An invasion threatens food crops and the agricultural economy of Zambia and Zimbabwe, writes McPherlain Chungu, 21, a Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India, who says that food security could be at stake. “Uno mwaka tulefwa kunsala!”(This year we will die of hunger) laments Mrs. Chilekwa as she glances at her struggling maize crop, …

“Army worms invade helpless maize crop” Read More »

Nuraddeen Haruna Idris, 21, a Correspondent from Yobe State, Nigeria, writes that rice farming can boost Nigeria’s economic status by providing employment and using investment that now goes to imports. Rice farming will boost the economic status of Nigeria because agriculture is a branch of the economy that provides employment for about 30 per cent of the …

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Makerere University’s 67th graduation ceremony launched more than 10,000 new graduates, writes Badru Walusansa, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, who argues they will need networking skills as well as academic success to land jobs and careers. While the graduates from Makerere and the rest of Uganda’s public universities will celebrate their latest academic feat, …

“Graduates should consider networking” Read More »

One reason for economic slow down is the decline of money  in the hands of consumers, writes Samasi Anderson, 20, a Correspondent from Bayelsa State in Nigeria, while at the same time money is concentrated in other hands. Money at the disposal of an investor is mobile in the global economy, he writes. When the income of …

“A panacea to economic recession” Read More »

Retirees count on pensions for their well-being in old age, but Alabidun Sarat, 22, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, writes that mismanagement of funds or onerous bureaucracy can be a burden on the hoped-for golden years. About two months ago, a group of old people in Nigeria under the platform of Internally Displaced Pensioners …

“The ease of getting a pension raises concern” Read More »

Nigeria has been experiencing its first recession in 20 years. Jonathan Ugiagbe, a Commonwealth Correspondent alumni from Benin in Nigeria, examines the prospects for a recovery and some of the ways to achieve the turn around. An improved economy would be driven by policies aimed at boosting produçtivity, improved budgetary allocation to capital expenditure, and …

“Potential ways to exit the recession” Read More »

Disappointed with missed Millennium Declaration targets, Folmi Yohanna, 27, a Correspondent from Kano in Nigeria, examines whether uneven progress will be addressed through the implementation of recently-adopted Sustainable Development Goals. The MDGs came into existence in September 2000, where leaders of 189 countries gathered at the United Nations and signed the historic Millennium Declaration, in which …

“From MDGs to SDGs: What is the next step?” Read More »

Public distrust of experts coupled with the anti-intellectual bias of Trump’s leadership in the USA poses a challenge for science, writes Andrew Larkins, 27, a Correspondent from Australia. Scientists and non-profits are pushing back against the trend. More than 20 years ago, Funtowicz and Ravetz wrote that “Science always evolves, responding to its leading challenges …

“Little science: big science: no science?” Read More »

Demonstrations in Cameroon over language tensions are getting little international attention, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana, who describes how the political situation has created hardship for students and young professionals. Cameroon is a country in West Africa with more than 240 ethnic groups. This makes the country very strong and rich …

“Entrepreneurs have become digital refugees” Read More »

Triggering Brexit could mean triggering another headache for those looking for housing in the crowded London market. Mary Adeyi, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent in London, UK, writes that a report from the mayor points to a construction industry that relies on European labour. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that a “Hard Brexit” would “cripple” house …

“Brexit could cripple housing construction” Read More »