Effects of Ebola in West Africa and Ghana

Living in West Africa, one cannot help but think about the effects of ebola on our part of the world. Clearly the effects on Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea which have been directly affected are enormous, but Ghana and other West African countries have been affected – economically – as well. 

This article put forward by the Nordic Africa institute focus on the effects for Liberia. They say:

“The economies of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea have already been hit hard by Ebola. A major question is whether the negative effects will be temporary or more persistent, according to Eriksson Skoog. The World Bank has lowered its economic growth forecast for Liberia this year, from 5.9 percent to 2.5 percent as a result of Ebola. The budget deficit is expected to grow from 7.1 percent to 11.8 percent of GDP. The economic impact could become much worse if Ebola is not quickly tamed.

The World Bank distinguishes between two types of economic effects from Ebola. On the one hand, there are the direct and indirect costs for healthcare and production loss. On the other hand, there are the behavioral effects due to fear of contagion. People avoid crowds, workplaces shut down and travel and trade are disrupted. The effects caused by aversion behavior are by far the greatest. Hence it is important to address fear as quickly as possible in order to mitigate aversion behavior and normalize business activity.

The article also discusses problems with aid, for instance donations of rice disrupts the local rice market.

The American CBS Economics of Ebola article was also an interesting read. It says:

“Looking good today does not make people feel confident that they will be sitting pretty in two weeks,” said Stephen Morrison, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and director of its Global Health Policy Center, in an interview. But “While they are vulnerable … [Ghana and Ivory Coast] have the basics of a functional public health system, which was absent in these other countries. That doesn’t mean that they couldn’t be overrun with an influx of cases.”

Ghana, a country of more than 25 million, shares a border with Ivory Coast. It is also where the U.N. has decided to base its mission to respond to the Ebola epidemic. Washington has provided $1.7 million to the Ghanaian government for Ebola preparedness and response planning. Officials in Ghana, who have made gains in poverty reduction in recent years, have lamented that fears about Ebola have hurt their country’s tourism industry. Fear of the disease is something that economists will continue to monitor.”

Except for the Business&Financial Times story linked to above, I haven’t read too much about the effects on tourism in the region (this article suggests however the sector in Ghana is “collapsing” and the B&FT lamenting story ironically reports a World Tourism Organisation (WTO) conference, “Branding for Africa and Africa’s Image”, which had been scheduled to be come off in Accra from September 9-11, was postponed), but know from my interaction with Swedes that the trip I took home is not on anybody’s wish list – although Ghana has not even been affected by Ebola! That “aversion behaviour” is likely killing many livelihoods in all West African countries. 

 

 

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Review: Ariel’s Haven and Day Spa

Last week, I was worn out in a way only a new mother can be. One of my favorite luxuries in life is going for manicure and pedicure and over the years I have lived in Ghana, I have been to many of the salons in Accra. The service is often between 45-65 GHC (20-30 USD) and many times good: someone pampers you and you come out looking great, other times not so great and you come out even more tired after micromanaging an attendant who seems clueless…Ariel's collage 1
This time, I decided to go to a new salon, Ariel’s Haven and Day Spa, located in South La Estates, not far from the La General Hospital. I walked through their beautiful garden and then the receptionist and the owner, Olivia, warmly greeted me before I was shown to a cozy waiting area with comfortable couches.

Ariel’s specialty is private treatment rooms. I am one of those social butterflies who like going to the salon to meet people, but I think Ariel’s dedication to privacy is nice for the times you do not feel chatty, but still want to be pampered.

There is the room for the Domestic Goddess, Corporate Empress, Diva Princess (don’t that sound great!) and also a “Man Cave” for spa needs of guys. The salon is six months old, housed in a nicely refurbished private home and therapists all seemed experienced.

Ariels collage 3

I quickly decided I would do a massage as well and although treatments are by booking, Ariel’s sorted me out for a Swedish massage (90 GHC) in the Tranquility Room. However, first I was to do my nails! I had chosen aromatherapy manicure (30 GHC) and pedicure (40 GHC) and two attendants worked on me efficiently for about one hour, using products from the African Kanshi line and polish is from China Glaze. The treatments were finished off with a nice and thorough foot massage.

