It’s come to my attention that we will need to reschedule our end of programme mentors meeting as Wednesday the 31st is a holiday. It will therefore now be held on Thursday the 1st of September. The time and will remain the same (3pm at Databank).
Hope you can all make it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We've been reading...
13 year old makes solar power breakthrough
Inhabitat -- While most 13-year-olds spend their free time playing video games or cruising Facebook, one 7th grader was trekking through the woods uncovering a mystery of science. After studying how trees branch in a very specific way, Aidan Dwyer created a solar cell tree that produces 20-50% more power than a uniform array of photovoltaic panels. His impressive results show that using a specific formula for distributing solar cells can drastically improve energy generation. The study earned Aidan a provisional U.S patent - it's a rare find in the field of technology and a fantastic example of how biomimicry can drastically improve design...
Students volunteer to improve primary education in Ghana
Ashesi -- The African Renaissance Movement, an Ashesi student organization, has organized a program to improve the academic performance of students at two public primary schools in Labone, near the Ashesi campus. Groups of Ashesi students volunteer to help in school courses on a weekly basis, participating in one of three program areas: ICT education, personal financial management or academic mentorship. The information communication technology (ICT) program provides interested pupils between class six and Junior High School basic computer programming lessons. Pupils learn to use computers, become familiar with standard productivity software and even gain some basic programming skills...
Ban Ki-moon calls for UN, EU, and AU to Plan for Post-Qaddafi Libya
Bloomberg -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will convene an “urgent” meeting on Libya’s future with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union and a coalition of Islamic nations. “This is a hopeful moment,” Ban said today of the takeover of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, by the anti-government forces. “It is testimony to the courage and determination of the Libyan people to seek a free and democratic future.” Ban, speaking to reporters in New York, said that the meeting likely would be held Aug. 25 or 26 and that he is also calling for a meeting of the Security Council to give the UN a mandate to assist Libya’s transition to a new government...
Inhabitat -- While most 13-year-olds spend their free time playing video games or cruising Facebook, one 7th grader was trekking through the woods uncovering a mystery of science. After studying how trees branch in a very specific way, Aidan Dwyer created a solar cell tree that produces 20-50% more power than a uniform array of photovoltaic panels. His impressive results show that using a specific formula for distributing solar cells can drastically improve energy generation. The study earned Aidan a provisional U.S patent - it's a rare find in the field of technology and a fantastic example of how biomimicry can drastically improve design...
Students volunteer to improve primary education in Ghana
Ashesi -- The African Renaissance Movement, an Ashesi student organization, has organized a program to improve the academic performance of students at two public primary schools in Labone, near the Ashesi campus. Groups of Ashesi students volunteer to help in school courses on a weekly basis, participating in one of three program areas: ICT education, personal financial management or academic mentorship. The information communication technology (ICT) program provides interested pupils between class six and Junior High School basic computer programming lessons. Pupils learn to use computers, become familiar with standard productivity software and even gain some basic programming skills...
Ban Ki-moon calls for UN, EU, and AU to Plan for Post-Qaddafi Libya
Bloomberg -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will convene an “urgent” meeting on Libya’s future with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union and a coalition of Islamic nations. “This is a hopeful moment,” Ban said today of the takeover of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, by the anti-government forces. “It is testimony to the courage and determination of the Libyan people to seek a free and democratic future.” Ban, speaking to reporters in New York, said that the meeting likely would be held Aug. 25 or 26 and that he is also calling for a meeting of the Security Council to give the UN a mandate to assist Libya’s transition to a new government...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
End of programme mentor's meeting
All too soon, the 2010/2011 Young Leaders Mentorship Programme is drawing to a close. It's been a good year. We learnt a lot from our mentors last year and were glad for their input in shaping the programme over the past year.
That said, I'd like to announce that we'll be having an end of programme meeting for mentors. We'd like you to share your experiences with us - the good and the bad - and let us know what you think we can do to change the Programme in order to make it even better for the next set of mentors.
The meeting will take place exactly two weeks from now, on Wednesday the 31st of August. It'll be held at Databank at 3pm and shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. So come along, we'd love to hear from you!
