WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER

International Center and Liberia Institute of
Journalism Reporting on Human Rights, Democracy & Development
Vol. 1 No. 13 March 16, 2001

CONTENTS

1. EDITOR’S COMMENTS--Ghana’s Ambassador Commends
Media
2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
3. REFUGEES
4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
5. DEVELOPMENT
6. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
7. GRANTS
8.WORLD BANK PROJECTS
9. NEWS AROUND LIBERIA
10. ANNOUNCEMENTS
11. ABOUT US
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NOTICE: WE have added a new section called “news
around Liberia”. The latest groundbreaking news, just
to keep you up dated about Liberia.

1. EDITOR’S COMMENTS--Ghana’s Ambassador Commends
Media
http://www.kabissa.org/lij

Thursday, March 8,--Arlington, Va.--Hon. Francis A.
Tsegah, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States
informed an audience at Freedom Forum, that Ghana’s
media played an important role during the country’s
general elections.
The elections which marked the first time a peaceful
transfer of power has taken place in Ghana, was hailed
around the world as remarkable and should be emulated
by other West African countries.
The third elections in the history of Ghana’s 44 years
of independence, came without bloodshed as compared to
transfer of power in other West African Countries.
Ambassador Tsegah, lashing out at the state-owned
media said, at first they ignored the opposition
candidates for too long. At the dying minute of the
campaign before giving space and air-time to the
emerging opposition presidential candidate, John
Kuffour.
Taking part in the round table discussion,--GHANA and
its MEDIA, was a senior correspondent at the Ghanaian
Chronicle, Mr. Alfred Ogbamey, who said, the elections
were determined by the media, “especially radio”. The
round table discussion was moderated by Ms. Joan
Mower, the International Director at Freedom Forum. In
making comparison to the US “pregnant chad election”,
in which the US Supreme Court Republican wing
certified GeorgeW. Bush, as the winner, Mr. Ogbamey
said, “Ghana went to the polls later than U. S. But
declared the winner before the US”. A comment which
draw a large applaud from the audience which number
about 75 plus.

2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

Liberia: IRIN focus on reactions to Security Council
Resolution
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf
The Liberian government has vowed to comply with
demands made by the UN Security Council in a
resolution imposing restrictions against it for
trading in illicit diamonds and weapons with RUF
rebels in Sierra Leone. (Source:IRIN)

Liberia announces diamond export ban ahead of UN
meeting on sanctions
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/

Liberia on Wednesday, March 7, banned the export of
the so-called “blood diamonds” for 120 days in a
last-ditch attempt to avoid further UN sanctions.

RUF calls for National government of unity
http://www.sierra-leone.org
The rebel Revolutionary United Front in Sierra Leone
is calling on President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to
immediately form a government of national unity or
resign and give way to a national transitional
government before elections can be held in six months
time.

Fighting Hunger Worldwide
http://www.care.org/info_center/world_reports/hunger/index.html
Far too many of the world’s people face an unnecessary
nightmare:Hunger. Many people don’t know where or when
they will enjoy the luxury of their next meal. In fact
about 24,000 people die each day as a consequence of
hunger and malnutrition.(source:Care)

A savings and loan project in Niger is empowering
women to realize their economic potential
http://www.care.org/info_center/field_notes/womenonthemove030701.html
The women’s pride is contagious. With a beaming face,
one says, “come see my goat.”

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination Reviews
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination this morning reviewed the situation of
racial discrimination and adherence to the
International Convention on the elimination of all
forms of racial Discrimination in Togo. The Committee
is expected to review without reports the situation in
Coted’Ivoire, Gambia, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

Drivers protest fuel price increase
http://www.allafrica.com/stories/200103140145.html

traffic was completely brought to a halt yesterday
morning at the west field junction when drivers and
apprentices numbering about 600 took to the streets,
protesting what they called the “unwarranted and
unjustifiable” increase in fuel prices by the
government effective last Monday.

Gun fire Rocks Freetown again
http://www.allafrica.com
A heavy sound of gun fire rocked the Sierra Leone
capital Freetown on Wednesday sending signals that the
West African Nation is reeling back to chaos.

3. REFUGEES

Renewed Fighting near Guinea’s “parrot’s beak” Region
http://www.sierra-leone.org
The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, says renewed
fighting near Guinea’s “parrot beak” region has set
back efforts to resume full-scale relief operations to
refugees. (Source:VOA)

Aid suspended in Southern Guinea after new attack
http://www.alertnet.org/160907
Aid agencies said on Saturday that operations in
southeast Guinea remained suspended after the latest
attack by rebels in the area and would not until
Monday at the earliest.

4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT

GLAXOSMITHKLINE AND WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SIGNED
AGREEMENT
http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2001/en/pr2001-10.html

GlaxoSmithKline and WHO announced that they have
signed an agreement for the development of a new
treatment for malaria called LAPDAP.