Ariels collage 2

Then I was shown into the massage treatment room. The massage was one of the best I have ever had! I know all about the medium-deep tissue massage that is called Swedish as I am Swedish! The one-hour of candlelit bliss allowed me to both doze off and get much needed intense kneading on some of my sore spots (oouch!) The massage room had room for two tables, so you could come with a friend or your partner and a washroom for cleaning up and changing. Again a very private set-up.

Ariels collage 4

The attention to detail at Ariel’s was great – everywhere cosy lighting, a good but not overwhelming scent, relaxing music, water served very cold with a lemon wedge inside and the personnel are kind, efficient and smiley. You can have a facial like my blogging colleague Naa had. Read her review here! The garden has a serving area where you can grab a bite! The salon is also open on Sundays!

All the little things a tired mother needs! Thank you Ariel’s Haven and Day Spa for a very relaxing morning!

This post is a collaboration between Ariel’s Haven and BloggingGhana. If you want a review for your business, please contact info@bloggingghana.org.

 

 

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Seven Photos of the Revolution in Burkina Faso

It has all the ingredients of a proper revolution: president shuffled abroad, media outlets overtaken, parliament ablaze and military seen on the streets of the capital. But it is the photos of the people that really convinces me it is indeed a revolution!

Here are my favourite seven photos shared on social media today.

https://storify.com/kajsaha/photos-of-the-revolution-in-burkina-faso

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Traditional Gift for a new Mother in Ghana

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Some friends came by with a traditional gift for me, the new mother. The gift was very formally introduced as often is the case with traditional stuff here in Ghana.

Sitting down in plastic chairs in front of our house and pretending like we did not know what was coming, although they had called ahead asking if they could come by with a gift, we greeted them with a longish account of what we had been up to and then listened to their story: “we have come to greet the new mother…”

When formal introductions and description of intent was behind us, I was led to their pick-up and informed of that what was there was for me:
– a crate of eggs
– a big bag of charcoal
– several tubers of yam
– a bottle of whisky

I was advised to drink some whisky every morning and ask my father-in-law for the meaning of my gift.

But to me, it was pretty clear that the gift symbolizes living the good life – filled with food, warmth and the occasional bitter medicine to make everything all right again – something we wish for our daughter.

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Institute of African Studies at University of Ghana – Now on YouTube!

My home department, the Institute of African Studies (IAS) at University of Ghana has taken a big leap forward this semester by broadcasting all of its famous Thursday seminars on Skype and uploading them on YouTube!

Last year, I suggested the institute should have a presence on social media and set up a Facebook account and a Twitter handle @IASUG (at the time, I could not believe my luck to get such an appropriate 5 letter handle!). I managed the accounts over the 2013 African Studies conference  (keynotes also available on YouTube) and then handed it over to the institute.

Now, however you can get more than photos and 140 character snippets – Thanks to new seminar coordinator Dr. Obádélé Kambon – you can experience IAS from the comfort of any place with Internet!

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Ghanaian Hospitality

We are back in Ghana!

Walking out of the plane at Kotoka Airport, we were met by the West-African dark and warm night – it’s like getting a giant hug! At the terminal building, we were welcomed with Ebola-screening and Yellow Fever vaccination controls, winding immigration cues but at the chaotic luggage pick-up, Godwin in an orange vest very professionally found my luggage before I did, expertly stacked the four heavy suitcases on one trolley and escorted us out in record time.

I will never forget the joyous sprint my daughter did into her fathers stretched out arms.

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Kajsa in Horisont Magasin

Some weeks ago, I was interviewed for the Swedish magazine Horisont (=horizon in English) about my life in Ghana. They focussed on Ghanaian politics and my personal adjustment to a new country – mixed with full spread photos. Now “my” issue is out!

Here is a sneak peak.

 

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The feeling of seeing one’s own words as captured by a journalist in print is hard to describe. My father sometimes talks about how our time is one of celebrity or wanting to be famous. I guess something like this then is a jackpot. On the other hand, it becomes very clear – when on this side of the magazine – that even those interviewed over colorful spreads of glossy paper are mere mortals.

Want to read the whole article?

If in Sweden, here is a list of places that sell the magazine. You can also order Horisont.

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#ADayWithAWoman on Twitter

Today, I was the lucky chosen Tweep to share my day with BloggingGhana’s 14100 followers on Twitter. I enjoyed it, and think you, my dear blog reader, might also enjoy my story. To read chronologically, start from the bottom of this post!

