ITU Telecom World 2009
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Ghana Ce 17,000 I Kenya KShs 190 I Nigeria N 300 I South Africa R 17 November/December 2009 Vol.10 No. 3 Switzerland CHF 5.– I UK £ 2.20 I Euro Countries € 3.50 THE VOICE OF AFRICA IN THE DIASPORA Canton Zurich Prof. Akunyili on Angélique to perform encourages Migrants rebranding Nigeria in Zurich ITU Telecom World 2009 “ICT is transforming Africa” «Für die Integration kämpfen, heisst an Sicherheit gewinnen.» Sergei Aschwanden, Bronzemedalliengewinner olympische Spiele Peking 2008 Fotograf: Tim Lüdin ALLER ANFANG IST BEGEGNUNG. Eine gemeinsame Kampagne der Kantone AG, BL, BS, BE, SO,ZH und des Bundes zur Begegnung von Menschen unterschiedlicher Herkunft. www.aller-anfang-ist-begegnung.ch EDITORIAL Falling Short of The Mo Ibrahim Mark On 19 October 2009 the Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced its decision not to award the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Excellence in African Leadership this year. The Foundation reassured IMPRINT ISSN 1661-44-29 the public of its continued commitment to the promotion of good governance in Africa and its support for excellence in African leadership that will improve the economic and social prospects AFRICA LINK of the people of the continent. (Registered in Switzerland) A service to Africa and Humanity In an interview with BBC Mo Ibrahim said his Foundation is trying to re-brand Africa with the cash award that was launched in 2007. It offers former sub-Saharan African leaders who Published by AFRICA LINK ORG. have promoted good governance during their tenures in office a lump gratuity of $5 million, and Postfach 156, 8914 Aeugst am Albis a pension of $200,000 per year for the rest of their lives. Switzerland “We need to celebrate success. All the time we talk about failures. We wanted to reward great Tel. +41 44 776 25 60, Fax +41 44 776 25 63 achievers,” he explained. [email protected] The Prize Committee is aware that the importance of high quality leadership in sub-Saharan www.africalink.ch Africa cannot be overstated. There are many challenges and often few resources of state to address them. That is why the efforts of those leaders who rise above these constraints to develop their Editor-in-chief Mr. Johnson Oduwaiye countries, lift people out of poverty, and pave the way for future prosperity and success should be Tel. +41 79 664 13 54 recognized and celebrated. [email protected] The first to bag the award in 2007 was Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique. He was elected President in October 1994 in the country’s first multiparty elections, and then Editor Mr. Atsen Ahua again in December 1999. He stepped down from the Presidency in 2004 without seeking the [email protected] third term that the constitution allowed. In 1992, he had helped to end Mozambique’s 16-year civil war and reconcile a divided Associate Editors nation, working tirelessly to negotiate peace with the RENAMO (Resistência Nacional Moçam- Mr. Mohomodou Houssouba bicana) rebel group. To cement the reconciliation, President Chissano offered 15,000 places in Mr. Misseli M. Bationo Mozambique’s 30,000-strong army to former opposition RENAMO soldiers. Contributing Editors During his time in office, Mozambique began the journey of reconstruction and development, Ms. Folake Idowu, Dr. Priscilla Bowens (US), with improvements in healthcare, increased access to education and greater empowerment of Mr. Sherlock Fortuin, Mr. Gerome Tokpa, women, among his other progressive moves which qualified him for the award. Mr. Paul Nzeshi (Nigeria), Mr. Dennis Onyango (Kenya), Charlene Truter (Germany) In 2008 Festus Mogae was selected as the Ibrahim Laureate by a Prize Committee of six eminent individuals chaired by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Technical Editor Presenting the award Kofi Annan, Chair of the Prize Committee, said, “Botswana dem- Write to Express onstrates how a country with natural resources can promote sustainable development with good Pictures governance, in a continent where too often mineral wealth has become a curse”. All by Africa Link, President Mogae’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic was also recognised. except otherwise stated Former President Mogae speaking at ceremony where he received the award in Alexandria said, “Africa is reforming and improving. Botswana and Mozambique are not unique. There are PR Officer other examples of good governance in Africa.” Mr. Carlson Ngwa We all thought until the October 19th announcement that there were many more Mogaes Editorial Board Members and Chissanos to be found in the continent’s 54-odd countries. Mr. Peter Hevi, Dr. Sarah Kamau, However according to reports all the three former leaders that emerged top-most among the Mr. Carlson Ngwa, Mr. Dirk Visser, nominees for the extant award had fallen short of the Mo Ibrahim mark. John Kufuor of Ghana, Ms. Carole Soricelli honored in 2006 as a champion of democracy, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Thabo Mbeki Layout of South Africa all failed