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Sierra Leone's Chief National Electoral Commissioner Dr. Christiana Thorpe
There is an old woman who lives somewhere in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital. She claims that she was a "very sound footballer." Her head is now adorned with sparkling gray hair. She has a great sense of humor. She reads the newspapers daily. She has a daughter whom journalists can't help but write about — often. Her daughter brings her the newspapers. Mother teases daughter every chance she gets. And that's very often, because every week Dr. Christiana Ayoka Mary Thorpe, head of the National Electoral Commission (N.E.C.), is mentioned in the Sierra Leoenean media.
"I see they went to town on you in the papers today," is just one of several ways Mrs. Effumi Thorpe, the 85-year old mother of Dr. Thorpe, greets her daughter upon her arrival home from her daily task of overseeing Sierra Leone's recently-past landmark elections. And for the woman who always has a disarming smile that could make a saint of Lucifer, the joke is often well taken.
A rather curious fact about Effumi is that she seems not the least bit ruffled about the enormous task her daughter has taking on. She posits that Christiana had been prepared for the job when she was only a little girl: "She has been taught to say the truth. Regardless of whoever is around, she will say the truth. The truth never fails, my dear. She has been taught to be honest and truthful." There is an old woman who lives somewhere in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital. She claims that she was a "very sound footballer." Her ... more -
Japan blamed for Africa fish fall
A coalition of conservation groups and a leading fisheries scientist have accused Japan of damaging the fisheries interests of poorer countries.
They say Japan promotes the argument that whales are responsible for declining fish stocks in order to boost support for whale hunting. They say this stops poor countries from focussing on real causes of decline.
A spokesman for Japan's whale research institution described the accusation as "absurd and irresponsible".
The groups involved presented their conclusions on the sidelines of the International Whaling Commission.
Daniel Pauly, director of the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre, said there was abundant evidence that whales are not behind the decline in fish stocks.
"Blaming whales is an issue that is not only false - whales are no more responsible than the Martians - but which prevents the very small resources of West African countries from being devoted to understanding the real reasons why their fisheries are declining," he said.
A coalition of conservation groups and a leading fisheries scientist have accused Japan of damaging the fisheries interests of poorer ... more -
AFRICA ON THE ROAD: VAGABONDING ACCROSS AFRICA
Fabio Miggiano, an Italian young Traveller and his "Africa on the road", an amazing trip accross all Africa, from Tanger to Cape Town; totally by public transport.
AFRICA ON THE ROAD IN PILLS:
30.000 KM on the road
166 days in Africa
17 Countries Crossed
1 Person (crazy one!)
Ps=do you think is enough!? ;)
For more info: http://www.africaontheroad.it
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Fabio Miggiano, un giovane viaggiatore italiano ci racconta il suo "Africa on the road", un viaggio d'altri tempi attraverso tutta l'Africa, dal Marocco al Sudafrica con l'ausilio dei mezzi pubblici.
AFRICA ON THE ROAD IN PILLOLE:
30.000 Km percorsi
166 giorni in terra d'Africa
17 Paesi Attraversati
1 sola persona (matta!) ;)
Ps=pensi sia abbastanza!? ;)
Per maggiori info: http://www.africaontheroad.it Fabio Miggiano, an Italian young Traveller and his "Africa on the road", an amazing trip accross all Africa, from Tanger to Cape Town;... more -
Breast Ironing
The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.
In Cameroon where the practice is most widespread, 50% of adolescent girls in cities and a quarter of all girls nationwide have their breasts 'ironed,' often by their mothers.
The 'ritual' is performed by massaging the girls' chests with heated objects like stones, in order to reverse their pubescent development. The mums say it's driven by fear of unwanted male attention, rape and pre-marital pregnancies.
According to UNFPA, breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as abscesses, infections, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Nevertheless breast ironing is widespread and interestingly, the high prevalence in cities attributed to the effects of urbanization.
In Cameroon, the Network of Aunties Association, RENATA, made up of members who have undergone the practice, is trying to stop breast ironing by drawing public attention to its dangers in radio and television spots and by disseminating leaflets. The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.... more -
Europe's Appetite for Seafood Propels Illegal Trade
Europe has become the world's largest market for fish as its own native fish stocks have shrunk, and the imbalance has led to a thriving illegal trade. Europe has become the world's largest market for fish as its own native fish stocks have shrunk, and the imbalance has led to a thrivi... more
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10 MONTHS DEEP- Half way
My buddy and his lady are living the dream that so many of us confined citizens have, but are too restrained to ignite. At best, we can only bare witness on line and get inspired by our loved ones who have taken the plunge and are traveling this lone planet known as Earth. Catch up with Ryno & Devin (the Global domination ninja taskforce unit) as they continue their vast travels and blogging on some amazing West Africa adventures. God's speed my Brother, God's speed. My buddy and his lady are living the dream that so many of us confined citizens have, but are too restrained to ignite. At best, we ca... more
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Rebels in the Pipeline
Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She investigates what's behind the growing number of kidnappings and attacks in Africa's largest oil producer and the US's fifth largest energy supplier. Current's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She investigat... more
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Dance with Death
Lonely Planet filmmaker Tony Jackson takes us to his "Top Three Places to Dance with Death."
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Female Genital Cutting
Mariana van Zeller takes a look at the tradition of female circumcision in Africa. She travels to rural villages in Sierra Leone with an activist who faces a tough battle to put an end to the practice. Mariana van Zeller takes a look at the tradition of female circumcision in Africa. She travels to rural villages in Sierra Leone with ... more
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War Wounds
Five years after the end of the civil war, Mariana van Zeller travels to Sierra Leone to see how the nation is recovering. She finds that for the most vulnerable victims of the conflict the amputees and war-wounded there are still many challenges. Five years after the end of the civil war, Mariana van Zeller travels to Sierra Leone to see how the nation is recovering. She finds ... more
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Baptism by Razor
A West African infant has a close shave with tradition at her Muslim baptism.
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West Africa
