Yesterday was the 16th International Day of Struggle against Monoculture Tree Plantations. In 2004, rural communities in Brazil declared the day to commemorate the resistance against the expansion of monoculture tree plantations in Brazil. Through solidarity statements and actions around the world the day has evolved to become an International Day of Struggle. This year, a … [Read more...]
Africa’s efforts towards eradicating plastics
The ongoing global movement for eliminating plastics is gaining momentum in Africa. Several countries are now taking steps to eliminate the production and distribution of single-use plastics, some adopting a total ban on the production and use of plastic bags. Cameroon, Egypt, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania have taken the … [Read more...]
African farmers sold out by secret deal on plant variety protection
"Harmonisation' is the new term used for the removal of African farmers' rights to survive by saving their own seeds as has been done over millenia. This is also the term used for removing our rights to natural and traditional medicines. On 06 July 2015, in Arusha, Tanzania, a Diplomatic Conference held under the auspices of the African Regional Intellectual Property … [Read more...]
Documentaries show women as force for change
Women Make Change, launched this weekend, is a new series from Al Jazeera showcasing women standing up and dealing with problems in their communities. Here are the women who have started impactful local projects in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Papua New Guinea. Focusing on areas as diverse as water, agriculture, family planning and sport, their work shows … [Read more...]
One last chance to thwart the great African seed grab
Nineteen African nations met this week in Arusha, Tanzania, to finalise a 'plant protection' protocol that would open up the continent's seeds to corporate interests, taking away farmers' rights to grow, improve, sell and exchange their traditional seeds, while allowing commercial breeders to make free use of the biodiversity they embody, to sell them back to farmers in … [Read more...]
Forest degradation and deforestation – addressing the canker in Ghana
Ghana was once famous for her endowed timber resources. Today, she cannot boast much about the abundance of this resource. The little remaining is struggling to thrive as it is left at the mercy of the activities of some unscrupulous persons; illegal chainsaw operators and illegal small scale miners. Their activities have destroyed our once beautiful landscape and terrain. … [Read more...]
UNESCO publishes climate change guidebook for journalists
African media can and should do more to tell the story of climate change, observes a new UNESCO publication, titled Climate Change in Africa: A Guidebook for Journalists. “This guidebook is part of UNESCO’s overall effort to raise awareness of the interdisciplinary core of climate change, and how journalists can reflect that in their practices”, says Fackson Banda, UNESCO … [Read more...]
African Renewable Energy Alliance celebrates 2nd birthday
Today, 550 members from 61 countries are working together to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in urban and rural Africa in order to improve people's livelihoods and to protect the environment. The African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA) is a global platform for policy-makers, business, civil society and academia to exchange information and consult on policies, … [Read more...]
Power Kick for Africa
It feels as though the world closed ranks in June, united by the universal love for football. The World Future Council was in the middle of it, with the 'Power Kick for Africa' project keeping many of the staff on their toes. To promote the use of renewable energy in Africa, we organized a policy workshop in Ghana's capital Accra. Also, a World Cup public viewing powered by … [Read more...]