to attain the mark that would qualify them for “Excellent!” Obasanjo Typefact, Zürich apparently disqualified himself by brazenly seeking a third term in office when everyone expected him to do a Mandela. The unsavory crisis that surrounded the stepping down of the pensive Mbeki Account No. 0276-813239.40 N whose mien would have almost qualified him as an excellent philosopher-king from the Southern UBS Bahnhofplatz 10 tip of the continent was not to his advantage. John Agyekum Kufuor that had so much going CH-8910 Affoltern am Albis for his stature literally and figuratively unfortunately stained his good work with a last-minute Opinions published do not necessarily derailment of economic focus. reflect those of the editorial board The failure of the Ibrahim Prize Committee to find any former head of state worthy of the All correspondence to prize this year should not discourage the present crop of African leaders, rather it should breathe AFRICA LINK, Postfach 156 new life into their performance by motivating them to even higher standards of excellence in 8914 Aeugst am Albis, Switzerland leadership. In the words of former President Mogae it is our “earnest hope that present and future or E-mail to [email protected] African leaders will be inspired by this prize to rule their respective countries in the best interest © by Africa Link Org of their citizens and emulate the best in the world.” We wholly concur. November/December 2009 3 CONTENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS Editorial 3 Falling Short of The Mo Ibrahim Mark Swissline 5 Crises put Swiss political system to the test Interviews 7–8 Canton Zurich Encourages Educational, Socio-economic Integration of Migrants Mo Ibrahim: “I left BT out of frustration” Book Review 10 Swiss political -system put to test page 6 Why Industrial Revolution By-Passes Afric Nigeria 12–13 Rebrand Nigeria “Profess Positively On Nigeria” Celebration 14 Ugandans celebrate 47th National Day Forum 15–16 Nigeria and Angola Open For Business Networking toward increased solidarity with Africans living with HIV/AIDS ITU Telecom world 2009 17–23 Photo News ITU Telecom World 2009 page 21 “ICT is transforming Africa” Africa is mobile continent World Bank, AfDB back Telecom Infrastructure in West Africa Photo News A Period of Considerable New Opportunities Echoes from Pavilions Health 25 Largest Ever HIV Vaccine Trial Results Very Encouraging Photo News Algeria National Day page 29 Business&Economy 26–28 Africa: new bubbling opportunities at time of global crisis Celebration 29 Algeria National Day Celebration Echoes 30 Politics & Diplomacy 31 South Africa: Reflecting Confidence Religion 32 South Africa: Reflecting Confidence page 31 “Praying Badly vs. Praying Boldly” Entertainment 33–35 Angélique Kidjo coming to Zurich Reclaiming cultural space Playing the spirits to life Art 37 Hope and the BEA at the Centre de l’Esperance Sports 38 Hope and the BEA at the Centre de l’Esperance page 37 4 November/December 2009 3rd EDITION OF AFRICA LINK SOLIDARITY AWARDS We are pleased to inform you that the 3rd whose support and contribution has made a Edition of the Africa Link Solidarity Awards positive impact on the lives of ordinary Afri- will take place in May 2009. We therefore cans in any part of the continent or who have invite nominations from our readers and the contributed to enhancing the understanding public in the following categories based on of Africa and its issues in their countries of the stated criteria. origin. African Envoys of Excellence: These may THE CATEGORIES be African diplomats and other players in the African Diaspora Community and the Champions of Democracy and Transpar- international community whose contribution ency on the continent: These may be policy- has led to greater understanding and positive makers or technocrats whose vision, courage appreciation of Africa and its people. and action have led to a noticeable positive Champions of Development: This goes impact on the lives of Africans in any part to political actors and social entrepreneurs of the continent, and who have encouraged at the sub-national level such as provincial, and promoted democracy and transparency state or local government heads that have on the continent. shown outstanding performance in the physi- Friends of Africa: These may be non- cal and human development of their com- African individuals or corporate entities munities. NOMINATIONS FOR THE Each nomination must contain the following – Gender and nationality 3rd EDITION OF AFRICA LINK information: – E-mail & Telephone SOLIDARITY AWARDS – Profession/Occupation Particulars of the Sponsor – Award Category Africa Link Organisation will accept nomina- – Name and address – Justification for the nomination: An Essay of tions for the awards from November 1, 2009 – Gender and nationality not more than two hundred words. to February 28, 2010. Nominations may be – E-mail & Telephone sent by post or by email to: – Profession/Occupation Nominations must reach the Organisation by Africa Link Solidarity Award, – Brief Biography February 28, 2010 at the latest.