 

This illustration from a storybook is very close to our bedtime routine. #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/Uuks0ZsD5a

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@negusnegasti@BloggingGhana Glad to hear that cos I’m Fante too..:)” << we are a big family! 🙂 /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

..& love the stories  https://m.facebook.com/trotrodiaries?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.se%2F&_rdr … and made a blog on taxi “messages”  http://withlovefromghana.tumblr.com  @negusnegasti2/2 #ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Thanks @negusnegasti I used trotros and taxis my first year in Ghana (then I got a drivers’ license &a car)…1/2 #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Jonathan Dodoo@negusnegasti

@BloggingGhana did you ever use ‘trotro’ while you were in Ghana? If yes, how was the experience and if no, why not? 🙂

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Now dinner! It’s fish on the menu, which I love. Lucky, as I married a Fante! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@wunpinifm@BloggingGhana Absolutely. Parents can help too. Buy them as many books as you buy them toys. That’s a start.” <<Agreed! /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

The blogpost on breast feeding got so many comments, I made another blogpost of them!  http://kajsaha.wordpress.com/tag/baby/ #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Breast feeding is a big part of my day. I have blogged about the experience (both Gh&Swe)  http://kajsaha.com/2012/01/breastfeeding-in-ghana-statistics-misconceptions-and-formula/ …#ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

What do you think?@wunpinifm #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@wunpinifm: You seem like a voracious reader. What, in your opinion,can be done to get Ghanaian kids to love reading?”<<1 word: libraries.

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

I could write a book on this! I think I have to write a blogpost to even scratch the surface…Good q, @wunpinifm#ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Wunpi@wunpinifm

@BloggingGhana How different are your experiences as a woman in Ghana from your experiences as a woman in Sweden?

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

We are good with publicity online. Email us details about your campaign and we’ll see how to help @kansilainfo@BloggingGhana.org /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Wunpi@wunpinifm

@BloggingGhana @kansila @kajsaha We need to pay more attention to libraries all over Ghana. It’s like we’ve forgotten all about them.

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Hi @Saygyka It does make sense. Write a brief proposal to info@bloggingghana.org and we’ll take it from there! Cc @DeeDomfeh

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Ohhh , tell us more! Maybe we can be of help! @kansila @kajsaha#ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@wunpinifm@Kuukuwa_ @BloggingGhana Oh how’d I miss this? :(”<< You missed her, but not me! Tweeting #ADayWithAWoman a few more hrs /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

2/2 so reach out to FB friends, join an org like @Ghanathink or @BloggingGhana and talk to people in Ghana! #ADayWithAWoman/KHA @Abenaa46

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Thanks @Abenaa46 for your q. Ghana needs you! Like everywhere, in Gh you get a job thru your network. 1/2 #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Thank you @Abenaa46 for following #ADayWithAWoman @Ashesi@mawu_nyo /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

I wish the high street library in Accra was as well resourced! @kansila@kajsaha #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Chale @KwameAnim, don’t even start!! 🙂 #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@Legacy_oasis@BloggingGhana You make it sound like an awful experience”>> it has been awful sometimes, but also fun! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

…then I started my PhD at Uni of Gh+teaching @Ashesi. Throughout I’ve blogged:  http://kajsaha.com  2/2 @mawu_nyo #ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Thanks @mawu_nyo! I came to work at an international org, then I was unemployed for a while, then in a Gh company 1/2 #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Mawu Nyo@mawu_nyo

@BloggingGhana what hav u been doin in ghana 4 da past 7yrs?

 

@BloggingGhana

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Someone said: “Ghanaians are the most hospitable in the world in their homes, but at work, not so much” @KwameAnim#ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Thanks @KwameAnim – I do feel at home (smell of nkatenkwan, a cold Star, gospel sung by a neighbor), but it took time. #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@KwameAnim@BloggingGhana Do you feel at Home? How would you explain the popular mantra “Ghanians are Hospitable”.”

