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1.	Ghana: Blending traditional institutions into government
	Author: Commentary, Kofi Akosah-Sarpong	Date Written: 14 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: The African Executive
	Secondary Category: -none-	Source URL: http://www.africanexecutive.com
	Key Words: Ghana, traditional institutions, government,
	Summary & Comment: The newly formed Democratic Freedom Party suggests that traditional chieftaincy institutions be incorporated into the local government system. The challenge is how to empower communities though their traditional institutions via local governance and decentralization as fodder for development fodder. DN
2.	Nigeria: The sin of British Airways
	Author: Jerry Uwah, Abuja	Date Written: 13 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: Leadership, Abuja
	Secondary Category: Human Rights	Source URL: http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/
	Key Words: Nigeria, human rights, air passengers
	Summary & Comment: News on the recent abysmal treatment of Nigerian passengers aboard British Airways has made the rounds in Nigeria and the UK and prompted various reactions. While it is easy to identify multiple lessons from this paper, the author stresses the need to codify air passengers’ rights and get them passed into law by Nigeria’s National Assembly. DN
3.	Liberia: Women want certain actions taken
	Author: The Inquirer, Monrovia	Date Written: 12 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: The Inquirer
	Secondary Category: Gender	Source URL: http://www.theinquirer.com.lr/
	Key Words: Liberia, gender, women, conference, finance
	Summary & Comment: Even in Liberia where a woman is president, many women feel they do not have adequate access to the means of production. During a recent conference organised by the Ministry of Gender, women called for enhanced capacities in education, financial services, and business. JM
4.	Mauritania: Between Islamism and terrorism
	Author: Armelle Choplin	Date Written: 12 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: Pambazuka News 370
	Secondary Category: Interfaith Relations	Source URL: http://www.pambazuka.org
	Key Words: Mauritania, Maghreb, links,Islam, terrorism.
	Summary & Comment: In this paper the author raises key points that explain the current sequence of events and debunks the links between Islam and terrorism. The extensive complexity of the situation in Mauritania is well known. DN
5.	Liberia: Is our police force ready to fight crime?
	Author: Editorial, Abdoulaye W. Dukule	Date Written: 9 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: The Analyst, Liberia
	Secondary Category: Human Rights	Source URL: http://www.analystliberia.com/
	Key Words: Liberia, human rights, criminality, police, working condition
	Summary & Comment: Because of the country’s recent history of conflict and despite rising criminality there is fear in certain quarters about arming the police. This paper describes the working condition of Liberia’s police force and argues that adequate logistics are indispensable for an apt police force. JM
6.	Women and the 2008 Ghana elections
	Author: Mawuli Dake	Date Written: 8 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: Pambazuka News 369
	Secondary Category: Gender	Source URL: http://www.pambazuka.org
	Key Words: Ghana, elections, women,
	Summary & Comment: The 2008 elections in Ghana will significantly exclude women. This article highlights choices Ghanaians have and asks what can and must do to ensure fair and reasonable participation and representation of all. The author argues that societies are not committed to democracy and equality as long as some groups are marginalized and women are not inclu . . . [expand]
7.	Ghana: Fetish priest on the offensive, pastors on defensive
	Author: Interview, Accra	Date Written: 7 May 2008
	Primary Category: Western Region	Document Origin: Daily Guide
	Secondary Category: Interfaith Relations	Source URL: http://dailyguideghana.com
	Key Words: Ghana, interfaith relations, Kwaku Bonsam, Christianity, priest
	Summary & Comment: Funny, but full of meaning, this paper displays Christianity in Africa as it is now and as it once was. A fetish priest in Ghana is challenging pastors to a dwell of spiritual powers and show the difference between real clergy and quacks. Are our values eroding or is this what normally happens? JM

News from Additional Sources

IPS Inter Press Service - West Africa

1. Q&A: "Literally, This Is Energy From Dirt"
   ACCRA, May 10 (IPS) - You've heard of solar power, and also wind power. Now, you might start hearing about soil power as well.
2. DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: "Political Will" Needed To Address Food Crisis
   NAIROBI, May 9 (IPS) - The need to give agriculture top billing on governmental "to do" lists has been highlighted at a telephone briefing to discuss the current food crisis as it affects Africa.
3. ENERGY-AFRICA: From Kerosene to the LED, O-HUB and O-BOX
   ACCRA, May 8 (IPS) - In many of Africa's towns and villages, smoky kerosene lamps are all that keeps the darkness at bay after sunset. However, kerosene is a dangerous and increasingly expensive source of light for Africans who do not have access to electricity -- about three-quarters of those living on the continent, according to the World Bank.
4. HEALTH-SOUTH AFRICA: Where Have the Piglets Gone?
   JOHANNESBURG, Apr 29 (IPS) - Each psychiatric patient leaving Tower Hospital in the Eastern Cape Province under a new project to integrate patients into the community is sent home with two piglets. While at the hospital, patients are trained to raise pigs, the hope being that they will use the piglets for breeding to develop a sustainable source of income once discharged.
5. AFRICA: Agricultural Extension Work Both Important and Under-valued
   NAIROBI, Apr 27 (IPS) - At a time of international concern about the future of the world's food supply, it's a comment that gives pause for thought: "I teach university students agriculture and extension but many of them opt for other professions, especially in ICTs, because agriculture is 'for those who haven't gone to school'."