Vol 4 (AAC) No 9 | GHANACHINA Squatters, pipes and rails 13th July 2011 After only two years in office, the National Democratic Congress government has increased Ghana’s total debt from US$8.1 billion at the end of 2008 to $13.4 bn. in...
Vol 4 (AAC) No 9 | SIERRA LEONECHINA Not so fast, Frank 13th July 2011 Businessman Vasile Frank Timis, the Chairman of African Minerals Limited (AML), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese partners to develop a project that has already...
Vol 52 No 14 | NIGERIA The usual suspects 8th July 2011 Jonathan’s new cabinet repays old favours and special interests with no concessions to a restive north President Goodluck Jonathan shows little desire to impose himself on the country as the 36 state governors and the National Assembly jockey to push their nominees into the...
Vol 52 No 14 | NIGERIA Ministers old and new 8th July 2011 President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet was not complete when we went to press. Here are some key appointments and some of those tipped for appointment soon.
Vol 52 No 14 | SENEGALENERGY Power cuts without responsibility 8th July 2011 Chaotic energy policy causes lengthy power cuts – and urban unrest It is a symbol of the politics behind Senegal’s energy crisis. The North Korean-built African Renaissance monument on the hill above the darkened capital was bathed in light....
Vol 52 No 14 | SENEGALOIL AND GAS Refineries and rivalries 8th July 2011 The Chairman of the Board of the Société africaine de raffinage (SAR) is Serigne Mboup, a one-time ally of former Prime Minister Macky Sall, who is expected to...
Vol 52 No 14 | LIBERIA Strategic electoral alliances 8th July 2011 With four months to go to the presidential election, the atmosphere grows more tense The starting gun for Liberia’s second free presidential election since the civil war was officially fired on 5 July. Early indications for October’s poll show that President Ellen...
Vol 52 No 14 | GUINEAMINING Condé drives a hard bargain 8th July 2011 Before parliamentary elections in November, the government is rewriting the mining code and reviewing contracts Beyond the bonhomie and the stream of foreign dignitaries trooping to see President Alpha Condé in Conakry, evidence is emerging of grand corruption in public works and mining...
Vol 52 No 14 | GHANA Oil and reality 8th July 2011 The most obvious beneficiaries of Ghana’s oil boom so far have been the shareholders of the international companies operating there. Both Ireland’s Tullow Oil, listed on the London...
Vol 52 No 13 | NIGERIA Boko Haram declares war 24th June 2011 Building on growing northern resentments, the Islamist sect wants to create a political and security crisis by bombing the police Few seem convinced by President Goodluck Jonathan’s assurances that the security situation is under control following the bombing on 16 June of Louis Edet House, the national police...