VOA News: Africa: Zambia’s President Accuses Foreign Diplomats of Meddling

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Zambia's President Accuses Foreign Diplomats of Meddling May 11th 2012, 06:17 Zambian President Michael Sata has warned foreign diplomats against meddling in Zambia's internal affairs. The warning came after opposition leaders reportedly met with European Union officials in Lusaka over the government's suspension of three judges. Information Minister Fackson Shamenda said President Sata was simply reminding the diplomats to follow protocol, including informing Zambia's foreign minister before meeting with Zambian opposition or NGOs. "He [President Sata] was just reminding the diplomats and the Zambians who were going to interact with the diplomats that there are certain procedures which are used in international affairs on how you relate to diplomats. So whenever diplomats are meeting others, particularly political leaders or NGOs for that matter, it is important that the foreign minister is aware," he said. Shamenda rejected the suggestion that the Sata government was being restrictive of the movement of its citizens. He said the president's comments were meant to protect the diplomats involved. "The president is not stopping anybody from meeting anyone.. I'd like to make it very clear. If an ambassador comes here accredited, he has to be protected. Supposed this ambassador is going to meet one of the opposition parties, and some members of the other opposition start to harass him, it is the Zambian government which is going to be in problem, he said. A number of opposition leaders, including the former ruling MMD party met in Zambia Tuesday with a European Union delegation about the Zambian government's decision to suspend three judges. Shamenda said the government wants to set up a tribunal to investigate allegations misconduct by the judges. He denied that the suspension of the judges could be seeing as an assault on democracy and the independence of the judiciary. "Nobody is harassing anybody. If anything, it's good for our society because these are members of the bench. If people lose in the judiciary, then we have got a problem. So that's what we are trying to do. We are trying to clean up hen we are trying to clean up, there is a problem. We keep quiet, then they would say no you are keeping those are corrupt," Shamenda said. He rejected any suggestion that people might interpret President Sata's warning to mean that the president, who was once a long-time opposition leader, was becoming dictatorial. He said Zambia under President Sata's leadership has become an open society with an unprecedented free media. "What dictatorship are you talking about? There is a freedom of the press. It has never been freed under the leadership of a president than Michael Sata," Shamenda said. Media files: PNN_Michael-Sata_300x300.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) ap_zambia_new_president_230_23Sep11.jpg butty-zambia-foreign-interference-shamenda-11may12.mp3 (audio/mpeg)

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VOA News: Africa: Ghana Government Committed to Peaceful Elections

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Ghana Government Committed to Peaceful Elections May 11th 2012, 01:16 Ghana's attorney general and minister of justice said President John Atta Mills' government is committed to ensuring the December general elections are peaceful and credible. Benjamin Kumbuor said the administration is implementing measures to prevent electoral disputes, which he said often lead to violence and property destruction. Voters register Last week the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) concluded the process of compiling a list of prospective voters. The voter list is scheduled to be used in the presidential, legislative, and local elections. The electoral body used a biometric system including taking people's thumbprints. This, it said, enables officials to maintain quality control of the registration process. Kumbuor said since Ghana's latest embrace of democracy in 1993, the country learned what he said were triggers that could lead to election disputes and possible violence. "One of the first things is to make sure that the controversy that normally surrounds the register was dealt with…The first lesson we learned from that was to see the extent to which the voters' register in some particular constituencies and regions have been bloated over the years," said Kumbuor. "There is a very high level of commitment at all levels of government, to show clearly, by example, a leadership that we have a responsibility, to ensure that all the rules of democratic engagement, in relation to elections are observed to the letter." Preventing violence Kumbuor said the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on other political parties to renounce any violent rhetoric, which he said could plunge the country into chaos. Kumbuor expressed concerns about politicians who see elections as a do-or-die affair, which, he said, defeats the tenets of democracy. "The people are the judges, whether it is a government or opposition. The test for a government is to see whether it has delivered on its promises, or it has put in the mechanisms to ensure that its promises during the previous elections are delivered," said Kumbuor. Bolstering security Some observers have expressed concerns about politicians using insulting or violent rhetoric, which they said could undermine the country's peace. Kumbuor said security agencies are undergoing training to help prevent violence in the run up to the December vote. "We have been getting our security agencies trained, re-trained and prepared… the security officers who will be manning the polling stations have to be trained in the law and the guidelines governing elections," said Kumbuor. "We continue to make the people of Ghana see clearly that when you throw your country into a type of political inferno, you might end up not having a strong government...Throwing grenades and rockets and butchering each other is certainly not one of those values and social goods that a country would want." Kumbuor said the administration is determined to ensure that all Ghanaians adhere to the rules of democratic engagements ahead of the poll. He said the government, with help from the international donor community, has made funds available to INEC to organize the elections. Media files: clottey-ghana-elections-kumbuor-11may2012.mp3 (audio/mpeg)