Also in the news, our YLMP Awards Day has been scheduled for the 23rd of September. Again it will be held at Databank but will start at 2.40pm. It's a time for us to say thank you for all your hard work. We'll be giving out certificates to all who took part and prizes to our best mentors and winners of the Mentees' Choice Awards. Mark it in your diary!
That said, I'd like to announce that we'll be having an end of programme meeting for mentors. We'd like you to share your experiences with us - the good and the bad - and let us know what you think we can do to change the Programme in order to make it even better for the next set of mentors.
The meeting will take place exactly two weeks from now, on Wednesday the 31st of August. It'll be held at Databank at 3pm and shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. So come along, we'd love to hear from you!
Also in the news, our YLMP Awards Day has been scheduled for the 23rd of September. Again it will be held at Databank but will start at 2.40pm. It's a time for us to say thank you for all your hard work. We'll be giving out certificates to all who took part and prizes to our best mentors and winners of the Mentees' Choice Awards. Mark it in your diary!
Monday, August 15, 2011
An African Example of What it takes to be a Good Leader.
This is an interesting post by Omobola Borisade of African Leadership Review. Omobola is a Public Administrator & Consultant from Ibadan, Nigeria.
Since the 1960s, when most African countries attained independence, the story has always been the same. A lying, crafty politician first appearing as a nationalist, then push through some populist programmes and then unveil what he really is – a real buffoon masquerading as a reformer, an intellectual terrorist in the mould of a Messiah. All but few African political leaders had turned out to be political misfits whose preoccupation is primitive accumulation. Most had bled their countries to almost breaking points. Africa is one continent where some of the leaders are richer than the countries they govern. It is a continent of sit-tight rulers. Muammar Ghadaffi has been in power for 42 years, Cote d'voir's Felix Houphouet – Boigny and Togo's Gnassingbe Eyaedema ruled for over three decades each. Here rulers generally refuse to leave when they no longer make sense. They constitute unnecessary burden to their states, yet they hold on to power. But in this general gloomy sea of despair was one leader who chose to be different. That leader was Joaquim Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique, November 4, 1986 to February 2, 2005. An articulate and brilliant leader piloted Mozambique through the transition from a communist to a capitalist ideology, won his country's first and second multiparty elections and made history by deciding not to run for his final term in office. “Let another leader continue from here, I have had enough.”
Since the 1960s, when most African countries attained independence, the story has always been the same. A lying, crafty politician first appearing as a nationalist, then push through some populist programmes and then unveil what he really is – a real buffoon masquerading as a reformer, an intellectual terrorist in the mould of a Messiah. All but few African political leaders had turned out to be political misfits whose preoccupation is primitive accumulation. Most had bled their countries to almost breaking points. Africa is one continent where some of the leaders are richer than the countries they govern. It is a continent of sit-tight rulers. Muammar Ghadaffi has been in power for 42 years, Cote d'voir's Felix Houphouet – Boigny and Togo's Gnassingbe Eyaedema ruled for over three decades each. Here rulers generally refuse to leave when they no longer make sense. They constitute unnecessary burden to their states, yet they hold on to power. But in this general gloomy sea of despair was one leader who chose to be different. That leader was Joaquim Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique, November 4, 1986 to February 2, 2005. An articulate and brilliant leader piloted Mozambique through the transition from a communist to a capitalist ideology, won his country's first and second multiparty elections and made history by deciding not to run for his final term in office. “Let another leader continue from here, I have had enough.”
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
African Servant Leadership awarded to Vice President.
Ghana News Agency reports:
The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership in Accra on Tuesday 9th August, 2011 conferred on Vice President John Dramani Mahama "The African Servant Leadership" award for his social and political contribution to governance in Ghana.
The award formed part of the School's honorary programme conferred on people for their contribution to nation-building.
Rev. Gideon Titi-Ofei, Governor General of the School, led a delegation from the School to present the award to the Vice President at the Castle, Osu.