SENEGAL and other Nations lead in Global Campaign
against Epilepsy
http://www.who.int/inf/-pr-2001/en/pr2001-07.html

Leading a global Campaign against epilepsy, Senegal is
implementing projects to train doctors in diagnosing
epilepsy and providing treatment for the disease.

Recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease urgently
required International Action, says FAO

http://www.fao.org
“The rapid spread of a pandemic stain of
foot-and-mouth disease(FMD) clearly demonstrates the
ability of the FMD virus to infiltrate a wide
geographic area and cause epidemic in countries which
have been free for many years from the disease, FAO
said in a statement. Meanwhile, FAO has warned about
bushmeat crisis that is caused by excessive hunting of
wild animals for food.

5. DEVELOPMENT

World Bank, IMF leaders, return from listening tour to
continent
http://www.worldbank.org/developmentnews/stories/html/030901a.htm

Working together and with outside support, Africans
can and will address their own challenges--in their
own ways--for lasting results.

Sub-Saharan Africa economies grow
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/afr.nsf

Sub-Saharan economies are growing again after decades
of stagnation. But on average, growth continues to
fall short of what is needed for the absolute number
of poor to decline.

6. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY

Liberia: Journalists Under Threat Again
http://www.amnesty.org/liberia

Four independent journalists detained for writing
article critical of the government should be
immediately released. Amnesty International said. The
four have been detained since 21 February and were
onTuesday,13, 2001 denied bail by a Liberian criminal
court.

7. GRANTS

In searching of funds to keep your organization
running
The following foundations could be your answer to your
search for funds.
1. The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, 250 Park
Ave.,New York, New York 10177-0026
Webpage:
http://www.fdncenter.org/grantmaker/emclark
2. Corman Foundation, INC., 100 Brookwood Rd., P.
O. Drawer 10751, Atmore, Al 36504
E-Mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
3. Louise B. & Edgar M. Cullman Foundation, 641
Lexington Ave., 29th Fl., New York,
NY.10022-4599, Tel.(212)561-8703

4. William Dauch Foundation, 1570 Dutch Hollow Rd.,
Elida, OH 45807-1803, Tel.(419)339- 4441,
Contact: Thomas E. Brown, Pres.
5. Debley, Inc., P. O. Box 427, St. Marys City, MD.
20686, Tel. (202) 986-2419

8. WORLD BANK PIPELINE PROJECTS
http://www.worldbank.org

Did you know that the World Bank has two types of
financing of projects to eligible member countries?
Long-term investment (5-10 years) and short-term
adjustment (1-3 years) projects. Currently, the bank’s
lending portfolio consists of several thousand
projects, representing an annual disbursement of
approximately $25 billion.

9. NEWS AROUND LIBERIA

“Charles Taylor is a Regional Danger” says, legislator

http://www.allafrica.com

Testifying before a crowed Congressional hearing
Senator Russ Feingold(D-WI) placed the Liberian regime
of Charles Taylor at the heart of a “deeply disturbing
trend” emerging in West Africa, by which “violent
regimes hold entire civilian population hostage in
order to win concessions, and even the guise of
legitimacy, from the International Community”.

Gasoline Shortage Paralyses Monrovia
http://www.kabissa.org/lij

According to the Inquirer newspaper, gasoline crisis
has worsened over the past four days in Monrovia and
its surroundings, resulting into thousands of
residents trekking or paying double the transport
fares. The gas shortage has also increased the
suffering of the people as prices of other commodities
have increased sharply to the disadvantage of buyers.
The major streets in Monrovia is clear of traffic as
drivers abandon their vehicles. Meanwhile, the
authorities say as far they concern there is no
gasoline shortage, but yet it can’t be found at the
pumps. A check of five gasoline stations, by the WEST
AFRICA NEWSLETTER, using their dipsticks show that
there is no gasoline in their tanks.

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS

APPLY TO THE 2001 ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM ACADEMY
June 14-18, 2001 at American University in Washington,
DC
For more details visit website:
http://www.envirocitizen.org/news/eja

World Water Day on 22 March 2001 is a global advocacy
and awareness-raising activity. It is dedicated this
year to focus attention on water and health issues.
The prime objective is to impact opinion on how to
improve the current condition of water and health
around the world.
For more details visit
http:www.worldwaterday.org/events.html

11. ABOUT US

This is the WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER, a new source of
reporting on human rights, democracy and development
news and networking. Produced and distributed free of
charge by the International Center, 731-8th SE,
Washington, DC 20003 and Liberia Institute of
Journalism, Kashour Building, 2nd Floor, Corner of
Broad and Johnson Streets, P.O.Box 2314, Monrovia,
Liberia, West Africa, Telephone: 011-231-227-327
This project is funded by grant from the International
Center in Washington, DC, to Liberia Institute of
Journalism.
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