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VOA News: Africa: At Least 15 Injured in Guinea Protests

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

At Least 15 Injured in Guinea Protests May 11th 2012, 01:18 Security forces in Guinea clashed with opposition demonstrators in Conakry on Thursday, injuring at least 15 people. Opposition leaders have promised daily protests as they press for greater transparency in the organization of delayed legislative elections. What began as a peaceful opposition march descended into violence that shut down the city for several hours. A VOA reporter on the scene said security forces fired tear gas to disperse protestors and that clashes erupted among marchers, security forces and supporters of the ruling party.  The violence occurred when demonstrators tried to pass the ruling party headquarters. Opposition leader, Cellou Dallein Diallo, addressed the demonstrators. Diallo asked, "You aren't afraid of tear gas or even bullets, are you?" to which the crowd yelled, "No!"  Diallo said the marchers are calling for respect for their rights and that they will take to the streets again on Friday, and will continue to do so until they achieve victory. The opposition is demanding the reorganization of the electoral commission and an audit of the voter rolls. Opposition leader Sidya Toure said they suspect the government of trying to rig the elections in favor of the president's party. Toure said they are not going to accept the "electoral holdup."  Toure said the demonstrators want to show the government that the nation is opposed to fraud. Guinea has a history of violent, and sometimes deadly, clashes between security forces and protestors. Dr. Ibrahima Balde of the Mother and Child Center says his clinic treated 15 wounded demonstrators. Balde says there were several serious injuries, including blows to the head, face and limbs. Guinea's legislative elections were expected in May 2011 -- six months after President Alpha Conde's inauguration.  Last week, President Conde again pushed back the vote, which had been set for July 8.  He pointed to "technical reasons" related to voter registration and the revision of voter lists.  No new date has been set.   The elections are seen as the final step of what has been a tumultuous transition to democracy following a 2008 military coup d'état and 50 years of authoritarian rule. The National Transition Council, put in place in 2010, serves as the nation's parliament.  Guinea last held legislative elections in 2002. Media files: AFP_guinea_elections_riots_10may12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) AFP_guinea_elections_riots_10may12-230.jpg

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VOA News: Asia: Blind Chinese Activist: No Progress Made on Passport

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

Blind Chinese Activist: No Progress Made on Passport May 10th 2012, 23:18 Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng says all of the paperwork for his trip to the U.S. is ready from the American side, but that there has been no progress made on his passport from Chinese authorities. In an interview with VOA Thursday from a hospital in Beijing, Chen said he spoke with Professor Jerome Cohen, who invited him to study law at New York University.  Chen said Cohen told him that the university is ready for his arrival and that "both the principal and president of the university extended a welcome" to him. Chen said that, as of now, there is no trace of his or his family's passports.  He said that on Monday, a mid-level official from the State Bureau for Letters and Calls discussed applications for passports with him, but did not give any feedback. Chen said he submitted the application "orally," and informed the official that according to the Chinese law, blind people do not need to submit an application, or even file a lawsuit, in writing.  He said the government official assured him that "it will get done," but that he did not say when. Chen was given a four-year prison sentence in 2006 for exposing abuses under China's forced abortion policy aimed at population control.  He had been under house arrest since 2010, before fleeing on April 22 to the U.S. embassy in Beijing, where he remained for six days. The self-taught legal activist agreed to depart the embassy under a deal reached by U.S. and Chinese authorities that would have allowed him to stay in a safe place in China and study law.  But he changed his mind hours after leaving the embassy, saying his family had been threatened, and he wanted to go to the United States. Chen's stay at the U.S. embassy prompted complaints of '"interference" by Chinese officials.  China said the United States should "take necessary measures" to prevent a repeat of events like the case of Chen Guangcheng. The activist, who has been blind since childhood, is at a Beijing hospital recovering from injuries sustained in his escape almost three weeks ago. Media files: AP China Dissident Chen Guangcheng 230.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: Ethiopia's Meles Blames African Corruption on Foreign Investors