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Having lived 7 years in Ghana as a Swedish woman, do you have any questions for me? I’ll attempt to answer all! #ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

@BaffourA_K Yep, Afrostyle rocks! /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Our family friend just had her bday, we gave her a Gh WaxPrint cloth. This is the one she chose! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/Jl73rPrEv5

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

Post-library, pick up at school, then coffee again! This time with my parents & a family friend. #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/38fHGA8ih4

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

This is the library in my hometown. Reading is my religion so this is my church! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/c942Zyjejk

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

Parental leave in Sweden has two ingredients beside BABY: coffee and walking! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/6dmbsvZxFb

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

Africa-inspired displays during my shopping trip in Sweden. #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/vJxURd7whZ

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

My hometown provides fairy tale views! (On time public transport & streetlights!!) #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/7QY4FQfB5C

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

At 750 DKK/USD 128 a single entry Visa to Ghana does not come cheap. This FBgroup wants a change  http://m.facebook.com/visafreeghana?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.se%2F&_rdr … #ADayWithAWoman /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

Visa picked up. Baby got 30 days in Ghana, then she needs a renewal as Gh passports in are not secured in a jiffy/KHA pic.twitter.com/JjEfMHhB36

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

I’m continuing to town to run some errands like picking up the Ghana visa for baby & going to the library. Stay tuned! #ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

It’s about 10 degrees Celcius in #Sweden, and the school kids spend most of the day outdoors! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/eQY8vmESl3

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

Tomorrow is “parents’ meeting” at my daughter’s school. Just signed up! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/fCGhFqr1ov

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

Our road to school is all country side sweetness: cows, fields and we have maize too! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/L3iJtwU2va

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

On our way to school the 3-year-old looks out the car window for “planes to Ghana”. #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/VnfJXrp0d3

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

We are currently in Sweden with my parents, going back to Ghana in a few weeks. But now off to school. Thanks for ff #ADayWithAWoman/KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

My 3-year-old just woke me up, then she woke up my 10-week-old and then we stayed in bed! Cosy! #ADayWithAWoman /KHA pic.twitter.com/A4TMYpqPg4

 

BLOGGINGGHANA@BLOGGINGGHANA

4 YEARS AGO

BloggingGhana@BloggingGhana

Today, I’m the one running this account for #ADayWithAWoman! Normally you find my tweets @kajsaha /KHA

 

4 YEARS AGO

 

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Nordic Africa Days 2014: My Report

During the weekend 26-27 September, I took part in the Nordic Africa Institute biannual conference Nordic Africa Days. Here is my report!

  1. Hi there! I'm on my way to #nad2014 @NordicAfrica &looking forward to meet tweeps @finnowl @ulrichtadajeu @JamaMusse http://t.co/meVFzTGvKW

    Hi there! I’m on my way to #nad2014 @NordicAfrica &looking forward to meet tweeps @finnowl @ulrichtadajeu @JamaMusse pic.twitter.com/meVFzTGvKW
  2. As I am the food for my small baby, she had to come along. She demanded we started with the Youth and Politics panel…
  3. In Panel 22 on Youth & Politics, Akin Iwilade challenged the notion of “marginalized youth” and who becomes a militant #NAD2014
  4. Next @nannajordt told us about "hustling" for environmental rights in rural Kenya #nad2014 http://t.co/KrjUEtSM3Q

    Next @nannajordt told us about “hustling” for environmental rights in rural Kenya #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/KrjUEtSM3Q
  5. My @Ashesi colleague Joseph Oduro Frimpong presents political cartoons & photoshop pics from Ghana #NAD2014 #Woyome http://t.co/CQMQFmVEZs

    My @Ashesi colleague Joseph Oduro Frimpong presents political cartoons & photoshop pics from Ghana #NAD2014 #Woyomepic.twitter.com/CQMQFmVEZs
  6. Q&A “It is easier critiquing power than formulating an alternative…does that distinction matter?”, asks panel chair Elina Oinas #nad2014
  7. How a two-month old fares at #nad2014? She is now asleep forcing me to stand up/rock gently in the back of the room.. http://t.co/YujTbzVwR1

    How a two-month old fares at #nad2014? She is now asleep forcing me to stand up/rock gently in the back of the room.. pic.twitter.com/YujTbzVwR1
  8. In 1,5h @Mo_IbrahimFdn will talk on “Why governance matters” #NAD2014 If you are not in Uppsala, follow @NordicAfrica or watch it online…
  9. The talk can still be viewed online. I followed it on Twitter from my hotel room while breast feeding!
  10. The first day ended with a lovely conference dinner in one of the old student clubs in Uppsala. Next morning the sun was shining…
  11. Sunny and windy walk to the conference venue (Yellow building in back) #nad2014 http://t.co/kqUOG6KPFc

