If you were to ask any Ghanaian, whether local or in the diaspora, what Ghana’s biggest issue is, the response would undoubtedly be dumsor, pronounced “doom-sore.” This term refers to the continuous and unpredictable electric power outages in the country.
Though dumsor has been a problem for decades, it was not until 2012 that this issue worsened. Ghana now faces regular power outages which can last for about 12 hours per day.
The reasons for the outages are unclear. It has often been claimed that part of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) was cut by a ship’s anchor, which consequently halted the transmission of gas for electricity production. Other theories claim that the Akosombo Bui and Kpong Dam are not functioning properly because of low water causing mechanical problems with power plants. But whatever the cause, this crisis has yet to be solved.
In 2013, the World Bank Enterprise Survey on African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, named “the ongoing rampant poor electricity supply as one of the biggest barriers to growth of the country’s economy and hindrance to many multinational investors.”
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) was reported to have lost $100,000 in profits in 24 hours due to continuous power outages at the Tema Harbour site. Other manufacturing companies such as breweries, bakeries and clothing companies, businesses such as restaurants, salons and corporate offices, as well as important locations such as hospitals, airports and schools, are also being adversely affected.
Every working person in the country needs electricity. For the few who have generators, life is a bit more bearable. But a consequence that arises from this alternative is not only the noise that is created by these generators but the cost to maintain these devices. For those who can only afford candles, the use of this alternative can lead to fires.
The Ghanaian government, as well as the Volta River Authorities (VRA), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO), the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been looked to for answers. Although the president has made several promises, including a notable one that dumsor would be over by Christmas 2015, the problem still persists.
At this point, after several denials and broken promises by the Ghanaian government, it has been realized by most that the current energy crisis is not a result of inadequate installed capacity but rather a lack of financial resources to utilize the installed capacity. Ghana already owes billions of dollars in debt to electricity companies within and outside Ghana.
After four years, despite public marches, protests by local celebrities, the launch of a dumsor app and all of the promises by the government, no real progress has been made so far. Addressing this issue will tremendously help the country economically and contribute to its development.
– Vanessa Awanyo
Sources: My Joy Online, Modern Ghana, AllAfrica
5 Habits of a Highly Successful Advocate
5 Habits of a Highly Successful Advocate
– June Samo
Sources: American Planning Association, Government and Community Relations, Salsa, TASCO, The Advocacy Project, WFP
Photo: Flickr
BURO Bangladesh Fights Poverty in Bangladesh
BURO Bangladesh currently serves 1.3 million impoverished people, many of whom are women, operates 644 branch offices in Bangladesh and employs more than 6,000 staff.
Established in 1990, the organization is one of the first microfinance institutions in the country to dedicate 100 percent of its operations to achieving financial sustainability for women and their families through commercial capital.
BURO Bangladesh offers two main programs, a microfinance program and a remittance program. The main goal of the microfinance program is to reduce poverty among the disadvantaged and the poor living in Bangladesh. Some of the features of the program include open withdrawal savings accounts, optional loans and operational and financial self-sufficiency resources.
The remittance program is designed specifically for expatriates who work abroad in order to provide for their families back in their home country. BURO Bangladesh has established partnerships with multiple banks and money transfer services across Bangladesh and Asia, such as Western Union, Xpress Money and Merchantrade products, to provide their clients with products.
Besides focusing on microfinancing to assist with poverty alleviation, they have also implemented other projects to address common issues in Bangladesh. These projects concern issues such as supplying clean water, both for consumption and hygiene purposes; human resource development within companies; and improving health, hygiene, nutrition and sanitation throughout the country.
According to its 2014-2015 report, BURO Bangladesh has successfully helped over one million people. In a country where approximately 36 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line of $2 per day, the organization plans to continue assisting impoverished people, particularly women, throughout Bangladesh until poverty is reduced significantly.
– Julia Hettiger
Sources: BURO Bangladesh, Mix Market, Nation Multimedia
Photo: Flickr
Where Donald Trump Stands on Global Poverty
In this presidential race, Trump has been focused on illegal immigration in the U.S., particularly Mexican and Muslim immigration. He continuously affirms his belief that illegal immigrants are a national security concern. He also continues to voice his disapproval of immigrants from Syria migrating to the U.S.
Other hallmarks of his candidacy have been his unapologetic rhetoric. Trump’s controversial appeals have become his greatest asset in acquiring votes. In addition to immigration, he has been particularly vocal about the Islamic State group and the threat he believes the terrorist organization poses.
In contrast to fellow presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ humble beginnings and opposition to wealth inequality, Forbes identified Trump as one of the richest American billionaires. So given his wealth and his stance on immigration, where does Donald Trump stand when it comes to foreign aid?
