Circumspecte

It's been a week since Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan moved to slash oil subsidies in West Africa's largest oil producing country. Seven days on, and unprecedented protests have been the result. Nigerians argue that the increased oil prices will make overall living costs higher, particularly for food purchases as an estimated 160 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day. With ongoing protests , it would seem that finally  Africans are realizing the power of mobilization and collective action. President Goodluck's TV address on the subsidy cuts was quoted in a BBC article this morning: "Either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences." Reading that, the economist in me thinks "He's got a point." Manipulating the economy to ensure lower prices doesn't take away from the fact that in reality, prices ...

I believe deeply that Ghanaians and Africans can make the necessary changes for development. Yes, there are obstacles. Yes, we have day-to-day responsibilities. Yes, times can be tough. But that's not the entire story. We also have stepping stones, passion, inspiring moments, and above all, we have EACH OTHER. In Ghana's case especially, having each other and keeping the peace is probably the biggest factor in how far we have come so far. Yet, if the events (revolutions) this year are any indication, our peace is not guaranteed , particularly when it is sitting on a minefield of inequalities. Enter Northern Ghana. Northern Ghana has probably been exhausted on here, so I won't take that route. If you want to know what my thoughts are regarding why development in the region is in the best interest of ALL Ghanaians, click here . Instead, I'd like to send you a personal invitation to take a step in helping initiate sustainable change in Northern Ghana for Ghana: BarC...

Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow," without adding, so please Allah!" And call thy Lord to mind when thou forgetest, and say, "I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to the right road." - Surah 18: 23, Al-Khaf (The Cave) This is undoubtedly one of my favorite chapters in the Holy Qu'ran . It tells the story of some young Muslims and their dog who came upon a cave when fleeing their enemies. Allah caused them to fall into a deep slumber, sealed the cave and saved them from their pursuers. When they awoke they wondered how long they had been asleep, and God commanded them to go into town to find out. They literally woke up in another time/era, the exact of which remains unknown to all but Allah. Why I like it? I can't pinpoint one thing. Maybe it's the comfort of knowing that God protects his own, or that He lovingly guides us to the best path/situation. Perhaps I find it amusing that what seems ...

Inspired by the "harmonious" cohabitation of extreme poverty & opulent wealth and the people who cross that great divide They're the ones who will be there to have a "good" time To rock the Prada, Armani and Luis Vuittons And when chanced with nii hao ? They respond muy bien gracias , ca va bien and mangi fii rekk They hold it down with the heavyweights and don't bat an eyelash when a minister looks them over And with their airconned lifestyles they hop from house to car to office and back again But don't be fooled, they don't belong.  They're just shape shifters, simply attuned to the world around them  -- Then there are those who'll join a good 5-6-7-8 other mouths around the dinner table And with tummies still a-growling, they'll paste a smile and say "Thanks, I really am full now" With empathy signed off in their gaze you don't feel embarrassed when you can't pay the dollar equivalent for a piece of bread Ala...

Some blog topics come to you in the form of a sentence from a stranger’s mouth, others come in dreams, and yet more from trending topics on twitter. My first blog topic in Ghana met me at the airport. As the plane descended into Accra’s Kotoka Airport, I thought to myself, “I’m finally home!” As is apparently the case with most flights arriving in Ghana, the passengers broke into spontaneous applause once we hit the runway. That’s when I saw it. The first thing to greet us upon arrival was a wretched-looking shell of what used to be a Ghana Airways airplane. The engine had clearly been removed, but the actual body was still intact, and while some paint was peeling off it, the words “Ghana Airways” and the familiar red-gold-green colors of our national flag seemed to stare wearily at the relatively spic and span Delta aircraft. Oh Ghana! My heart broke. I thought about taking a photo, but I was too distraught. Right there and then, my expectations of the “new” Ghana everyone seems to...