He said the Vice President Mahama showed social and political leadership when he worked with Plan Ghana, an International Non-Governmental organization, Japan International Cooperation Agency and as a Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi from 1996 to 2008. Rev. Titi-Ofei described Vice President Mahama as a beacon of hope and unity for the African continent" and appealed to other Africans entrusted with leadership positions to exhibit high levels of discretion and performance to enhance democracy.
The Vice President received the “African Servant Leadership” award because of his exemplary leadership role he displayed, dating back from his days as a social worker, a Member of Parliament and today, the second gentleman of the land.
He pledged the School's desire to team up with African leaders to promote quality leadership and responsibility in the coming years. Vice President Mahama dedicated the award to President John Evans Mills, the people of Ghana and God for reposing confidence in him to serve the country and Africa in general.
He said the award was a challenge for him to work harder to achieve other goals that would subsequently benefit the entire country. "I am grateful for this award which I deem as an honour and will therefore work harder to achieve others that will be beneficial to the entire nation."
The School last month awarded institutions and individuals in the areas of Social Service, Entrepreneurial Development, Civil Society leadership, Medical Leadership, Security leadership, Women Empowerment and political leadership.
The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership in Accra on Tuesday 9th August, 2011 conferred on Vice President John Dramani Mahama "The African Servant Leadership" award for his social and political contribution to governance in Ghana.
The award formed part of the School's honorary programme conferred on people for their contribution to nation-building.
Rev. Gideon Titi-Ofei, Governor General of the School, led a delegation from the School to present the award to the Vice President at the Castle, Osu.
He said the Vice President Mahama showed social and political leadership when he worked with Plan Ghana, an International Non-Governmental organization, Japan International Cooperation Agency and as a Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi from 1996 to 2008. Rev. Titi-Ofei described Vice President Mahama as a beacon of hope and unity for the African continent" and appealed to other Africans entrusted with leadership positions to exhibit high levels of discretion and performance to enhance democracy.
The Vice President received the “African Servant Leadership” award because of his exemplary leadership role he displayed, dating back from his days as a social worker, a Member of Parliament and today, the second gentleman of the land.
He pledged the School's desire to team up with African leaders to promote quality leadership and responsibility in the coming years. Vice President Mahama dedicated the award to President John Evans Mills, the people of Ghana and God for reposing confidence in him to serve the country and Africa in general.
He said the award was a challenge for him to work harder to achieve other goals that would subsequently benefit the entire country. "I am grateful for this award which I deem as an honour and will therefore work harder to achieve others that will be beneficial to the entire nation."
The School last month awarded institutions and individuals in the areas of Social Service, Entrepreneurial Development, Civil Society leadership, Medical Leadership, Security leadership, Women Empowerment and political leadership.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Famine in Somalia: The untold story
An interesting article written by Ransa Warah on Pambazuka News. The article continues after the jump -- it's well worth the read.
I knew the real story about the famine in northern Kenya and Somalia would probably never be told when I watched a young foreign aid worker 'reporting' the famine for CNN in Dadaab camp.
The young white woman, clearly coached to use the opportunity of her CNN appearance to publicise her organisation, wore a T-shirt that had the word OXFAM emblazoned on it.
The look of self-righteous, politically-correct compassion was evident on her face as she talked of starving children and emaciated mothers walking for miles in search of food.
Predictably, CNN viewers saw images of skeletal children and exhausted women with shrivelled breasts, images that have launched a multi-million dollar fund-raising campaign by the UN and donor agencies.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has asked donors to raise $1.6 billion to assist Somalia alone.
Meanwhile, dozens of humanitarian agencies are clamouring to make an appearance in Dadaab in order to raise funds for their own organisations. Dutch journalist Linda Polman calls it “The Crisis Caravan”.
In her book by the same name, Polman says that an entire industry has grown around humanitarian aid, “with cavalcades of organisations following the flow of money and competing with each other in one humanitarian territory after another for the biggest achievable share of billions.”
According to Polman, disasters like the one in Somalia attract an average 1,000 national and international aid organisations. This doesn’t include “briefcase” charities that collect funds through churches, clubs and bake-sales.
Much of the money raised goes to administrative and logistical costs of aid agencies, including the salaries of bright-eyed aid workers, such as the one described above, who drive big cars and live in nice houses, but tell people back home they live in hardship areas where they help starving Africans.
