Human rights key to Norway’s foreign policy

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide’s opening address at a seminar on freedom of speech and freedom of the press – a collaboration between Fritt Ord, The Norwegian Union of Journalists, Article 19 and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ladies and gentlemen, On this day in 2013, the French journalists Ghislaine Verlon and […]
China’s Alibaba launches trade platform in Rwanda

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Alibaba Group Executive Chairman Jack Ma on Saturday witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the Rwandan Government and Alibaba establishing an eWTP (electronic world trade platform) hub in Rwanda. The agreements are intended to strengthen cooperation in support of Rwanda’s economic development by promoting policy innovation, […]
Quotas not enough to create gender equality

Gender quotas serve a purpose, but they are not enough to break down stereotypical gender roles. Real gender equality requires political will to achieve a general change of attitude in society, according to Heidi Hudson, guest professor at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden. Hudson’s research also casts a critical eye on success stories, such […]
Speech: Mr. President, Liberians cannot wait

It is an honor and I am grateful for the opportunity we were given to speak to you on this special occasion. I am humbled by your preferment to serve as your keynote speaker tonight. I stand before you today, not only as a proud citizen of Lofa county; but also, a grandson of a […]
Somalia’s security situation discussed at US roundtable

During the tenure of President Mohammed Farmajo, Somalia has developed a comprehensive transition plan for its security, undertaken reforms of the Somali National Army, and strengthened ties with regional and international security partners. This has been accompanied by a decline in Al Shabaab violence against citizens and the reopening of the Mogadishu Stadium to sporting […]
US promotes Ghanaian trade and economic growth

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on Wednesday, through the Trade Africa Learning Event, provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the new tools, manuals and on-line portals that are boosting the exports of Ghanaian products, generating more income for citizens, and helping Ghana diversify its export base […]
ECA wants to become Africa’s premier think tank

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is working hard to ensure it becomes a premier think tank that Africa can rely on to address some of its social, economic and environmental challenges, Executive Secretary Vera Songwe said on Wednesday. Speaking at a retreat of African permanent representatives based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Ms. Songwe said […]
Liberian media development fund drive launched in US

A fund drive intended to seek monetary and technical support for the development of the local Liberian media has been launched in the United States of America (USA). The rally was initiated by the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) on Saturday, October 6 at its Annual National Benefit Banquet held in Minneapolis, […]
SIPRI films: Malians talk about their security

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has produced a series of interview films spotlighting people’s perceptions of security in Mali. A range of voices from the country’s different regions are represented — all of which belong to members of the Monitoring Groups for Peace and Security (MGPS) within the SIPRI–CONASCIPAL peacebuilding and civil-society strengthening […]
A solid partnership to empower Liberian women

A group of Liberian ladies participated in the 2018 edition of the African Women Intercultural Dialogue (AWID) in Abuja, Nigeria on September 25. Hawa Norris, Laila Genoway, Nohn Dekpah and Krubo Nwainokpor attended the event through a collaborative partnership between SEHWAH, a Liberia-based Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) and the SHEROES Sisterhood, a Pan-African women empowerment […]