“It is necessary that we invest in our infrastructure, stop sending foreign aid to countries that hate us and use that money to rebuild our tunnels, roads, bridges and schools—and nobody can do that better than me.”
– Donald Trump’s Presidential Announcement 2016
“Pakistan’s a real problem because they have nuclear weapons… I would say we don’t give them any money unless they get rid of their nuclear weapons.”
– Donald Trump speaking on Fox News, May 9, 2011
“Money should be spent in our country. We should rebuild our country and also by the way reduce our $16 trillion in debt.”
– Donald Trump speaking about Afghanistan, March 13, 2012
In addition to his opinions on foreign aid, Trump’s discourse on decreasing the poverty rate in the U.S., which currently stands at approximately 14 percent of the population, consists of diminishing public assistance and handing responsibility for the poor over to volunteer organizations.
The results of this presidential election will reveal whether Americans prefer a leader with proven experience or charismatic promises. Foreign aid plays an essential role in the lives of millions around the globe. The continued provision of this foreign aid from the U.S. depends on which leader Americans choose to elect.
– Mayra Vega
Sources: India Times, Talk Poverty, NPR, The Atlantic
Photo: NY Daily News
Open Society Foundations: Giving Countries Their Freedom
Authoritarian governments, in which absolute power is held by a single dictator or ruling party, have been linked to an increase in poverty. To unveil the full impact of authoritarian government on poverty, the Human Development Report of the United Nations analyzed the condition of sub-Saharan Africa over the last 30 years. The study revealed authoritarian governments are more likely to become corrupted, have greater levels of violence than democracies and often favor the poverty of their citizens.
Conversely, open societies allow for freedom of belief, flexible social structure and availability of information. Citizens have a greater say in the running of their own countries and lives.
George Soros founded OSF in 1979 when he realized he had the funds and connections to make a real difference. By 1984, he had established his first foundation in Hungary, which involved the distribution of photocopiers in a bid to lessen the communist control on freedom of print. Within two decades, OSF had become active in all regions of the world.
Despite its positive aims, some countries have not welcomed OSF’s mission. In May 2015, Russia banned ‘undesirable’ foreign organizations that could compromise its constitutional order or national security. “The ‘undesirables’ law and its implementation have been a terrible blow for civic freedoms in Russia,” said Hugh Williamson, the Europe and Central Asia director of Human Rights Watch.
Despite resistance, OSF continues to grow by way of a two-part strategy. First, it operates the Central European University, where future political leaders can research and analyze new solutions to ensure that open societies remain stable. Students from more than 100 countries attend the university.
Second, current OSF president Christopher Stone created the New Executives Fund, a $2 million fund to start off nonprofit organizations that support education, social change and public health. Every year, two or three selected nonprofits receive two-year grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. This fund, as well as supporting worthy causes, has directed global attention toward OSF.
Making inroads to transforming authoritarian governments into open societies helps to reduce poverty and improve standards of living. OSF is committed to forming governments across the globe “where all people are free to participate fully in civic, economic and cultural life.”
– Sarah Prellwitz
Sources: Philanthropy, HRW, Open Society Foundations 1, Open Society Foundations 2, Tide Global Learning
Photo: Google Images
Dumsor in Ghana: Staying Connected
Though dumsor has been a problem for decades, it was not until 2012 that this issue worsened. Ghana now faces regular power outages which can last for about 12 hours per day.
The reasons for the outages are unclear. It has often been claimed that part of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) was cut by a ship’s anchor, which consequently halted the transmission of gas for electricity production. Other theories claim that the Akosombo Bui and Kpong Dam are not functioning properly because of low water causing mechanical problems with power plants. But whatever the cause, this crisis has yet to be solved.
In 2013, the World Bank Enterprise Survey on African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, named “the ongoing rampant poor electricity supply as one of the biggest barriers to growth of the country’s economy and hindrance to many multinational investors.”
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) was reported to have lost $100,000 in profits in 24 hours due to continuous power outages at the Tema Harbour site. Other manufacturing companies such as breweries, bakeries and clothing companies, businesses such as restaurants, salons and corporate offices, as well as important locations such as hospitals, airports and schools, are also being adversely affected.
Every working person in the country needs electricity. For the few who have generators, life is a bit more bearable. But a consequence that arises from this alternative is not only the noise that is created by these generators but the cost to maintain these devices. For those who can only afford candles, the use of this alternative can lead to fires.
The Ghanaian government, as well as the Volta River Authorities (VRA), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO), the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been looked to for answers. Although the president has made several promises, including a notable one that dumsor would be over by Christmas 2015, the problem still persists.