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Ethiopia's Meles Blames African Corruption on Foreign Investors May 10th 2012, 23:17 What is the poison that corrupts many African leaders, no matter how honorable their intentions when they take office?  That was the question put to a panel of that included heads of state and government at the World Economic Forum on Africa on Thursday.  The question received a surprisingly candid answer. It was promoted as a conversation on Africa's leadership.  Among those on stage were the leaders of Africa's two most populous nations - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The conversation was routine until the floor was opened to questions from youth leaders.  A young South African woman stood up to ask the question that many had pondered, but few dared to pose. "Good day.  My name is Gobano Madnamaraso," she said. "When our leaders are young - most of our African leaders - they are visionaries.  They have wonderful visions for our continent.  They are admirable.  The speak good, they do good.  But something happens to them once they are seated in those chairs of power.  My question is:  We want to see our continent change, but we are afraid of this power that corrupts even some of the best, most admirable leaders on our continent, and what is this poison that happens in these chairs of power and how can we prevent it? " But perhaps just as frank as the question was the reply. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi pointed to greedy foreign corporations as a main driver of corruption. "What is the poison that leaders face when you go to national palaces, and transforms people with vision sometimes into ordinary thieves?  Let's start with the total amount of loot in Africa, and what our role as leaders in that loot[ing] is," said Meles. "The vast majority of the loot[ing] is done by properly organized companies through all sorts of accounting gimmicks." Meles said African leaders are forced to be facilitators for foreign companies who demand favors in return for their investment that might means jobs for their people. "It's a difficult thing to manage because our bargaining cards are very limited," he said. "We need these companies to create jobs, in order for them to come to Africa.  The image is very negative, so the risk is artificially spiked.  And if the risk is artificially spiked, the return has to be commensurate with the risk.  And so it's difficult to attract them without extraordinary returns." The Ethiopian leader said that sometimes leaders give in to temptation. "Sometimes we facilitate without being paid," he said. "At other times we say, 'Okay, if your family's farm is being looted, why not join in?'  I think that is the most insidious form of corruption.  It affects everybody, including those whose hands are not in the till." Another question that was less confrontational, but no less pointed, came from young Sudanese woman who wanted an explanation for the lack of female representation among African leaders. "Hello, I am Jihada Bonefice from the Khartoum hub in Sudan," she said. "It's quite wonderful to see all you gentlemen up there.  But my question is:  How do you envision the role of African women in shaping the future?  And is there any way you are trying very hard to maybe to get African women where they belong - right up there [on stage]?" Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba answered, saying "Women are Africa's chance for success tomorrow."  But panelists agreed that solutions to the continent's leadership gender imbalance will be difficult. Increasing the ranks of female leaders will be among topics discussed at Friday's closing forum meetings, along with China's rising prominence in Africa. Media files: Reuters_Ethiopia_IGAD_Somalia_11_25_2011_480.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) AP_meles_zenawi_16nov11.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: Guinea Election Reform Protests Spark Clashes

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Guinea Election Reform Protests Spark Clashes May 10th 2012, 23:21 Opposition party members and government supporters clashed on the streets of Guinea's capital, Conakry, Thursday during an opposition march calling for electoral reform. The conflicts broke out as members of several opposition groups made their way along the protest route. President Alpha Conde's supporters "were throwing stones, coming at them with whatever they had," said the co-founder of Alliance Guinea, Jennifer Swift-Morgan. She added her sources in Conakry confirmed there were also minor clashes with security forces. "Our understanding is that there were both some police that were trying to facilitate the march, and also those that were beating people back with batons as well." The protests were organized to call for an audit of voter polls and for changes to the country's electoral commission, known as CENI, ahead of long-delayed legislative elections. Last month President Conde announced he was yet again postponing the legislative elections, which had been set for July 8. The votes were originally supposed to be held shortly after Conde's election-win in November 2010. Swift-Morgan said opposition members are frustrated with the continued delays. But she said they are equally frustrated with what they say is strong bias in the supposedly independent election commission and problems with voter registration. "The opposition party members themselves were talking about not supporting the July 8 date that Conde just announced had been changed," she said. "Really what they're protesting against is the conditions under which the elections were to be held." Conde changed the July 8 date so that officials could have more time to sort out the alleged voter registration problems. For now, Swift-Morgan said the country is controlled almost solely by the executive office. "From Alliance Guinea's perspective, it's an absolute travesty of democracy in Guinea," she said. "The historical presidential elections that were held in 2010 were but the first step in what was supposed to be an entire transition process to get Guinea from military rule to a full-fledged civilian-led democracy, and that transition has not essentially happened." President Conde was elected in 2010, during Guinea's first free and fair presidential election since independence in 1958. Media files: AFP_guinea_elections_riots_10may12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) AFP_guinea_elections_riots_10may12-230.jpg

