying off.

By George Bamu on July 7, 2012

A vendor sells newspapers at an intersection in Johannesburg, South Africa.

It has long been a point of contention within many African communities both at home and abroad that coverage of Africa by western news media is largely biased, if not fractured.

It’s a fractured view and image of an estimated one billion inhabitants of Africa, living in fifty four nations; from the North, West, East and Southern Africa.

The outcry has been consistent, with many Africans taking up opportunities to change perceptions about Africa with actions of various sorts. These actions include the drumming up of support to change behaviors towards Africans, the starting of media organizations that specialize in news coverage about Africa, commentaries and books about the issue.…

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After Lansana, what democracy in Guinea

By George Bamu on September 28, 2009

Who is deciding the future of Guinea?

In what appears to be civil unrest, the BBC is reporting that many people have been killed in Guinea following opposition protests against the candidacy of captain Moussa Dadis Camara in the country’s upcoming presidential elections. The elections are scheduled to hold in January 2010.
The current president, Moussa Camara took over, through a coup , in December 2008 following the death of long time president Lansana Konte. At the time, reports said he would remain in power until presidential elections are held and promised not to run for office himself.

The BBC says the following about why the unrest started:
“It was triggered by indications he is to reverse a pledge not to run in a presidential vote planned for January.”

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Tracking the G20 and Africa.

By George Bamu on September 25, 2009

Protests, questions, what not?
What are they saying and doing about Africa?

Photo:The BBC

For many years, developed countries have made lots of promises to help deliver health, development and democracy to Africa. Healthcare and economic development are most critical to the stability of the continent. From the G20, the G-8, the United Nations, the European Union, The World Trade Organization, you name it, everyone has made and continues to make promises to help the continent of Africa.
Critics argue that much is left to be desired from all these promises to Africa. The continent still lags behind in clean water and sanitation, treatment for preventable diseases etc.…

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Omar Bongo passes on; leaders call for peace.

By George Bamu on June 9, 2009

The analyses and psycho analysis has begun following the announcement of the death of Gabonese President Omar Bongo. Prior to his death, the speculations and speculators all wanted Mr. Bongo death, whether he had actually died or not. Mr. Bongo had been leader of Gabon since 1967. The calculations put the time that he led the country to about 42 years. He died at age 73.

Leaving all political bickering and machinations in Gabon to the people of Gabon, perhaps, it is time that the people of Africa, friends and lovers of the continent pause and ask what we can do to help Gabon move on and stand ready in the face of the current financial crisis rocking the world.…

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Bashir warrant arrest will serve neither peace nor justice

By George Bamu on March 23, 2009


Photo credits: BBC

According to Andrew Natsios, the arrest warrant issued by the UN calling for the arrest of Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir does not help the cause in that country.

Please see the full article written by Mr. Natsios for the Council On Foreign Relations(CFR) below.

Waltz With Bashir
Andrew Natsios

ANDREW NATSIOS is Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and was U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan in 2006–7.

Two weeks ago, the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced what many had long clamored for: an order for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, whom it indicted in July for the atrocities his government committed against the people of Darfur.…

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Tension mounts in Ghana ahead of election announcement

By George Bamu on December 31, 2008

Ghana’s electoral commission is set to release the result of last Sunday’s presidential runoff, perhaps as soon as this Friday. While the results from the last constituency are being counted, the BBC reports that tension has risen as the opposition and the ruling NPP party supporters prepare for the unknown. Stay tuned!

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Atta Mills set to win Ghana presidential runoff, reports say

By George Bamu on December 31, 2008

Based on reports from the BBC, Reuters and CNN, there is tension in Ghana as supporters of both the ruling party and the opposition started squaring off Sunday prior to the announcement of the runoff election results. A victor has not been announced but some reports say Atta Mills of the Opposition National democratic Congress (NDC) is ahead and poised to win.

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One Planet: Powering Africa’s Future

By George Bamu on December 5, 2008

If you are crazy about nuclear power in Africa, please check out the BBC’s series on this topic coming up Dec 4. read the below notes or follow the attached link to learn more.

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Africa is searching for future sources of energy. Vera Kwakofi looks at whether the continent should go nuclear or use solar power.

If you’ve ever flown over Africa at night, there’s no escaping the fact that it is a continent of darkness.  Lights twinkle only around the northern and southern tips of the continent. That’s because only one in three of Africa’s 700 million people has electricity, and in the countryside only one in ten has light at the flick of a switch.…

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2011 Africa Agenda