Digital Technology in Africa

I found this article to be quite interesting and informative. For a continent that has electricity for only about 1 in every 3 people, the country has a far greater number of people who have mobile phones. Shocking right? Most of the cell phones they have are not smart phones, but rather ones with basic necessities and a long battery life because charging them can be a challenge. They are helpful in the sense that they keep families connected when individuals go off to find jobs. Also, there has been a growing trend in using mobile money (which can be wired from other people straight to their phones), this money can then be redeemed at vendors. It's a great way for individuals to send money home when they are off on a job far away. As of now, only about 15% of people have Internet access, but the Internet is still being used for productive uses. As opposed to the people with Internet getting involved with social media sites, many of the people use the Internet to find jobs, send money to a rural family member and find the best place to sell their products. In this way, technology in Africa is very much centered around the needs to move the country forward.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/africa-digital-revolution-mobile-phones

Park Rangers Killed in Virunga National Park

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2 rangers and a solider were recently killed by the rebels that poach the mountain gorillas in the park. The job of the rangers is to protect these animals from poachers, yet I don't think we realize how dangerous their job actually is. The article sites an alarming statistic that mentions that since 1996 over 130 park rangers have been killed. Park rangers are risking their lives for the diminishing number of mountain gorillas left in the world (this park houses 480 of the 790 mountain gorillas left). Yet, these rebels show no respect for the preservation of wildlife, nor any humanity towards those who are trying to protect gorillas. This just goes to show how widespread animal poaching is and the effects it has on more than just wildlife. Its scary to see such a war going on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20092835

Sierra Leone-- Environmental Preservation or Revenue from Gold?

Sierra Leone is an impoverished nation in Africa that only recently came out of a civil war. When over 3 million ounces of gold was recently found in the Kangari Hills, which is a protected 21,000 acre forest reserve that houses chimpanzees, elephants and various other protected species, the question arose should the economics of the country or the environment seize the day. Cluff Gold, a British mining company, has shown interest in mining for gold in the forest even though it has been a protected areas since the 1920s. One of the biggest problems is the actual boundaries of the reserve are unclear because the original boundaries were set up by stone barriers which have deteriorated and moved over time. Should the government allow this company to come in and mine for gold in order to improve the livelihood of its people? Or do you think this will have an even greater environmental impact on this country? Where should the line be drawn?

In my own opinion, I think it would be best to preserve the land and avoid the mining techniques that will introduce poisonous chemicals into the water and destroy the landscape. Also, I think that wildlife should be preserved as long as possible. But it becomes tricky when thinking about the people of this land. These hills could produce over $5 billion dollars in revenue for the country. It could improve their schools and other important things for the people. Despite my own bias, the country has decided to allow some mining to take place starting in 2014. What do you guys think should happen in this country? Should economy or environment be the main concern?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1015/Sierra-Leone-s-dilemma-There-s-gold-under-those-trees

The Washing Away of Ghana

Apparently, I'm on a Ghana kick as this is the second week in a row that I'm reporting about an article on this country. Well, this week, I found an article dicussion the coastal erosion that is occuring in Ghana and how it is destorying castles and a former slave forts. As these large toursit attractions and historical sites are destroyed, the tourist industry, which brings in  $2.1 billion dollars annually, is at stake for being lost. Now remeber, Ghana is already a poor country so any lose of revenue could be detrimental to the country. In addition, the wasting away of the coastline causes a great portion of the population lives at the coas. When there are storms, major waves, etc., those that live on the coast line are forced to move inland and abandon their source of income which is predominatly fishing. So there's a lot at stake here with the washing away of the shores. The seas are rising not necessary because of global warming, but also because sand is removed to build houses. As Ghana's shores come more inland, they're not the only country that is going to face problems. It's neighboring countries also face the same fate. This is why its important that all these countries work together to find a solution.

Ghana going green with sewage power?

This article caught my attention for various reasons. First off, I don't think I've ever heard of a country attempting to go green via creating sewage plants from human waste. I've heard of it from using cows to harness the methane but never from humans. Next, I never think of countries in Africa as attempting to go green- it's expensive enough to try to do in the U.S. under established means. And lastly, is this a safe and effective method?

Well, as it turns out, Ghana, which happens to be the world's poorest country, has agreed to have 10% of their country's electricity supplied from a alternative source by 2020. Is this realistic? Well according to this article, it can be if the correct methods are used. It has to be extremely profitable and cheap because few people in the country even pay for electricity when they receive it. Using human waste to create bio fuel to create electricity seems like a ridiculous idea, but it might actually work though. Other proposed ideas included using nuts for fuel or rubbish, but these are not as cheap and effective as this alternative would be. Even though its nice to see country making an effort to go green, I still don't know how I feel about this proposed plan.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1003/Ghana-s-best-shot-at-going-green-sewage-power