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VOA News: USA: Census Bureau: Foreign-Born Population in US Reaches Record 40 Million

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

Census Bureau: Foreign-Born Population in US Reaches Record 40 Million May 10th 2012, 22:23 The U.S. Census Bureau released data on Thursday showing that America's foreign-born population has risen to an all-time high of 40 million.  The data also shows that people who have come to live in the U.S. tend to reside in larger households with more children and grandparents, compared to native households.   The Census Bureau defines a "foreign born" as a person living in the United States who was not an American citizen at birth - regardless of whether the individual is now a citizen or legal resident. Elizabeth Grieco, head of the bureau's Foreign-Born Population Branch, said the total number has grown from just under 10 million in 1970 to a record 40 million two years ago. "Now while the number of foreign born in 2010 does represent a historical high, the proportion of the total population was lower than during the great migration wave of the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the proportion fluctuated between 13 and 15 percent," she said. She said most of the increase was in the early part of the decade, before 2006. The data in the report comes from the 2010 American Community Survey.  It is a set of questions posed yearly to a sampling of the population.  And it goes into much more detail than the nationwide decennial census. The report found that foreign-born households on average had more children and grandparents, and Grieco said they were not as likely to be led by a single parent. "A higher proportion of foreign born than native-born households were maintained by a married couple," she said. The data also showed that the fertility rate among foreign women was 35 percent higher than among native-born women.   Foreign-born households earned on average a little more than $46,000 a year, compared to just over $50,000 for native households. And Grieco said that while foreign-born residents live in every state, more than half are concentrated in just four states: California, New York, Texas and Florida. Media files: Foreign-Born-Population-US-480x300.png (image/png, 0.1 MB) us_immigrants_Illegals_ny_fedynsky_230_25april2012.jpg

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VOA News: Asia: US Raises Concerns with China about Reported Chen Reprisals

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

US Raises Concerns with China about Reported Chen Reprisals May 10th 2012, 21:54 U.S. officials say they are in contact with Chinese authorities about "concerning reports" by blind activist Chen Guangcheng that his relatives are being intimidated. U.S. State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland says the U.S. could not independently confirm the reports, because it does not have a presence in Shandong province. "So we've made inquiries. We've expressed our concern should there be any sense of reprisal, et cetera, but we are awaiting further information," she told reporters Thursday at a daily briefing in Washington. Chen has told reporters his brother and sister-in-law are under house arrest in their village in Shandong province, and that police are detaining his nephew. Chen told VOA this week his nephew was detained after suffering a "ruthless" beating by "thugs with wooden sticks." After nearly two years under his own extrajudicial detention, Chen broke free April 22 in a daring flight to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The case has embarrassed China and complicated U.S.-Sino relations. Chen has left the embassy and is being treated in a local hospital as part of a deal the U.S. said would also allow Chen to receive visits from U.S. officials. But Chen says Chinese authorities are not permitting those visits. U.S. State Department spokesman Nuland confirmed to reporters this week that U.S. officials have not seen Chen since Friday, and only have made phone contact with him this week. However, she downplayed the issue, saying, "We are satisfied with the contact that we've had with him." A U.S. official said on background Thursday that Washington does not want to push the issue and further antagonize China by insisting it uphold its deal. The official said the U.S. believes the situation will be better resolved if they let it go for the moment. Chen served four years in prison in 2006 for damaging property and disrupting traffic, charges his lawyers say were trumped up to punish him for exposing forced abortions and sterilizations. The self-taught lawyer is now awaiting permission from China to study law in the United States. Media files: AP China US Amb Gary Locke Activist Chen Guangcheng 480.jpg (image/jpeg, 0 MB) AP China Dissident Chen Guangcheng 230.jpg

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VOA News: Asia: China Plays Bigger Diplomatic Role in Sudan Conflict

