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Europe\’s electronic waste has become Africa\’s burden – The Hindu

August 21, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Development, Gambia, Mo Ibrahim, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Europe\’s electronic waste has become Africa\’s burden – The Hindu

via Europe\’s electronic waste has become Africa\’s burden – The Hindu.

The disposal of computers and other electronic and electrical goods, e-waste, is a growing global problem. In 2011, the world threw away 41.5m tonnes of electrical equipment, and this is expected to rise to 93.5m tonnes by 2016. This is a concern because dumped electronic consumer goods are, essentially, toxic waste.

In the second-hand markets of Lagos, Nigeria, little consideration is given to whether the item is tested or untested due to an abundance of repairers. But equipment shipped here untested is classed as e-waste, and so is in Lagos illegally. It might have been shipped in a container hidden behind working goods, concealed inside a car, or falsely described as a personal item. In many developing countries, e-waste is not treated to the same standard as in developed countries and there is often poor treatment leading to release of hazardous chemicals that can harm both people and the environment…

Lack of leadership in Africa: Ibrahim – Times LIVE

August 21, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Development, Education, Gambia, Mo Ibrahim, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Lack of leadership in Africa: Ibrahim – Times LIVE

via Lack of leadership in Africa: Ibrahim – Times LIVE.

Ibrahim was delivering the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture in Pretoria.

“Leadership is not about bossing people around…it is not about securing a seat in the UN Security Council on behalf of Africa, or chairing the African Union,” he said.

“Leadership is true engagement with Africa. You [South Africa] have a role to play.”

Ibrahim said that half of the continent’s population was below the age of 19, and that African youth could become the best in the future in terms of production.

This was because the population of countries such as China and many European countries were ageing. “But to do that, we need good education and training to equip these youngsters for the future. Through that, Africa can become the future factory of the world.”

Mo Farah backs petition for Barclays to keep cash transfers

August 11, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Africa, Barclays, Gambia, Mo Farah, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Mo Farah backs petition for Barclays to keep cash transfers

via Mo Farah backs petition for Barclays to keep cash transfers.

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Somali-born double Olympic champion Mo Farah has backed petitioners calling for Barclays to keep open its cash transfer business, a lifeline for millions of Somalis and others in developing countries who depend on remittances to survive.

London-based Barclays announced in June it would stop offering banking services to some Somali transfer firms because it feared funds might end up in the hands of “terrorists” in the Horn of Africa nation slowly emerging from two decades of conflict…

How African innovation can take on the world – CNN.com

August 11, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Africa, Development, Gambia, Peace & Security, peter singhateh Leave a comment

How African innovation can take on the world – CNN.com

via How African innovation can take on the world – CNN.com.

In this period of gloomy economic forecasts, Africa’s rise has become a widely discussed international policy topic. The sweeping optimism about Africa’s economic prospects has been reinforced by 2013 projections that the continent will grow faster than the world average….

Gamcotrap takes another giant step in stopping FGM – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia

July 9, 2013

Peter Singhatey Articles on Africa Africa, Culture & Tradition, FGM, Gambia, peter singhateh 1 Comment

Gamcotrap takes another giant step in stopping FGM – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia

via Gamcotrap takes another giant step in stopping FGM – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia.

The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of women and children (GAMCOTRAP) on 6 July 2013 took yet another bold step towards the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country by sensitizing the District of Kombo East, West Coast Region, on the harmfulness of FGM.

The day, which brought together more than hundred participants from villages all over Kombo East District, included community leaders, Imams, alkalos, ward councillors, and the chief of the district.

The occasion also addressed the effects of FGM, the right of children and women among other issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Gamcotrap Executive Director Isatou Touray commended the community of Kombo East for sparing time from their farm work to attend the occasion, and prayed for a fruitful rainy season.

Dr Touray said they had not conducted the occasion to force anyone to abandon FGM, nor were they out to fight religion, culture or tradition. They were instead in to raise awareness on the harmfulness of some traditional practices as well as to promote and protect the rights of women and children, she said.

She emphasised the importance of dialogue and respect for different and divergent opinions…

The false God of 0.7: understanding the Aid Business – By Richard Thomas | African Arguments

July 2, 2013

Peter Singhatey Development Aid Africa, Development, Gambia, UK Aid Programme Leave a comment

The false God of 0.7: understanding the Aid Business – By Richard Thomas | African Arguments

via The false God of 0.7: understanding the Aid Business – By Richard Thomas | African Arguments.

The debate about the UK aid programme has been heating up over the last few months. There is general agreement that we should respond to humanitarian disasters, such as famine or tsunamis, but the debate has now focused on whether we, the UK, should give 0.7% of our GDP towards our aid programme and whether this should be enshrined in law. The argument for an aid programme is strong, for reasons of self interest as well as morality, but the doubters are not short of powerful facts and difficult questions.

We will give £220m a year to the DRC in 2013-4, not a country with which we have close links, and one which according to Richard Dowden, has a government which is ‘unpopular, corrupt, rapacious and incapable of establishing effective institutions’. Other governments are not much better from the point of view of the poor. For example, why should we double our aid to Pakistan in the next two years when they do not bother to collect tax from the rich or give money to India when they have a space programme?

Obama lands in Africa amid Mandela gloom – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia

June 28, 2013

Peter Singhatey Uncategorized Africa, Development, Gambia, International Security, peter singhateh Leave a comment

Obama lands in Africa amid Mandela gloom – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia

via Obama lands in Africa amid Mandela gloom – The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia.

US President Barack Obama landed in Senegal on Wednesday to begin a long awaited first major tour of Africa with the world preparing to bid a reluctant farewell to Nelson Mandela.

The possibility that the critically ill anti-apartheid icon could fade away within days has sparked uncertainty about Obama’s itinerary.

Plans to visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania over the next week could be complicated, shifting the focus of a trip meant to ease the disappointment of Africans who saw expectations for Obama’s presidency fall short…

Fighting female genital mutilation in Africa – Features – Al Jazeera English

June 18, 2013

Peter Singhatey African Center for Strategic Studies Africa, FGM, Gambia, People & Society, peter singhateh, WHO Leave a comment

Fighting female genital mutilation in Africa – Features – Al Jazeera English.

On the International Day of the African Child, the suffering caused by female genital mutilation is under the spotlight with the controversial practice widely condemned by rights and health organisations.

According to the World Health Organisation , there are about 140 million girls and women around the world currently living with the consequences of the practice. The majority of these females are in Africa, where it is routinely done in 28 countries.

An estimated 101 million girls 10 years old and above have undergone varying forms of genital mutilation in Africa. A study by child rights and development organisation Plan International in Mali in 2010 found more than half of all fathers and one-third of mothers wanted their girls excised…