Ghana’s judicial system has been rocked by investigations into corruption, writes Michael Gyekye, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, who examines the legacy and challenges facing the newly-installed Chief Justice. On 19 June 2017, Ghana swore into office only the second female Chief Justice in the country’s history. A former President of the African Court …

“New Chief Justice faces a tough job” Read More »

Efforts to eradicate poverty are traditionally aimed at men, writes Abdur Rafay Usmani, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Karachi in Pakistan, who argues in support of research that shows better results come from directing aid and assistance to rural women. One of the biggest factors impeding sustained economic growth in the third world has been …

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Africa has brilliant individuals but too often experiences difficulty with teamwork, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana. He suggests the reason is tradition that creates preference for “it’s mine” instead of “its ours”, and tells a story about overcoming that view. Many brilliant young African leaders want to be at …

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An initiative to protect and promote forests is a welcome move, writes Oghenechovwen Oghenekevwe, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Warri in Nigeria, but is being threatened by some countries’ failure to sign on – and by a push for competing development. Professor Wangari Muta Maathai was a Kenyan and African heroine. From the 70s till …

“Forest conservation needs more effort” Read More »

The pressing issue of world hunger prompted one individual to make a remarkable effort, writes Alabidun Sarat, 22, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who describes the work of a Lagos business woman. On realising that there were more than 795 million hungry people in the world and a startling number of Nigerian children were malnourished, …

“Working locally to eradicate world hunger” Read More »

Africa is a continent blessed with both human and mineral resources, large enough to make it self-sufficient, but Emmanuel Olutokun, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria writes that the reality seems to be in discord with statistics and expectations. It is known that the problems confronting my continent are not corruption or mismanagement …

“Leaders do much more than magic” Read More »

Discrediting reporting by journalists has become the norm rather than the exception in Kenya, as the government keeps placing roadblocks on the work of journalists, writes Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya.  Media houses in Kenya are facing increasing unorthodox ordinances in an attempt to gag them. Draconian laws enacted by …

“Censorship in Kenya: A nation plunged into information darkness” Read More »

Commonwealth Correspondent Kenneth Gyamerah, 26, is the proud winner of Ghana’s 2017 Leadership in Education Award, given by the Education Community Awards in Ghana to recognise educators and young leaders striving to improve the country’s education sector in Ghana. Kenneth describes the origins and inspiring results of his commitment to ensuring education and mentorship for Ghana’s most vulnerable students.  …

“I found my voice: I champion a worthy cause” Read More »

Zambia set a benchmark with its legislation against gender based violence, but McPherlain Chungu, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Zambia, writes that societal change is needed in order for the laws to be effective. In 2011, the Zambian Legislative body became one of the first in the Sub Saharan region to pass a sophisticated and …

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Elections are a crucial part of a healthy democracy, but Angelique Pouponneau, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, raises the issue of how we should consider the environment during an election campaign. The pinnacle of a democratic country is a constitution that makes provision for people to decide the direction of their country through …

“Facing the environmental cost of democracy” Read More »