Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2010
Ghana: Recycled Bolga Baskets
Photos of recycled Bolga baskets from Ghana: “But this is not crappy marketing, this is just being honest. These baskets go quickly. So quickly that the photos to show from last week’s delivery are redundant because the damned things sold out already.”
Nigeria: Am I the last hope of my generation?
Nigerian blogger Adeola asks, “Am I the last hope of my generation?”: “Nollywood is torn apart by the amount of money that its members will receive for the support or campaign for Jonathan. One useless group called NIGERIA ECOWAS YOUTH or Nigerian Youths in ECOWAS has promised to open a...
Uganda: The Expat/Ugandan Dynamic
Mark Jordahl discusses corruption allegation at Uganda Wildlife Authority and lessons to be learnt about the dynamic between foreign experts and Ugandans: I believe that for some, there is a tendency to assume we mzungus bring more to the table than we actually do.”
Malawi: Bloggers discuss freedom of speech and 2014 election
Malawian bloggers are currently discussing the nomination of Malawian president's brother as the ruling party presidential candidate for 2014 elections and recent arrest of a Presbyterian senior pastor Rev Levi Njombole Nyondo. He is alleged to have uttered seditious words at a funeral service.
Ghana: Is Mario Balotelli Italian or Ghanaian?
Is Mario Balotelli Ghanaian or Italian? That's the question that has created a heated debate online. Mario Barwuah Balotelli is a football striker playing for Manchester City and Italian national team. He was born to Ghanaian immigrants in Italy.
Technology for Transparency: Five Lessons Learned
Rebekah Heacock and Renata Avila outline the learnings from the first round of Global Voices' Technology for Transparency Network collaborative research project, sharing links to several successful online initiatives.
Ghana: A plea for music education
Graham's plea for music education in Ghana: “Bedsides football, music is perhaps one of the most loved things in Ghana yet considered to be the most trivial when it comes to education or career choices.”
Benin: Traveler Recounts Experience at Porga Border
Toyin Ajao recounts his horrific experience at Porga border in Benin:”When it was my turn, the officer in charge asked me to pay 5,000cfa to get my passport stamped and I asked why it was so. He did not bother to answer me but commanded me to leave his sight...
Ghana: Sex Scenes in Ghanaian Movies
Nana Bosu notes that in an effort to appeal to African moviegoers and distinguish their films from Nigerian films, Ghanaian movie-makers include steamy sex scenes in their movies.
Nigeria: Why Farin Ruwa is not on Word Waterfall Database?
Farin Ruwa in Nasarawa State is one of the highest waterfalls on the continent but according to Jeremy, “…Farin Ruwa is not even listed on the World Waterfall Database.”
Malawi: Newest Edition of Chichewa Dictionary
Victor writes about the newest edition of Chichewa dictionary: “Foundation Heart for Malawi offers free access to the online Dictionary to everyone, though limited to 10 searches per day and to the first lines of an entry. “
Guinea Bissau: Videos about Water Scarcity
Blog Novas da Guiné Bissau shares the video Bafatá Misti Iagu (Bafatá Wants Water) [pt], describing a project that promotes the access to water for 22.000 people in the city of Bafatá. The issue of lack of access to safe water in Guinea Bissau had been previously reported in a documentary...
Global: The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 23rd is The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. A series of events are organized around the world by various organisations to help inscribe the tragic memory of the slave trade promote human rights.
Cape Verde: Debates on Youth and Politics Happening in Portugal
There is a group of Cape Verdean citizens who occasionally organize meetings in Lisbon to discuss the relations between youth and politics, as Suzano Costa explains in a video [pt] republished by Amilcar Tavares. In their blog – Tertúlia Crioula [pt] – one can read the notes taken from “Cape Verde in...
Africa: Ukash: ideal online payment solution for Africa
Ukash is the ideal online payment solution for Africa, argues Malawian blogger Nyirenda: “As some African geeks are trying to come up with their own solutions, it is interesting to see the emergence of the Ukash service, currently the the world’s fastest growing prepaid-cash issuing network.”
Angola: Why the Warthog is so ugly
African folklore: why the warthog is so ugly: “God created the warthog to be a fine-looking pig. He was so good-looking that he became vain and rude to all the other animals.”
Tanzania: Solar Hope in Tanzania
E.B writes about the work of the non-profit organization Solar Hope in Tanzanian schools: “Nine OIT students and two faculty members have landed in Tanzania and are currently installing the first round of solar panels, converters and chargers.”
Tanzania: Zanzibar wants independence
AfricanPress links to a story about Zanzibar renewing its bid for independence. Zanzibar and Tanganyika joined to form Tanzania in 1964.
Angola: The biggest open-air market in Africa
Mark and Jana writes about the the biggest open-air market in Africa, the Roque Santeiro Market in Angola:”…is known for being the biggest open-air market in Africa, for transacting thousands of dollars a day, and for being the main stage for the sale of every imaginable product.”
Tanzania: Tanzania Odyssey Photo Competition
Tanzania Odyssey Blog announces photo Tanzania Odyssey Photo Competition: “We are delighted to launch our new photo competition. This is in response to the vast number of amazing photos that we have received over the years.”
Benin: President Boni Yayi In Impeachment Row as MPs Switch Strategy
Le Blog Visage du Benin writes that The head of Benin's parliament has rejected a request by 48 MPs to impeach President Boni Yayi on charges of fraud [fr]. It adds that the MPs have decided to switch strategy and move the impeachment motion to an emergency procedure to be...
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