(November 21, 2005) The Executive Secretary of the National Africa Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council, Dr. Francis Appiah, has said that despite Africa’s endowment with natural resources, internal factors such as "senseless coups, wars and conflicts," have made the continent poor. Speaking at an African Peer Review Mechanism and National Development Planning Commission workshop, Dr. Appiah said that Africa would have been better-off today if it had not passed through the hands of dictators who muzzled the press and ensured a "culture of silence"
Other News Sources
Malawi loses K5 billion in corruption
(November 21, 2005) The Malawi government has lost close to a whopping K5 billion in the last five years due to high-level corrupt practices that involved top government and party officials, The Chronicle has learnt.
Poll win solidifies Zanu’s stranglehold
(November 29, 2005) President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has cemented its grip on power.
World Bank reform signed into law
(November 18, 2005) U.S. President George Bush has signed into law legislation urging greater transparency and accountability at the five international multilateral development banks MDBs).
The Middle East’s real bane: corruption
(November 18, 2005) Beirut: President George W. Bush has made democratization a pillar of his administration’s strategy. “It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny,” he declared in his January 20, 2005, inaugural address.
Anti-corruption declaration adopted
(November 18, 2005) Business leaders of 21 economies in the Asia- Pacific region Friday adopted an anti-corruption declaration, urging their heads of state to make greater efforts to eliminate corruption and enhance transparency.
Wanted: Honest men and women for Liberian govt
(November 18, 2005) Presumptive president-elect Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is looking for a few honest men, and women, to form a government able to tackle the challenge of rebuilding war-torn Liberia, writes Lauren Gelfand for the Mail & Guardian Online.
Issuing contracts, ex-convict took bribes in Iraq, U.S. says
(November 18, 2005) A North Carolina man who was charged with accepting kickbacks and bribes as a comptroller and financial officer for the American occupation authority in Iraq was hired despite having served prison time for felony fraud in the 1990’s.
France’s ‘Ambassador for Life’ admits role in oil-for-food scandal
(November 18, 2005) One of France’s most distinguished diplomats has confessed to an investigating judge that he accepted oil allocations from Saddam Hussein.
Nigeria yet to pay Paris Club
(November 17, 2005) Nigeria is yet to pay the $6.4 billion due to the Paris Club on account of the debt relief granted the country, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.
Pinochet tells judge God will pardon him
(November 16, 2005) Chilean former dictator Augusto Pinochet told a judge he doesn’t believe there were excesses during his 17-year rule, and if there were, God would pardon him, a human rights lawyer said.
Three Gorges and the environment
(November 15, 2005) Three Gorges Probe exclusive Dai Qing’s first public talk in China since 1989: ‘Three Gorges and the environment’
President signs Foreign Ops bill containing Lugar MDB reforms
(November 15, 2005) U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar announced that reforms to bring greater transparency and accountability to the five multilateral development banks (MDBs) have been signed into law by President Bush.
Bush signs legislation urging World Bank reforms
(November 15, 2005) Legislation to encourage greater transparency and accountability in the World Bank and other international lending institutions has been signed into law by President George W. Bush.
Debt relief: House raises questions over $12.4B supplementary budget
(November 15, 2005) House members that spoke under the condition of anonymity have accused President Obasanjo of breaching the constitution by going ahead to pay the debt even before the approval of the National Assembly.