    Sunny and windy walk to the conference venue (Yellow building in back) #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/kqUOG6KPFc
  12. My first panel is about African Studies in the 21st century: @wikipedia & open access hosted by @ASCLeiden #nad2014 http://t.co/zwdS3wICA5

    My first panel is about African Studies in the 21st century: @Wikipedia & open access hosted by @ASCLeiden #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/zwdS3wICA5
  13. Great tip for researchers to make our research more accessible: write abstracts of all your work and put online! #nad2014 #opendata
  14. Find @ASCLeiden repository with free downloads, among the most popular a book on Boko Haram,  https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/12483 … #nad2014 #openaccess
  15. Find @ASCLeiden repository with free downloads, among the most popular a book on Boko Haram,  https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/handle/1887/12483 … #nad2014 #openaccess
  16. @kajsaha >50,000 publications on Africa, mostly #openaccess from >90 repositories via  http://www.connecting-africa.net 
  17. @kajsaha Africa country portal ASC Leiden (in beta): portal to information resources on >50 African countries  http://countryportal.ascleiden.nl/ 
  18. “As a researcher you have to look at contracts and make sure you have the right to your own work!” – Jos Damen @ASCLeiden #nad14
  19. Information on what resources are available online for free for African researchers via @ASCLeiden  http://www.ilissafrica.de/en/howto/OpenAccessGuide.html …#nad2014
  20. Next came the keynote, I had been looking forward to.
  21. Now the keynote I've been looking forward to: @MJerven "Knowledge and Governance" #nad2014 http://t.co/ve379JXjFu

    Now the keynote I’ve been looking forward to: @MJerven “Knowledge and Governance” #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/ve379JXjFu
  22. Outline of the speech 1. Validity, 2. Reliability 3.Governance 4. Conclusion. I'm such a nerd to be excited! #nad2014 http://t.co/EtJFATFHmL

    Outline of the speech 1. Validity, 2. Reliability 3.Governance 4. Conclusion. I’m such a nerd to be excited! #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/EtJFATFHmL
  23. “Scholars are mistaken when they trust @worldbankdata, but not, say, Sudanese state data. It’s the same!” – @MJerven #nad2014
  24. “There is an unhealthy academic divide: accepting GDP data at face value vs. dismissing the measurement” – @MJerven #NAD2014
  25. To illustrate 'poor numbers' @MJerven uses Ghana's entrance into middle incomes status on Nov 5th, 2010. #nad2014 http://t.co/Y7R41tMaRZ

    To illustrate ‘poor numbers’ @MJerven uses Ghana’s entrance into middle incomes status on Nov 5th, 2010. #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/Y7R41tMaRZ
  26. On governance: “in order to have evidence based policies you need…some type of evidence” – @MJerven #NAD2014
  27. Next @MJerven critiques the #MDGs as they take away from national data collection resources. #nad2014
  28. “It’s not so much about tempering with statistics, but more ignorance of the importance of statistics” – @MJerven #NAD2014
  29. Then an interesting debate started on Twitter.
  30. @kajsaha how come it doesn’t feel like we’re a middle income country? Or it’s not about feelings eh? #Ghana 🙂 @MJerven
  31. @nas009 @kajsaha @MJerven I guess it’s about paper feeling. Good in books, worst in reality.
  32. @kajsaha @nas009 @MJerven @BloggingGhana #Ghana is not poor neither is it a middle income country!
  33. @kajsaha @kofiemeritus @nas009 @MJerven @BloggingGhana Its not. The poorest is one who can’t afford to laugh. Take a good look at Ghana.haha
  34. Back to the keynote.
  35. “Presidents are elected based on delivering jobs, but there is no data on the labor market!” – @MJerven #NAD2014
  36. Wrapping up with constructive ideas 1. Data can come with warnings if based on guesses @MJerven #nad2014
  37. 2. Development agencies coordinating not just goals, but data collection as well #nad2014
  38. 3. Incentives and human resources in statistical offices #nad2014
  39. Multitasking mother and researcher @kajsaha frequently tweeting from the Key Note Speech #nad2014. @NordicAfrica http://t.co/FH7TuVeg1F