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

China Plays Bigger Diplomatic Role in Sudan Conflict May 10th 2012, 21:53 <!--AV--> China is playing a bigger diplomatic role in trying to end hostility between Sudan and South Sudan. The Obama administration says that could help resolve a standoff that has cut Sudanese oil exports. Most of the recent fighting between Sudan and South Sudan ended when Sudanese troops recaptured the key oil town of Heglig.  But the dispute over oil revenue remains, with South Sudan stopping crude production after refusing to pay higher fees to use Sudan's pipelines. China is the biggest foreign investor in Sudanese oil and is taking a more active role in trying to end the dispute. Oil and security topped the agenda druing South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's visit to Beijing. Liu Weimin, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said "We believe oil is the economic lifeline for both Sudan and South Sudan. Maintaining the stability and sustainability of oil cooperation is fundamental to the interests of both countries and is consistent with the interests of Chinese enterprises." Sudanese oil was a topic of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's strategic and economic dialogue in Beijing.  U.S. special envoy Princeton Lyman says Washington is "delighted" by China's role in helping to ease tensions. "They have increasingly recognized that if the political issues in Sudan and between Sudan and South Sudan are not resolved, neither the oil nor their other interests can be served," he said. During Sudan's long civil war, China backed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. But Beijing is now investing in South Sudan. John Bradshaw is executive director of the Enough Project to end genocide and crimes against humanity. "The Chinese have recognized that the kind of dynamic they had working with the regime in Khartoum is just no longer sustainable, and they have to have a more balanced approach between Juba and Khartoum to try to bring the two sides together," he said. Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at Washington's Cato Institute. He says greater Chinese involvement helps both Sudan and the international community. "If they (the Chinese) see a practical reason to try to solve the Sudan problem, well the U.S. and the Europeans also want to solve that. We can work together as opposed to being at odds," he said. During his visit to Beijing, South Sudanese President Kiir sought Chinese investment to build an oil pipeline through Kenya to avoid using Khartoum-controlled ports. Media files: SouthSudanCuriousMap.png China_Sudan_STERNSWeb-fixed-x264-Platform_YTHQFull__442156.mp4 (video/mp4)

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VOA News: Asia: Indian Government Takes Heat for Rotting Wheat

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

Indian Government Takes Heat for Rotting Wheat May 10th 2012, 20:35 India's government is coming under fire for letting tons of wheat from the country's bumper crop rot away.  There is a growing controversy in a country where nearly half of all children do not get enough to eat. In Bhopal, India anger and frustration boil over -  protesters clashing with police, blaming government officials for letting their harvests go to waste. <!--AV--> On Thursday, Punjab state's deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal placed the blame at the top. "The grain is not with us, it is in the custody of the FCI [Food Corporation of India]. So it is FCI's property, if they have let it rot its FCI's problem," he said. In New Delhi, Food Minister K.V. Thomas was quick to dismiss any concerns. "I had a discussion with the minister of agriculture of Punjab a few days back. My report is that they are managing all these things," he said. But pictures from around India tell a different story - piles of wheat at this grain market in Rajasthan exposed to the elements, rotting away following a heavy rainfall. Another pile makes a comfortable bed for a dog. Farmers are outraged. "Even looking at all this, there is no mercy for farmers," said farmer Raghu. "There is no administration or collector to look into the matter. Anybody who comes here just gives assurance that our work will be done soon. But no one comes after that." The vast shortage of storage facilities has sparked bitter debate in New Delhi, where officials have said there is simply no where to put an estimated 12 million tons of surplus grain this year. So for now there is little hope for farmers, forced to watch as their good grain goes bad. Media files: ap_india_rotten_grain_09May12-resizedpx480q100dpi96shp8.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.3 MB) ap_india_rotten_grain_230_09May12.jpg CNPK_India_Rotting_Wheat-fixed-x264-Platform_YTHQFull__613852.mp4 (video/mp4)

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VOA News: USA: In Congress, Mixed Reaction to Obama's Support for Gay Marriage