Are people starving? Yes. Should they be helped? Of course. But how much of the food that is supposed to be distributed will most likely be stolen by militia or find its way to shops where it will be sold?
Also obscured in the media hype is the real cause of famine in places such as Somalia. In a recent article, Michel Chossudovsky, professor of Economics at the University of Ottawa and founder of the Centre for Research on Globalisation, argues that in the 1980s, agriculture in Somalia was severely affected by economic reforms imposed by the IMF and the World Bank. Somalia remained self-sufficient in food until the late 1970s despite recurrent droughts, he writes.
In the absence of a well-functioning central government, Somalia is in effect being ‘managed and controlled by aid agencies’, writes Rasna Warah. But it’s a story that is unlikely to be told by either the global news networks or the ‘aid workers whose livelihoods depend on donor money that will soon flow into Somalia via Kenya.’
I knew the real story about the famine in northern Kenya and Somalia would probably never be told when I watched a young foreign aid worker 'reporting' the famine for CNN in Dadaab camp.
The young white woman, clearly coached to use the opportunity of her CNN appearance to publicise her organisation, wore a T-shirt that had the word OXFAM emblazoned on it.
The look of self-righteous, politically-correct compassion was evident on her face as she talked of starving children and emaciated mothers walking for miles in search of food.
Predictably, CNN viewers saw images of skeletal children and exhausted women with shrivelled breasts, images that have launched a multi-million dollar fund-raising campaign by the UN and donor agencies.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has asked donors to raise $1.6 billion to assist Somalia alone.
Meanwhile, dozens of humanitarian agencies are clamouring to make an appearance in Dadaab in order to raise funds for their own organisations. Dutch journalist Linda Polman calls it “The Crisis Caravan”.
In her book by the same name, Polman says that an entire industry has grown around humanitarian aid, “with cavalcades of organisations following the flow of money and competing with each other in one humanitarian territory after another for the biggest achievable share of billions.”
According to Polman, disasters like the one in Somalia attract an average 1,000 national and international aid organisations. This doesn’t include “briefcase” charities that collect funds through churches, clubs and bake-sales.
Much of the money raised goes to administrative and logistical costs of aid agencies, including the salaries of bright-eyed aid workers, such as the one described above, who drive big cars and live in nice houses, but tell people back home they live in hardship areas where they help starving Africans.
Are people starving? Yes. Should they be helped? Of course. But how much of the food that is supposed to be distributed will most likely be stolen by militia or find its way to shops where it will be sold?
Also obscured in the media hype is the real cause of famine in places such as Somalia. In a recent article, Michel Chossudovsky, professor of Economics at the University of Ottawa and founder of the Centre for Research on Globalisation, argues that in the 1980s, agriculture in Somalia was severely affected by economic reforms imposed by the IMF and the World Bank. Somalia remained self-sufficient in food until the late 1970s despite recurrent droughts, he writes.
Quote for the day
Leadership is not magnetic personality, that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not "making friends and influencing people", that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.
- Peter F. Drucker
- Peter F. Drucker
CSR and its benefits to businesses
James Liddel of CIPE reports (originally posted as 'When doing good is good for business'):
When most people hear the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), they usually picture cheesy, Orwellian subway ads by oil companies or glossy brochures with pictures of African children and their new soccer balls. Corporate volunteerism is a recent trend that belies the image those ads present.
The perception that CSR is only for public relations has grown in part by the notion that social responsibility will always be a superficial, secondary concern so long as a firm’s bottom line trumps concerns of community engagement. In the last decade, as CSR has matured from strict philanthropy to more integrated and thoughtful approaches, companies’ concern for the social and physical environment in which they operate is no longer detached from profit margins.
Enter international corporate volunteerism, showcased last week at CDC Development Solutions’ International Corporate Volunteerism Workshop. There are many different models for corporations to follow, but most involve groups of 6-10 employees traveling together to a developing country to tackle a specific problem or project (infrastructure, IT, supply-chain, management, etc.) for a local nonprofit, business or association.
