Ghanaians at home and abroad recently marked their country’s 60th independence anniversary. Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, watched the ceremonies, and talked to youth about what they hope to see in the next 60 years. In the capital, Accra, the traditional pomp and pageantry associated with the annual parade was taken …
Young people in Nigeria today are the change drivers, and investing in them will be of huge benefit to the country, writes Bryan Obaji, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, who urges support for legislative change that will allow younger citizens to hold office. A country of more than 182 million people with …
The so-called Millennial generation is the target of considerable criticism, but Jake Elson, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, urges perspective and suggests taking another view of the emerging generation. As I read my Facebook feed, a rather humorous petition popped up – Free the Moustache at Bunbury Catholic College. Considering this was …
“Millennials and the quest for personal identity” Read More »
Whether or not to learn one’s mother language is a question facing many immigrant youth, writes Hsin-Yi Lo, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Melbourne, Australia. She argues in favour of embracing the opportunity. To learn or not to learn your mother tongue? This question plagues us second generation immigrant youths (SGIY) growing up in Australia. Many …
Kenya is heading to general elections in August of this year, but Eric Omwanda, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya, argues there is little for citizens to celebrate if an electioneering period is still bound to traditional lines. He suggests empowerment strategies for change. It has been a tradition for the electorate of Kenya …
Technology is booming, but is not equally available to all citizens. Musa Temidayo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, looks at bold new technology that connects people to services, increases accountability and manages scarce resources. The ubiquitous existence of technology, in my opinion, has a potential to fundamentally transform the delivery of public services in …
An independent judiciary is one of the pillars of democracy, but Badru Walusansa, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, points to concerns that under-funding and lack of monitoring are factors in corruption that undermine the judiciary and its essential role. The 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda recognizes the need for the judiciary …
Youth are in the minority among candidates for influential elected posts. Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, interviews a young candidate to learn about his philosophy and his encouragement for youth engagement in politics. In January 2017, my attention was brought to a Facebook post written by one of my university friends. …
Four years ago the Mathare Festival started with the goal of promoting peace and preventing election-related violence. Eric Omwanda, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya, was instrumental in that successful effort and reports what happened next. Immediately after the Mathare Festival, one of my friends asked me, and I quote, “Now after Mathare Festival, …
Munguongeyo Ivan, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala, Uganda, spotlights the challenges of Uganda’s working poor, whose daily struggles seldom receive attention from the country’s public policy makers. The rural poor in Uganda face many daunting challenges. Many are locked in to a cycle of crises from which even the most gifted policy makers would find it …
“Breaking out of the poverty trap in rural Uganda” Read More »