VOA News: USA USA Voice of America

In Congress, Mixed Reaction to Obama's Support for Gay Marriage May 10th 2012, 20:20 Reaction in the U.S. Congress to President Barack Obama's Wednesday announcement that he supports homosexual marriage has been mixed. Several leading Democrats cheered the statement as a historic advancement of civil rights, while several Republican lawmakers said they are concerned with the main issue Americans are focused on, which is jobs. "Yesterday was quite historic for all us," said Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., House of Representatives Minority Leader, strongly praising President Obama's announcement. "America's children and families, workers saw history being made right before their very eyes -- the president of the United States advancing civil rights in our country." Pelosi also responded when asked whether her religion, Roman Catholicism, made same-sex marriage a difficult issue for her. "My religion compels me -- and I love it for it -- to be against discrimination of any kind in our country," she said. "And I consider [being against same-sex marriage] a form of discrimination, I think it is unconstitutional on top of that." Several other prominent Democrats also welcomed the president's announcement, including Representative Barney Frank, D-Mass., one of four openly gay members of the House. Frank said that although the president's stand could pose political risks this election year, he does not believe that Obama will lose a single vote over the issue. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., backed the right of states to define marriage, but said that, if his state were to vote on it, he would "follow his grandchildren and children," who he indicated support same-sex marriage. Congressional Republicans were not as vocal as Democrats on the president's announcement. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, seemed to downplay the issue of gay marriage, saying that Republicans are focused on the economy. "I believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and the president and the Democrats can talk about this all they want," he said. But the fact is the American people are focused on our economy, and they are asking the question, 'Where are the jobs?'" In court, House Republicans are fighting the Obama administration's decision not to defend the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Rep. Pelosi said she believes that Americans eventually will accept same-sex marriage. "It is a matter of time. It is all about time," she said. "And on these issues, what is inevitable to some of us is inconceivable to others, and what we want to do is to shorten the difference between the inevitable and the inconceivable." A recent Gallup public opinion survey shows that Americans are evenly split on the issue, with 50 percent of those polled saying they support gay marriage. That is up from 27 percent in 1996 when Gallup first posed the question. Media files: ap_us_obama_gay_marriage_480_09may2012.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) AP_Obama_230_10may12.JPG

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VOA News: Africa: Africa's Transformation on Display at World Economic Forum

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

Africa's Transformation on Display at World Economic Forum May 10th 2012, 19:36 The pace of change across Africa may be about to accelerate, driven by advances in technology that are just breaking onto the scene. The World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa provides a peek at the coming transformation. Africa's big guns attended the forum. Seven heads of state were at the top of a long list of luminaries such as former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. But the big ideas were coming from relative unknowns, names like Ory Okolloh, Bright Simons and Omobola Johnson, who were featured speakers at a session on Africa's innovators. Young developers driving change Okolloh, policy manager for Google South Africa, explained what Google is doing with a group she called "young developers." "We have set up something called Google Tech User Groups in more than 30 countries like DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], Cote d'Ivoire [Ivory Coast]. Establishing a footprint, and giving these developers who are doing what they were doing anyway, but without the resources, without some of the skills around how to improve an application for instance, or to better improve a user interface [or] how to get an app to market," said Okolloh. Bright Simons is president of Mpedigree Network in Ghana. Concerned about the deaths of 2,000 people a day from fake medical products, his firm came up with a way to help consumers know that the medicines they buy are genuine. "We've been trying in about six countries in Africa to create a mechanism where manufacturers and distributors of medicine can implant a unique ID, identification tags on each pack of medicine, so when the consumer buys the medicine, that comes with a free text message or a free MMS, using a cameraphone to verify instantly whether the particular medicine they are holding is likely to kill them or save their lives," said Simons. Major wave of innovation on horizon Omobola Johnson is Nigeria's minister of communications technology. She said her government is working with the tech giants to allow people with good ideas the chance to do great things. "It's the responsibility of us as policy makers to look at, 'How do we create that environment that allows those innovators to thrive and succeed?' Google is working with us, creating islands of sanity where people can think, and taking ideas into reality and commercialization," she said. Okolloh said the online world is helping to break down social barriers that have prevented some Africans from achieving success. "It frees people from waiting for someone to make things happen for them, which has been a big challenge for young people especially.  And, that's why they're gravitating to technology so much," she said. "It's the one space where you don't have to come from the right family, or the right tribe, or have the right connection to make it. And it's an area old people don't understand, so they can't dominate it." Okolloh admits that, as a woman, she also loves technology because it neutralizes gender stereotypes. "I'm not sure I'd be as successful as I am as a woman in a profession other than in technology. Because it tends to be a bit neutral. If you have the tools, if you can code, it's a lot more sort of merit, and recognizes talent." These innovators say that in as little as five years, a combination of fresh ideas and demographic imperatives will begin to revolutionize Africa. As several participants at the economic forum noted, half of the continent's population is under 30, and they are demanding change. Media files: reuters_ethiopia_world_economic_forum_480_10may2012.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reuters_ethiopia_world_economic_forum_230_10may2012.jpg

