WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER

CONTENTS

1. EDITOR'S COMMENTS
2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
3. REFUGEES
4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
5. DEVELOPMENT
6. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
7. GRANTS
8. NEWS AROUND LIBERIA
9. ABOUT US
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1. EDITOR'S COMMENTS
http://www.kabissa.org

In our last edition, we featured C.R. Dettling response to Dr. Patrick L.N.
Seyon's piece on the just ended American Elections. This week we are featuring a
story on Foreign Affairs --by Thomas Friedman, that appeared in the New York Times.
It makes for good reading, his views on globalization in the African context. This
was send to us by Perla Coll from the International Center in Washington, DC.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/24/opinion/24FRIE.html?
ex=989128176&ei=1&en=9d0909446f
0daa5d

ACCRA, Ghana — I thought about going to the Quebec Summit of the
Americas, but I lost my gas mask so I decided to go to Africa
instead. It's interesting listening to Africans talk about
globalization. While the protesters in Quebec were busy denouncing
globalization in the name of Africans and the world's poor,
Africans themselves will tell you that their problem with
globalization is not that they are getting too much of it, but too
little. (source:NYTimes)

2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY

Parliament prepares exit of Guinea-Bissau government
http://www.afrol.com/ms_index.htm

afrol News - The Parliament of Guinea-Bissau is set for an extraordinary session on
30 April to vote on a motion of censure to the government of independent Prime
Minister Faustino Imbali. His recently appointed government does not enjoy a
parliamentary majority basis.

Trend of women bleaching their skin growing
http://www.afrol.com

afrol News- For years, cosmetic products supposed to bleach the dark skin of African
women have found an ever-growing market on the African continent. In some
countries, like Mali and much of Central Africa, these dangerous products are
reaching a popularity out of dimension.

UN Official Fears Prospect of Increased Fighting
http://www.allafrica.com

A UN official Wednesday expressed concern about "what appears to be prospects of
increased fighting in Liberia." "I would hope this is short-lived and that if
there are any differences, the parties can deal with them in a more adult way by
talking and not fighting," said Carolyn McAskie, the UN deputy emergency relief co-
ordinator for humanitarian affairs. McAskie told a news conference at the end of a
three-day mission.

UN report names culprits in central Africa's dirty war and claims there is
no shortage of companies in developed nations willing to turn a blind eye.
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/apr2001/2001L-04-18-10.html (source:Sophie Hooper)

3. REFUGEES

Thousands Arrive in Daru From Guinea And Liberia
http://www.allafrica.com
About 12,500 people have arrived on foot since February in Daru, eastern Sierra
Leonea, after fleeing Guinea and Liberia, UNHCR reported on Tuesday. Most of them
came from Liberia, especially the Vahun area in the northwest. They said they left
Vahun because of the presence of Liberian troops and Revolutionary United Front
(RUF) elements along the border.

4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT

Tuberculosis follows footsteps of AIDS in Africa
http://www.afrol.com/ms_index.htm
afrol News - The number of cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Africa, already in the
millions, will double over the next decade as HIV continues to spread across the
continent,the United Nations warned today, calling for a concurrent effort to fight
both infectious diseases.

African Aids Summit Opens in Abuja
http://www.allafrica.com/stories/200104260112.html

The African Summit on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases
opened in Abuja Thursday with several African Heads of State, UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan and former US President Bill Clinton attending.
As organisers awaited the arrival of more leaders, those at the opening session
included host President Olusegun Obasanjo, Togolose President and OAU Chairman
Gnassingbe Eyadema, Malian President and ECOWAS Chairman Oumar Alpha Konare and
Arap Moi of Kenya.

ICRC Contributes to fight Against Meningitis
http://www.allafrica.com

A shortage of vaccines is hindering West Africa's efforts to stop an outbreak of
meningitis that has killed more than 3,000 people, the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Wednesday.

Benin Gets First Public Sector Drug Plant
http://www.allafrica.com
Benin's first plant for the manufacture of pharmaceutical products in the public
sector is to be inaugurated 15 May, an official source said (source:PANA)

HIV CAUSING TUBERCULOSIS CASES TO DOUBLE IN AFRICA
http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2001/en/pr2001-21.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today warned that Tuberculosis (TB) cases in Africa will likely
double over the next decade as a consequence of the increased spread of HIV and the
under-funding of strategies effective in curing TB.