    Multitasking mother and researcher @kajsaha frequently tweeting from the Key Note Speech #nad2014@NordicAfrica pic.twitter.com/FH7TuVeg1F
  40. Final panel was my own. My topic was “Have you ever seen a plane seat before?” Migration narratives among university students in Ghana.
  41. ooohhh Godd luck! RT @kajsaha: Wish me luck! Panel chair introducing me! #nad2014 http://t.co/klV7yrWRTU

    ooohhh Godd luck! RT @kajsaha: Wish me luck! Panel chair introducing me! #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/klV7yrWRTU
  42. In my panel Tekalign Ayalew talks about Ethiop-Eritrean Migrants to Sweden. #nad2014 http://t.co/fEolENrWn9

    In my panel Tekalign Ayalew talks about Ethiop-Eritrean Migrants to Sweden. #nad2014 pic.twitter.com/fEolENrWn9
  43. Last panelist at #nad2014 is Viveca Motsieloa who is presenting a self-reflective paper on being mixed-race in Ghana. http://t.co/mLYetMOPu5

    Last panelist at #nad2014 is Viveca Motsieloa who is presenting a self-reflective paper on being mixed-race in Ghana. pic.twitter.com/mLYetMOPu5
  44. Then the conference was officially over! Hope to come back in 2016!
  45. Chairs are stacked, whiteboards are cleaned & people in prints are discussing where to have drinks. #nad2014 is over! Thanks @NordicAfrica !
  46. This drink is for @ulrichtadajeu! Next time you'll join us in the flesh! http://t.co/RhHPSNrwa7

    This drink is for @ulrichtadajeu! Next time you’ll join us in the flesh! pic.twitter.com/RhHPSNrwa7
  47. A cool think was the Camerooninan student that was following the conference on Twitter. He got this (photo of a) beer from me for dedication to academia!
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National Volunteer Day 2014 #nvday

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In commemoration of Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah who was born on Sept 21 in 1909, the productive GhanaThink group organises volunteers to make Ghana better.

In Ghana, September 21 is always a holiday, Founder’s Day, but just like most other Ghanaian holidays, not a very productive one…Nkrumah would likely turn in his grave if he saw Ghanaians drinking beer, sleeping or going to the beach, when he was all about hard work to make Ghana a better place to live.

What? Volunteer
When? 20-22 Sept, 2014
Where? All over Ghana

Through this eventbrite site, you can list a project of your own or find one to join!

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Sweden Votes 2014: A parliamentary nightmare

Now elections are concluded and “a parliamentary nightmare” ensues as no political block gains a majority of the votes. Although the Socialdemocrats as the biggest party will get to form a government, the situation is tricky. Whatever coalition will be weak – in numbers or likelihood of getting along.

The Sweden Democrats, a relatively new, populist party with reducing immigration as their main election promise, is the big winner of the election and sweeps all most 13% of votes.

The Feminist party doing their second national election was close to getting into the parliament, but came some 0,8% shy.

As a political scientist, elections are always interesting. This one might be a game changer as it breaks up the left and right block to cooperate against the populists.

The result was expected, but still disappointing. The snacks we had bought for the “valvaka” or election night were left in the kitchen. I’m not hungry.

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Ghanaians Going Places: Journalist Umaru Sanda

IMG_4842I first met Umaru last summer at his workplace radio station Citi FM in Accra. I was much impressed with his work (cool when phones start to ring non-stop, quick when to determine what big man or woman to follow up with, a good discussant on critical issues, wide smile) and glad to hear his efforts have been acknowledged internationally.

 

Umaru Sanda has been invited to attend World Water Week in Stockholm to accept the WASH award given for outstanding reporting on water and sanitation issues. With the current cholera outbreak I don’t know what other topic than the (relentless) quest for clean water could be more critical at the moment.
He received the award based on documentary Water Wahala which you can listen to here:

 

I have been upset about this issue before and how there seems to be no political will what so ever to change it. Here are posts from 2011, 2010 and 2009.

 

I am happy this fine journalist also got to see my native Sweden. Ayekoo, Umaru!

 

Photo: Umaru in the back, hand in the sky! July 2013 
 
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