Africa Debate - Alex Jakana

Are Africans giving enough?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:08:32 +0000

The international charity Oxfam has launched an initiative to get Africans and their governments to donate more towards the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. It says the donations given by African countries so far are too small.

On Monday, China promised a further $55m (£33.5m) for famine relief, but the African Union itself has postponed its pledging conference.

Oxfam now says it intends to name and shame the African governments that it thinks should be doing more.

Do you think governments on the continent are doing enough? And what about individuals - have you donated to the cause?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 16 August at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

Has the phone hacking scandal changed your perception of Britain?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:00:20 +0000

The massive phone hacking scandal unfolding in the UK has gripped the imagination of millions of people in Britain and around the world.

The affair centres on the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch's News of the World newspaper and allegations that the paper unlawfully intercepted telephone messages. The News of the World ended up closing down last week after almost 170 years in circulation.

Britain's police force has now been embroiled in the scandal. Top police officers have been criticised for their handling of the investigation into phone hacking and allegations of wrongdoing have led to the resignation of Britain's top two police officers.

The media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and his son, James, will be questioned by British MPs about the affair on Tuesday 19 July.

This scandal has raised embarassing questions about press regulation, media ownership, the police, and potentially corrupt relationships between politicians, journalists and the police.

So as Prime minister - David Cameron concludes his trip to Africa, we ask: do you think Britain's reputation has been tarnished by the corruption revealed by the scandal? How do you feel about the way the press is regulated in your own country? Do you worry about how the police and politicians either manipulate or are being manipulated by the media?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 19 July at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

Is Equatorial Guinea coming in from the cold?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:28:53 +0000

African heads of state will descend on Equatorial Guinea this week for an African Union summit. The country is currently chair of the AU and in seven months time, it will host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.

But rights groups argue against Equatorial Guinea's AU role, contending that the country has one of the worst human rights records in Africa. Amnesty International's latest country report details politically motivated harassment and arrest of opposition figures; arbitrary arrests and detentions; and unlawful killings.

Critics have also accused the government of corruption, and of wasting public money on the multi-million dollar resort that has been built for the heads of state just outside Malabo. Whilst Equatorial Guinea boasts huge oil reserves - per head, national earnings are the same as European nations like Spain and Italy - all but a small elite live on less than a $1 a day.

In response to recent criticism, Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to the United Nations wrote to the New York Times. He said the country "is struggling vigorously to become more free, to modernize itself and to provide a better standard of living for its citizens."

So do you think it is right that Equatorial Guinea should be hosting these high-profile events? Is it setting a poor example to the rest of the continent - or is it a sign that things are in fact improving in Equatorial Guinea? And what about the Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea next year - will they be good hosts? Will you be going?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 21 June at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

How should Boko Haram be dealt with?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:01:33 +0000

Nigeria's police chief is holding a crucial meeting on Tuesday with police commissioners from across Nigeria to discuss the threat posed by Boko Haram. The Islamist group are accused of shootings in Maiduguri in recent days, and they claim responsibility for Thursday's bombing in Abuja.

The Boko Haram sect accuses Nigeria's government of being corrupted by Western ideas and wants to overthrow the state and impose Islamic law on the country. Do you in any way sympathise with this view?

A section of the Nigerian media is reporting that the police have made some arrests including foreigners following last Thursday's attack. According to the reports those arrested include some Somali nationals. A spokesman of the Boko Haram group claimed last week that some of its members had been trained in bomb making by Somali militants.

Is anti-Western sentiment on the rise across Africa? What would you like to see the police do to combat the threat Boko Haram poses to peace and stability?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 21 June at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

What were your highlights of 2010?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:51:31 +0000

The curtain is falling on 2010 and what a year it has been for Africa. From the euphoria of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the horror of the Kampala bombs that killed nearly 80 fans watching the final, to celebrations in 17 African countries that marked 50 years of independence including Nigeria and Somalia.

Then there were some highly controversial elections like those in Rwanda, Sudan and, of course, Ivory Coast.

Plus, not to forget, the SMS hoax of an impending earthquake in Ghana that left many people too scared to sleep indoors.

But all that aside, we'd like you to tell us what made this year memorable for you as an individual. You know, the events in your life that will always remind you of 2010. What things made you laugh, cry or do both this year?

Why is Africa still hungry?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:26:35 +0000

The 2010 Global Hunger Index (GHI) shows that eight out of the nine countries where hunger is increasing are from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Produced by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, the annual index is calculated for 122 developing and transition countries.

This year's study shows that twenty-nine of them, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, have levels of hunger described as "extremely alarming" or "alarming".

The study shows that the Democratic Republic of Congo had the biggest increase in hunger levels which rose there by 65%, while Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique have all shown an improvement over the last ten years.

Some countries achieved significant absolute progress in improving their GHI. Between the 1990 GHI and the 2010 GHI, Angola, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and Vietnam saw the largest improvements.

So on BBC Africa HYS we're asking why is Africa still hungry?

If you would like to take part in the discussion LIVE on air on Tuesday 12 October at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

Should Africa's media be "nation builders"?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:52:21 +0000

President Jacob Zuma has stepped into a debate raging over ANC proposals to change the way the media is regulated in South Africa.

Journalists argue media freedom and democracy will be threatened by the introduction of a parliamentary Media Appeals Tribunal and a law allowing the government to classify material currently not secret.

But the ANC says new legislation is needed to make journalists legally accountable for inaccurate reporting.

And, in a letter to the ANC published online, President Zuma has said "Does it [the media] have a role in promoting nation building? Is it a spectator, or does it have vested interests and an agenda, political and commercial, that it cherishes and promotes?"

Does President Zuma have a point? Should Africa's media play a role in promoting nation building? If so, how? Do you think the press in your country gets away with too much? How should the media be held to account?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 18 August at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

Is post-natal depression taken seriously in Africa?

Alex Jakana Alex Jakana — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:38:33 +0000

We all know having a baby can be a demanding and stressful experience.

Sleepless nights, nappy changes, and endless feeds can test the most loving parents.

But for some, having a baby can cause long periods of feeling very low, coupled with anxiety, guilt, or loss of appetite - all possible symptoms of post-natal depression.

It's not known exactly how many women experience this condition, but research in South Africa and India suggests it is more common in developing countries than we may think.

So Africa Have Your Say is asking: Is post-natal depression taken seriously where you live? Have you experienced it? If so, how did you deal with it?

If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Tuesday 25 May at 1600GMT, please include your telephone number in your comment or send it to africa@bbc.co.uk. You can also send an SMS message to +447786202008.