5. DEVELOPMENT

How NGOs can kill development
http://www.africaonline.com/site/articles/1.10.1329.jsp
There is no doubt that much good has been done through NGOs often in situations of
extreme need. But NGOs have increasingly come under fire, and some people maintain
that with the best intentions they at times do more harm than good. What are the
problems?

New Jubilee + web site - the successor to Jubilee 2000 - with news,
analysis and debate about international debt and finance.
http://www.jubileeplus.org (source:Sophie Hooper)

OAU Special Session on HIV/AIDS Provides Golden Opportunity
http://www.undp.org/dpa/pressrelease/index.html

UNDP Africa Bureau Director to encourage intensified action against epidemic
Speaking at a special session on HIV/AIDS called by
the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Abuja, Nigeria on 26 April, Abdoulie
Janneh, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will push for stepped up action
against HIV/AIDS by African leaders and the international community.

6. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY

NATALI PRIZE --WEST AFRICAN JOURNALISTS
http://www.ifj.org

The Natali Prize for West African Journalism - Applications Sought from West
African Print Journalists. Celebrating Journalism in the Struggle for Fair and Just
Development The Natali Prize was established by the countries of the European Union
in honour of the late Lorenzo Natali, vice president of the European Commission
with special responsibilities for development issues. The Prize is awarded
to print journalists who have demonstrated a striking insight and particular
dedication to the reporting of human rights issues within the context of the
development process.
Democracy and Human Rights go hand in hand but sometimes they are brushed
aside in the drive for economic development. Development can only succeed
if freedom and individual rights are promoted and defended. But is the
message getting through? Journalists in West Africa have an opportunity to play a
key role in the global debate through the Natali Prize for West African Journalism,
a competition organised by the countries of the European Union, to encourage
reporting which recognize the value of human rights and democracy in the
fight for fair and just social and economic development.
For a copy of the application form and rules for the Natali Prize for West
African Journalism (available in English and French) contact; Email : [email protected]
Application deadline: 1 June 2001

Ghana: Government indicates it will change libel laws
http://www.africaonline.com/site/sn/
The new government of President John Kufuor is giving indications that it will scrap
those aspects of the Penal Code that criminalise freedom of expression.

7. GRANTS

Are you seeking grants for your organizations? The below listed foundations if
contacted could probably give you a grant.
http://www.kabissa.org/lij

The UNDP Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has a small grants programme that could
be helpful. http://www.undp.org/sgp/ The Regional Bureau for Africa Website
http://www.pub.intnet.mu/un

World Learning, 1015-15th Street, NW Suite 750, Washington, DC. 20005-2605 e-mail:
[email protected]

World Council of Credit Unions, 805-15th Street, NW Suite 300, Washington,DC. 20005-
2207, e-mail: [email protected]

Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 710, Arlington,
Va. 22209, E-mail: [email protected]

Visions in Action, 2710 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC. 20009-2154 e-mail: visions@
igc.org

8. News Around Liberia.
http://www.kabissa.org/lij

The late Youth and Sports Minister Francios Massaquoi, who was killed by
dissendents as the government alleged will be buried today friday, 27 April, 2001.
According to government reports, the war that is ragging in northern Liberia, Lofa
County it is very fierce and is taking a toll on the citizens in that part of the
country. There has been an out cry from Liberians that these looters disguise as
liberators should stop their carnage.
Meanwhile, a press release from Ministry of Information, states that any report
about the war should be cleared with the Ministry before publishing, to avoid
misinformation.
The price of gasoline went up LD$5.00, yesterday. Bringing the price of gasoline at
the pump to LD$145.00/gallon. The exchange rate to the US dollar is LD$47.00

9. ABOUT US
http://www.kabissa.org/lij

This is the WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER, published and distributed free of charge by
the Liberia Institute of Journalism, in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. This
project is funded by a grant from the International Center--731-8th Street, SE,
Washington, DC. 20003.
Articles, informations and news are welcome for publication. Send them to the editor
Vinnie Hodges at [email protected].
The Liberia Institute of Journalism(LIJ), a non-profit institute establish to train
journalists. On Friday, April 20, 2001, ended a five-day workshop on "how to write
and report the news on human rights and political reporting". On Tuesday, 17 April
2001 launched "The Journalists " a weekly newspaper. If you are interested in a
complimentary copy e-mail the editor at [email protected].
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Website: http://www.kabissa.org/lij