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VOA News: Economy: Africa's Transformation on Display at World Economic Forum

VOA News: Economy Economy Voice of America

Africa's Transformation on Display at World Economic Forum May 10th 2012, 19:36 The pace of change across Africa may be about to accelerate, driven by advances in technology that are just breaking onto the scene. The World Economic Forum on Africa in Addis Ababa provides a peek at the coming transformation. Africa's big guns attended the forum. Seven heads of state were at the top of a long list of luminaries such as former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. But the big ideas were coming from relative unknowns, names like Ory Okolloh, Bright Simons and Omobola Johnson, who were featured speakers at a session on Africa's innovators. Young developers driving change Okolloh, policy manager for Google South Africa, explained what Google is doing with a group she called "young developers." "We have set up something called Google Tech User Groups in more than 30 countries like DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], Cote d'Ivoire [Ivory Coast]. Establishing a footprint, and giving these developers who are doing what they were doing anyway, but without the resources, without some of the skills around how to improve an application for instance, or to better improve a user interface [or] how to get an app to market," said Okolloh. Bright Simons is president of Mpedigree Network in Ghana. Concerned about the deaths of 2,000 people a day from fake medical products, his firm came up with a way to help consumers know that the medicines they buy are genuine. "We've been trying in about six countries in Africa to create a mechanism where manufacturers and distributors of medicine can implant a unique ID, identification tags on each pack of medicine, so when the consumer buys the medicine, that comes with a free text message or a free MMS, using a cameraphone to verify instantly whether the particular medicine they are holding is likely to kill them or save their lives," said Simons. Major wave of innovation on horizon Omobola Johnson is Nigeria's minister of communications technology. She said her government is working with the tech giants to allow people with good ideas the chance to do great things. "It's the responsibility of us as policy makers to look at, 'How do we create that environment that allows those innovators to thrive and succeed?' Google is working with us, creating islands of sanity where people can think, and taking ideas into reality and commercialization," she said. Okolloh said the online world is helping to break down social barriers that have prevented some Africans from achieving success. "It frees people from waiting for someone to make things happen for them, which has been a big challenge for young people especially.  And, that's why they're gravitating to technology so much," she said. "It's the one space where you don't have to come from the right family, or the right tribe, or have the right connection to make it. And it's an area old people don't understand, so they can't dominate it." Okolloh admits that, as a woman, she also loves technology because it neutralizes gender stereotypes. "I'm not sure I'd be as successful as I am as a woman in a profession other than in technology. Because it tends to be a bit neutral. If you have the tools, if you can code, it's a lot more sort of merit, and recognizes talent." These innovators say that in as little as five years, a combination of fresh ideas and demographic imperatives will begin to revolutionize Africa. As several participants at the economic forum noted, half of the continent's population is under 30, and they are demanding change. Media files: reuters_ethiopia_world_economic_forum_480_10may2012.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) reuters_ethiopia_world_economic_forum_230_10may2012.jpg

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VOA News: Asia: ICRC Suspends Most Operations in Pakistan