In these cases, employee skill-development is one of the central takeaways as crops of engineers or marketers who’ve likely never met but work on similar issues for the same company, come together as part of one team focused on the same goal. Multinationals with subsidiaries all over the world also benefit from knowledge exchange through corporate volunteering—not only from North to South but from South to South—as volunteer group members from local offices contribute to projects in their own countries.
When most people hear the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), they usually picture cheesy, Orwellian subway ads by oil companies or glossy brochures with pictures of African children and their new soccer balls. Corporate volunteerism is a recent trend that belies the image those ads present.
The perception that CSR is only for public relations has grown in part by the notion that social responsibility will always be a superficial, secondary concern so long as a firm’s bottom line trumps concerns of community engagement. In the last decade, as CSR has matured from strict philanthropy to more integrated and thoughtful approaches, companies’ concern for the social and physical environment in which they operate is no longer detached from profit margins.
Enter international corporate volunteerism, showcased last week at CDC Development Solutions’ International Corporate Volunteerism Workshop. There are many different models for corporations to follow, but most involve groups of 6-10 employees traveling together to a developing country to tackle a specific problem or project (infrastructure, IT, supply-chain, management, etc.) for a local nonprofit, business or association.
In these cases, employee skill-development is one of the central takeaways as crops of engineers or marketers who’ve likely never met but work on similar issues for the same company, come together as part of one team focused on the same goal. Multinationals with subsidiaries all over the world also benefit from knowledge exchange through corporate volunteering—not only from North to South but from South to South—as volunteer group members from local offices contribute to projects in their own countries.
Friday, August 5, 2011
YLMP Online
Over the past few weeks, we've been trying to think of ways to make the YLMP more interactive with our mentees, mentors and people who'd just like to stay updated with what's going on. With this in mind, I'd like to draw your attention to the places online you can get updates on the YLMP.
First of all of course is this blog. We post a few times a week not only about what our mentors and mentees are getting up to but also about various development issues and articles on leadership and mentorship.
You can subscribe to our blog posts via our RSS feed or choose to receive them direct to your inbox (see the subscribe via email widget on the right hand side -->).
Our Facebook page is packed full of little updates and has now become the place where you'll be able to find pictures of our events and activities. We used to post them right here on the blog but Facebook allows them to be accessed and viewed much more easily.
Finally we have a Twitter page. As with most Twitter pages, ours will give regular short pieces of information often linking you to a longer post either here or on our Facebook page.
We'll have a YouTube page up and running in the near future which will direct you to great videos on the web. We hope you utilise at least one or two of these mediums and we hope you find them useful!
First of all of course is this blog. We post a few times a week not only about what our mentors and mentees are getting up to but also about various development issues and articles on leadership and mentorship.
You can subscribe to our blog posts via our RSS feed or choose to receive them direct to your inbox (see the subscribe via email widget on the right hand side -->).
Our Facebook page is packed full of little updates and has now become the place where you'll be able to find pictures of our events and activities. We used to post them right here on the blog but Facebook allows them to be accessed and viewed much more easily.
Finally we have a Twitter page. As with most Twitter pages, ours will give regular short pieces of information often linking you to a longer post either here or on our Facebook page.
We'll have a YouTube page up and running in the near future which will direct you to great videos on the web. We hope you utilise at least one or two of these mediums and we hope you find them useful!
Ghana named 4th best investment destination in Africa
Ekow Quandzie of Ghana Business News reports:
International investors have chosen Ghana as the fourth best country in Africa for investment, according to the Africa Business Panel survey 2011.
The survey, released in late June 2011, was conducted by the Africa Business Panel that sampled 800 business professionals in all the 53 economies in Africa .
The Africa Business Panel is made up of persons who work in the private sector for companies registered in and operating out of Africa. They are the senior managers, entrepreneurs or professionals that form the backbone of the business community throughout Africa.
According to the survey, international investors believe that Ghana’s economic and political climate persist to be stable citing Accra, the capital town, an attractive commercial centre to conduct business from with West Africa.
The country’s oil discovery was also said be a factor to investment attraction.
Ghana came behind South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya from first to third respectively, the survey indicated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr George Aboagye confirms the country’s ranking.