At this point, after several denials and broken promises by the Ghanaian government, it has been realized by most that the current energy crisis is not a result of inadequate installed capacity but rather a lack of financial resources to utilize the installed capacity. Ghana already owes billions of dollars in debt to electricity companies within and outside Ghana.
After four years, despite public marches, protests by local celebrities, the launch of a dumsor app and all of the promises by the government, no real progress has been made so far. Addressing this issue will tremendously help the country economically and contribute to its development.
– Vanessa Awanyo
Sources: My Joy Online, Modern Ghana, AllAfrica
UN World Food Programme Restores Food Rations to Syrians
In early February 2016, world leaders gathered at the conference in London to plan the restoration, the U.N. News Centre reports. According to the New York Times, most of the new money for the pledge was provided by Germany. The World Food Programme had to make cuts in aiding Syrian civilians last year because its budget was severely underfunded. This new pledge has helped the budget immensely.
The rations will go to Syrians inside the country, as well as refugees in the region. According to the U.N., there are 4.5 million Syrians inside the country and 1.8 million refugees outside the country in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt who rely on the World Food Programme every day.
The executive director of the World Food Programme Ertharin Cousin said, “the pledge now fully meets the basic food assistance necessities for those in need.” The pledge will also support increased student meals and other in-kind activities that will help create a better future for those affected, World Food Programme News reports. According to the U.N., these funds will allow the World Food Programme to provide a full food basket to families between April and October 2016.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also said that life-saving humanitarian assistance would be delivered by the U.N. and its partners to roughly 154,000 people living in besieged locations inside Syria. The assistance includes food, water, sanitation supplies, nutrition, household items, health and medical supplies.
Delivery trucks have already reached Moadimiyeh and more are expected to reach Madaya, Zabadani, Kefraya, Foah and East Ghouta. These deliveries will be in addition to regular operations delivering humanitarian aid to millions of Syrians, the U.N. reports.
According to Nonprofit Quarterly, the U.N. estimates that over 250,000 people have been killed and 12 million have been displaced due to the situation in Syria. The U.N. World Food Programme continues to do essential work to provide relief and assistance to the refugees and displaced persons.
– Kerri Whelan
Sources: WFP, United Nations, Nonprofit Quarterly, NY Times
Photo: United Nations
Kenyan Startup BRCK Works to Connect Africa
The BRCK wifi device is a solar-powered modem designed to withstand harsh environments and work using limited sources of power and Internet connections. It is also unique in that it can hop between various types of connections including Ethernet, wifi and 3G or 4G.
The device has eight hours of battery life, which is crucial due to Africa’s frequent power outages. BRCK’s slogan is: “If it works in Africa, it will work anywhere,” according to TechCrunch.
“Most of the organizations working to increase access to the Internet in Africa are dealing with it at the infrastructure level, with satellites or undersea cable, with mobile phone towers — and even balloons and drones,” said BRCK CEO Erik Hersman to CNN. “BRCK deals with the last meter of Internet connectivity in the bus stops and kiosks, homes and schools of Africa.”
The African-led company has sold over 2,500 devices in 54 countries since 2013. Most of their sales have been in India. The $3 million the company has secured comes from the TED organization and former AOL executives Jean and Steve Case, CNN reports.
“A lot of this funding is earmarked to grow our footprint, distribution and team around BRCK Education across the continent and globally,” said Hersman to CNN.
The majority of the 410 million school children in Africa do not have access to the Internet, which is something that the startup hopes to solve with its education program. The initiative works to provide remote schools with digital materials. Its ‘Kio Kit’ includes 40 water-resistant tablets, 40 earphones and a plug to provide wireless charging.
Schoolmaster Pastor George Njenga, who uses BRCK Education in his classrooms, told CNN, “This technology is a great help not only for the teachers but also the students, who are really learning a lot.”
With continued innovation, funding and expansion, BRCK has the potential to increase Internet connectivity across Africa and other largely unconnected parts of the world.
– Kaitlyn Arford
Sources: Tech Crunch, CNN, BRCK
Photo: CNN
Progress Made in Containing the Ebola Outbreak
From the first report of this outbreak on Mar. 23, 2014, this disease became a devastating epidemic, which led to nearly 25,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths. Most of the deaths occurred in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
According to the U.N. Foundation blog, “the past year of battling Ebola has exposed troubling weakness, both in the health systems of the affected countries and in the international community’s ability to respond to the health crises of this nature.”
However, this period has also shown the world both the power and potential of a coordinated, global response. WHO and its partners are now in phase three of the Ebola response, from August 2015 to mid-year 2016.