VOA News: Asia Asia Voice of America

ICRC Suspends Most Operations in Pakistan May 10th 2012, 19:53 The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has stopped most of its relief operations in Pakistan following the brutal murder of one of its workers.  These types of killings are making it increasingly difficult for foreign aid groups to operate in the country. The decision by the International Committee of the Red Cross to suspend operations in three of Pakistan's four provinces is expected to affect thousands of people who depend on the aid. ICRC spokeswoman Anastasia Isyuk says the move is in response to the murder of 60-year-old Khalil Dale, who worked for the organization in Baluchistan province. "Due to this recent attack against the ICRC, we decided to completely reassess the balance between the humanitarian impact of our activities and the risks that our staff face," said Isyuk. Authorities recovered the mutilated body of the British aid worker on April 29, four months after suspected militants abducted him on his way home from work in the city of Quetta.  A note with the body said Dale died because the Red Cross failed to pay ransom for his return. The ICRC suspended its work in Baluchistan immediately after the discovery of Dale's body.  On Thursday, the organization extended the suspension to the northwestern city of Peshawar and Pakistan's most populous city, Karachi, and said it was unclear when work would resume. "In the last several years, the numbers of those who were either killed or kidnapped has increased," said Steve Claborne, who is with the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum, an umbrella organization that helps coordinate efforts among 48 aid agencies. "And just in this year, we've had kind of a rash of kidnappings across the country, which is a new phenomenon.  And it also is affecting national organizations, national non-profit humanitarian organizations, as well." According to PHF estimates, at least 18 aid workers have been murdered and more than 20 others abducted in Pakistan since 2009.  And Claborne says these are just the cases that make headlines.  He says abduction for ransom has become a big business in Pakistan. Claborne, who also is the country director for the non-profit group Mercy Corps, says suspending operations is the correct response after an organization is targeted.  But he recommends taking certain steps from the beginning to help limit the risk of any sort of attack. "If you have the time or ability to work with local leaders and local communities, to explain your program, to be transparent in what you do, to be completely above board in your transactions, then 99 percent of the time there will be humanitarian space," he said. Unfortunately, Claborne says the writ of the government is severely limited in many of the areas aid groups operate, making it very difficult to have those conversations.  And with no arrests in any of the recent abduction cases, he says much more work remains to be done. Media files: ap_pak_body_480_29apr12.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) ap_pak_body_230_29apr12.jpg

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VOA News: Africa: PM: DR Congo Can Cut Poverty in Half by Exploiting Agriculture

VOA News: Africa Africa Voice of America

PM: DR Congo Can Cut Poverty in Half by Exploiting Agriculture May 10th 2012, 19:10 The new prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo says the country could halve its poverty rate in the next five years by exploiting its vast agricultural potential.  Prime Minister Matata Ponyo Mapon made the claim in a speech to the parliament this week outlining his government's agenda. But, there are few details yet as to how the DRC is going to meet this target. In his first speech to the Democratic Republic of Congo's new parliament, Prime Minister Ponyo said that if the agricultural sector could increase its growth rate to six percent, then the rate of absolute poverty in the country could be cut by 50 percent by 2017. Huge agricultural potential Ponyo suggests there is great potential to double agricultural growth, from three percent to six percent.  He says the country is only farming seven million hectares of the 75 million hectares of arable land. The new government has just been sworn into office and has not yet drawn up a budget, so there were no details in the prime minister's speech Monday on how much funding will be allocated to agriculture. Funding will have to be sharply increased, says Roger Kizungu, who works at the Congo's National Institute for Agricultural Research. Kizungu says that the first condition for achieving six percent growth in agriculture is for the government to commit 10 percent of its budget to rural development. He says the Congo has already made that commitment, but in fact it is spending far less than that and less than two percent on agriculture. Rural development includes spending on rural roads. The poor state of the road network is one of the biggest obstacles facing Congo's farmers. Government vs. donors Kizungu says the second condition for achieving six percent growth in agriculture is for donors to let the government shoulder its responsibilities.  He says everyone agrees aid is needed, but that donors should not take over the state's role, because the government would then wait for the donors to do everything. He says donors have pledged that, if the government commits 10 percent of its budget to rural development, they would commit funds in the same proportion. An opposition member of parliament, Martin Fayulu, questions whether agriculture really ranks high on the government's list of spending priorities. "The Ministry of Agriculture is ranked number 20 [in spending].  You see the place they have ranked agriculture.  There is no consistency.  This country was number one for palm oil in 1960s, and today Malaysia is exporting $20 billion every year in palm oil from the seeds they took from this country.  What's the proposal for palm oil for this country?  Nothing." Competing needs A member of parliament with the ruling alliance, Patrick Muyaya, says that that this government is making a priority of improving services for the Congolese people, but there are many competing needs. "You know we have a lot of challenges in our country, but the first is to give solutions for health problems, school problems, water and power.  That's the needs our people have," he said. In his speech, Prime Minister Ponyo told parliament that he would be watching closely the performance of all sectors, including the national electricity company.  As he said this, there was a power cut - one of several during his speech. Media files: afp_DRC_minister_Ponyo_10may12_eng_480.jpg (image/jpeg, 0.1 MB) afp_DRC_minister_Ponyo_10may12_eng_2301.jpg

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