International investors have chosen Ghana as the fourth best country in Africa for investment, according to the Africa Business Panel survey 2011.
The survey, released in late June 2011, was conducted by the Africa Business Panel that sampled 800 business professionals in all the 53 economies in Africa .
The Africa Business Panel is made up of persons who work in the private sector for companies registered in and operating out of Africa. They are the senior managers, entrepreneurs or professionals that form the backbone of the business community throughout Africa.
According to the survey, international investors believe that Ghana’s economic and political climate persist to be stable citing Accra, the capital town, an attractive commercial centre to conduct business from with West Africa.
The country’s oil discovery was also said be a factor to investment attraction.
Ghana came behind South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya from first to third respectively, the survey indicated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr George Aboagye confirms the country’s ranking.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
YLMP Newsletter: 2nd Issue
Yes it's that time again folks, the second issue of the YLMP issue is just about ready to go to the printers. Just like we did the last time around, I'd like to give you a sneak peak of the cover to whet your appetites and get you as excited as we are about it.
Click the image for a better view! This issue is much more mentee focused than our last one with mentees contributing more than 90% of the content. It's great to be able to give them a voice and a platform to express themselves creatively.
The Newsletter will be available at the YLMP Awards Day.
Click the image for a better view! This issue is much more mentee focused than our last one with mentees contributing more than 90% of the content. It's great to be able to give them a voice and a platform to express themselves creatively.
The Newsletter will be available at the YLMP Awards Day.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Mentorship
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| Image: robertsaric.com |
Mentoring is the process of giving advice to a person or challenging a person to do his/her best on both a personal and professional level. As a child, parents and other close family relations fill this role. In a typical African community, this role is played by almost all elderly people.
In mentoring, the mentor has to have a sense of selflessness knowing that the highest compliment that can ever be paid to you as a mentor will never occur in your presence. Mentoring is also not a club or a special group that is reserved for special people. Anyone at all can be a mentor and it is advisable for every individual to have a mentor; be a mentee and also be a mentor at one point in life.
A mentee is the protégé or the student of the mentor or the one being mentored. In the Greek mythodology, Telemachus would be seen as the perfect description of a mentee. A mentee should be humble and ever ready to learn new things.
Today, mentors provide expertise to less experienced individuals to help them advance in their careers, enhance their education and build their networks. In many different arenas, people have benefited from being part of a mentoring relationship or a mentoring programme. (eg. YLMP)
Finally, being able to rely on individuals who will share their experiences with you is invaluable for you to establish a great future.
We've been reading...
A Stock Exchange for Social Businesses and Ventures
Africa Good News -- Social investing, or socially responsible investing, means different things to different people and can be hard to define. Tamzin Ractliffe, the Chief Executive Officer for NeXii, describes it as, “strategies that aim to have a responsible mitigation impact on any negative consequences. It’s wanting to do no harm, making sure that you invest in a company that has good and responsible practices in regards to employees, the environment, and so on. In South Africa, social investing is essentially philanthropy.” According to Ractliffe, “impact investing is different from socially responsible investing in that is highly intentional in delivery of a social or environmental benefit.” Companies are set up to specifically address and find solutions to problems like poverty, climate change, and food security on a large scale...
Horn of Africa: What is Africa doing?
RNW -- After the UN raised the alarm bells on the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, it didn’t take long for aid organizations to rush to the affected regions. The press writes extensively about what these organizations do, but what is the role of Africa in this? Do neighbouring countries show solidarity? And what is the overarching role of the African Union in all this? AU: Limited resources. In a press release published two weeks ago, the African Union described being ‘deeply concerned by the drought situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa aid its humanitarian consequences’. The AU said it would review the situation and identify additional steps. Thus far, the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has been providing medical assistance to those affected in Mogadishu....
Africa Good News -- Social investing, or socially responsible investing, means different things to different people and can be hard to define. Tamzin Ractliffe, the Chief Executive Officer for NeXii, describes it as, “strategies that aim to have a responsible mitigation impact on any negative consequences. It’s wanting to do no harm, making sure that you invest in a company that has good and responsible practices in regards to employees, the environment, and so on. In South Africa, social investing is essentially philanthropy.” According to Ractliffe, “impact investing is different from socially responsible investing in that is highly intentional in delivery of a social or environmental benefit.” Companies are set up to specifically address and find solutions to problems like poverty, climate change, and food security on a large scale...