At the climax of the Ebola outbreak, it is reported that more than 800 new cases of Ebola were being reported on a weekly basis. However, in the past year, the number of reported cases has fallen in countries like Liberia — the country that has seen more Ebola deaths than any other nation.
On the ground level, WHO continues to deploy technical experts in the three most affected countries and engage not only in response but in early recovery and survivor support efforts.
A collaboration between WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has led to about 4,000 technical experts as well as Ebola vaccination teams being deployed on the ground in more than 70 field sites in the three most affected countries.
Furthermore, WHO highlights that 45 laboratories have been installed since the start of the Ebola outbreak with WHO and the Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN) supporting 29 of them. All of these laboratories have tested more than 200,000 patient samples.
The Ebola outbreak has shaken the world and caused many deaths. However, thanks to the diligence, dedication and support from volunteers, medical teams, scientists, researchers and many others who have made fighting this epidemic a mission, much progress has been made in containing the Ebola outbreak.
– Vanessa Awanyo
Sources: WHO, UN Foundation Blog
Photo: Flickr
Tackling Meningitis in Africa with MenAfriVac
The vaccine was developed specifically for Africa and targets meningococcal A meningitis, a bacterial infection of the thin lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a highly-feared disease due to its capacity to kill its host within hours. Survivors often experience permanent hearing loss, paralysis or even mental retardation.
“We have achieved something truly historic with MenAfriVac®—creating an affordable, effective, tailor-made vaccine for Africa,” said Steve Davis, president and CEO of PATH, a nonprofit global health organization.
According to PATH, more than 90 percent of meningitis epidemics in Africa attacked mostly infants, children and young adults. To zero in on this specific cause of meningitis, PATH partnered with the Meningitis Vaccine Project and the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the five years that MenAfriVac has been in effect, 235 million children and adults have been vaccinated. From 250,000 cases during an epidemic from 1996 to 1997, to only 80 confirmed cases in 2015, the vaccine has effectively protected millions of people.
However, a resurgence is possible within 15 years if an immunization program is not implemented permanently. Several countries applied for funding to begin implementing MenAfriVac into their national childhood immunization programs. Gavi, a global health partnership that focuses on vaccines, has spent $367 million campaigning and stockpiling the vaccine since 2008 to support these countries.
“Meningitis A was a scourge across Africa’s meningitis belt for generations but today we can be proud that a safe, effective meningitis vaccine is protecting hundreds of millions of people from death and disability,” said Dr. Seth Berkley, Gavi CEO. “But we must not be complacent. It is critical that at-risk countries begin introducing this vaccine into their routine schedules and ensuring every child is reached and protected.”
This achievement could not have been possible without the vital partnerships that contributed to the development of the vaccine. U.S. agencies financially supported MenAfriVac, provided technical expertise and participated in clinical studies of the vaccine.
Continued partnerships could lead to solutions for other diseases around the world and have a positive impact on global health.
– Emily Ednoff
Sources: Gavi, PATH
Photo: Flickr
55th Anniversary Since JFK Established Peace Corps
According to Politico, Kennedy wrote a message to Congress stating that the people of underdeveloped nations were “struggling for economic and social progress.” He also went on to say, “Our own freedom and the future of freedom around the world, depend, in a very real sense, on their ability to build growing and independent nations where men can live in dignity, liberated from the bonds of hunger, ignorance and poverty.”
Congress, at first, was skeptical. In response, Representative Marguerite Sitt Church, who had traveled to sub-Saharan Africa, defended the bill by speaking about the importance of on-the-ground work in underdeveloped areas.
Representative Catherine May noted the impact of Church’s words: “You quite literally could see people who had been uncertain or perhaps who had already decided to vote against the Peace Corps sit there, listen to her very quietly and start to rethink.”
The House then approved the bill for the volunteer organization in a 288-97 vote and Kennedy issued the executive order to establish it.
Since its launch, the Peace Corps has done incredible work. Currently, the organization has 6,919 volunteers and trainees, with over 220,000 Americans serving since it was created.
Volunteers carry out work such as helping build sewer and water systems, constructing and teaching in schools, helping develop crops and teaching effective agricultural methods. A majority of the work is done in Africa but volunteers also assist nations in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands.
The Peace Corps celebrated its 55th anniversary at Georgia Gwinnett College, which was selected in 2014 as one of the six universities and colleges for the Peace Corps Prep Program, based on their demonstrated interest in promoting international learning and providing service opportunities to their students.
Students were invited to attend the event to celebrate the anniversary and learn about becoming Peace Corps volunteers, marking the next generation of Americans that will serve with the program and make a difference in countries in need around the world.
– Kerri Whelan
Sources: Politico, Peace Corps 1, Peace Corps 2, Peace Corps 3, Peace Corps 4, GGC