Horn of Africa: What is Africa doing?
RNW -- After the UN raised the alarm bells on the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, it didn’t take long for aid organizations to rush to the affected regions. The press writes extensively about what these organizations do, but what is the role of Africa in this? Do neighbouring countries show solidarity? And what is the overarching role of the African Union in all this? AU: Limited resources. In a press release published two weeks ago, the African Union described being ‘deeply concerned by the drought situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa aid its humanitarian consequences’. The AU said it would review the situation and identify additional steps. Thus far, the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has been providing medical assistance to those affected in Mogadishu....
Monday, August 1, 2011
Youth and employment in Africa
There are several reasons for this, including changes in societal goals and aspirations. Increased education is encouraged by changes in government policy, such as the introduction of such laudable programs as free, universal primary schooling, which results in an increase in secondary school enrolments. This in turn leads to a proliferation of universities. The aim is to accommodate as many qualified students as possible; but there is often inadequate planning for the future employment of graduates. In view of the modern market economy, there are many factors which contribute to unemployment and these include rapid changes in technology, recessions, inflation, disabilities, undulating business cycle, and several others.
The consequences of unemployment are not only felt by the individual but the community at large. Some of the consequences include suicide, homicide, alcoholism, child abuse, family breakdown, psychiatric hospitalization, migration, etc. The issue of unemployment is a big issue that every government today faces. In Ghana for instance, youth unemployment remains an important issue not only because of the need to empower the youth economically but also harnessing the human resource for national development. In recognition of the problem of youth unemployment, the Government of Ghana has introduced a number of measures to enhance employability of the youth.
Mandela International Day: the Spirit of Ubuntu
This is a post from the ONE Blog. I decided to post it due to the mention of Unbuntu, one of our core mentoring values. Enjoy!
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 18th “Nelson Mandela International Day”, a day of activism. In response to being bestowed this honour, Mandela said:
“We are humbled by the decision of the United Nations to recognize 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day. It is our wish that the day be used not to honour an individual, but rather to remember the millions who have contributed to the struggle for freedom throughout the world. The best way to commemorate these struggles is for people everywhere to work with and within communities to make this a better world.
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 18th “Nelson Mandela International Day”, a day of activism. In response to being bestowed this honour, Mandela said:
“We are humbled by the decision of the United Nations to recognize 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day. It is our wish that the day be used not to honour an individual, but rather to remember the millions who have contributed to the struggle for freedom throughout the world. The best way to commemorate these struggles is for people everywhere to work with and within communities to make this a better world.
Let us remember that freedom from poverty, hunger and disease, that access to quality education, are as much human rights challenges as political oppression. May Nelson Mandela International Day contribute to those challenges being met.” www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/mandela_letter_2010.shtml
We at ONE continue to be inspired by the vision of Mr. Mandela and as the world celebrates his 93rd birthday this week we are reminded to continue to extend ourselves in working towards his dream and vision for a better life for all. It begins with each one of us giving a little bit. While Mr Mandela devoted 67 years to social and political activism, he only asks for 67 minutes of our day to make a difference in someone else’s life, spreading ubuntu, selflessness and love. Ubuntu is an African philosophy centered on the oneness of humanity thus encouraging respect for diversity, promoting dignity, peace, good health and prosperity. It is therefore not limited to one day. Indeed, this year’s theme encourages us to, “Take Action, Inspire Change, Make Every Day a Mandela Day”.
Introducing our new intern!
It's my pleasure to introduce our new intern, Nicholas Osuteye. He's been a senior mentor since we started and is now completing a six week internship at Databank Foundation. Amongst other things, he's working with the Young Leaders Mentorship Programme and he'll be posting on the blog alongside me. His posts will be tagged with Nicholas at the end so you can always identify them.
Please join me in giving him a warm YLMP welcome!
Please join me in giving him a warm YLMP welcome!
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