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AllAfrica News: Economy, Business and Finance
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Angola: Coca Cola Has Highest Number of Containers in Port for Clearance
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:18:33 GMT
Coca Cola company, with at least 1.000 containers, is one of the main importers with the highest number of goods to clear from Luanda Port.
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Ghana: U.S.$2.5 Million Gadd Project Launched
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:57 GMT
Recognising the importance of high-quality seeds, fertilisers and crop protection products in raising productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers, the AGRA and IFDC on Tuesday launched the Ghana Agro-Dealer Development (GADD) project, to increase the use of modern agricultural inputs.
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Ghana: Protoa Holds National Congress
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:56 GMT
THE PROGRESSIVE Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) has finally held its much-awaited National Congress in Kumasi, with a call on both drivers and passengers to strictly observe road safety regulations, in order to avoid road accidents, in the run-up to the crucial December 7 elections, and the Christmas festivities.
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Ghana: Privatisation of Water Supply is Dangerous
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:03:37 GMT
The prescription that privatising water supply, the principle on which the government has hang for the past two years, to achieve efficient water flow to the people of Ghana, is a failed effort, says Mr. Adam Alhassan, Southern Coordinator for Coalition Against Privatisation of Water, has called on the government to re-consider its decision to privatise water, because it would not produce the desired results.
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Ghana: Female Cocoa Farmers Cry for Help
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:03:37 GMT
Female cocoa farmers in the Wassa Atobiase, in the Western Region, have appealed to the government to come to their aid, by making credit facilities easier and accessible.
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Ghana: Assin Apimanim Woos African-American Investors
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:03:34 GMT
The Paramount Chief of the Assin Apimanim Traditional Area in the Central Region, Barimah Kwame Nkyi XII, has appealed to African Americans to invest in the area, last Friday, when a host of African Americans joined him to celebrate his 40th Anniversary in grand style, at Assin Manso.
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Africa: Avoiding Another Food Price Bubble
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:59:01 GMT
In another 12 years, 16 million more children could be malnourished at a time when even fewer people will be able to afford staple cereals like maize, rice and wheat, which would cost between 13 percent and 27 percent more. This is the bleak scenario of a world in recessionary mode, with declining investment in food production, painted by a food policy think-tank.
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South Africa: Tough Times Ahead for Matrics
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:10:34 GMT
Job prospects for matrics finishing exams on Wednesday look grim, and there are a few industries offering opportunities.
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Mozambique: Massive Increase in Country's Teledensity
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:21:54 GMT
Mozambique's teledensity (the number of telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants) has jumped from 3.39 in 2004 to 20.6 in 2008, according to the Minister of Transport and Communications, Paulo Zucula.
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Zimbabwe: Do Soldiers' Protests Herald Coup?
Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:20:22 GMT
Zimbabwe is facing widespread protests by discontented soldiers feeling the heat of the country?s collapsing economy. Some analysts are forecasting that continuing army revolts and economic instability could force President Robert Mugabe to share power with the opposition, putting the country's shattered economy on the road to recovery. The rising groundswell of anger within the army over poor salaries and cash shortages poses a serious threat to Mugabe, who has traditionally relied on the loyalty of the army to keep the opposition in check. Dozens of soldiers have been taking to the streets of Harare since November 27, clashing with anti-riot and military police deployed in the city centre to counter the protests. There have been sporadic exchanges of gunfire in the capital as dissident soldiers and military police clash. Army protests hit a crescendo on December 1 when over 100 soldiers, dressed in full military fatigues, emerged from banking halls in the city centre empty-handed after cash had run out due to rationing. They first attacked the Market Square bus terminus in downtown Harare, which is notorious for illegal foreign currency dealings, assaulting foreign currency dealers and seizing cash from them to demand "our money". Then they swept across the city, looting and vandalising shops. The detachment of troops was from Cranborne Barracks and accused the street foreign currency dealers of consorting with the central bank to vandalise the economy. Zimbabwe's bankrupt central bank regularly raises foreign currency from the black market and relies on an informal network of street traders. The riots on December 1 were repulsed by the military police, resulting in the death of "two miscreants", according to the army. Security sources say Zimbabwe's army is seriously considering a curfew and has maintained a heavy deployment of military police in the city centre. "We need to take appropriate measures to counter their actions effectively," said a military spokesman. A pact signed by the military and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono in November set up a scheme where soldiers could access cash weekly from army barracks. However, soldiers say the facility is being abused by top generals, who are making hefty withdrawals daily, leaving the rank-and-file in the army with nothing. Government regulations only permit withdrawals from banks of 500,000 Zimbabwe dollars a day, hardly enough for a single fare on public transport. Military experts are warning the riots are a precursor to mutiny, while pro-government analysts say the disturbances were just a simple case of indiscipline within the ranks. Army sources said the military courts are currently overwhelmed with cases related to indiscipline in the rank-and-file of the army as rebellious troops protest against mounting hardships. The troops on December 1 were also objecting to appalling conditions in the army barracks, where they complain of being forced to subsist on a diet of the staple sadza (a maize meal mush) and beans only. Dozens of anti-riot and military police have taken up positions around the city centre after fresh threats by labour leaders to march to the central bank to demand the complete removal of withdrawal limits, imposed to ration scarce cash supplies. Tensions are mounting as civilians supporting the soldiers' demands join the demonstrations; many hurled rocks at anti-riot and military police troops during the December 1 protests. The scene then was reminiscent of acts of civil disobedience in 1999 in Zimbabwe's capital sparked by food shortages that spread like wildfire through this impoverished nation of 11.8 million people. Zimbabwe, once a breadbasket of southern Africa, is now among the poorest countries in the region, and has been struggling to establish democracy since disputed elections held in March. The bloody rebellion of soldiers could lead to Mugabe?s ousting, warned Harare-based political commentator Ronald Shumba. "It?s a situation becoming rapidly explosive," he said. "This is a sign of a deep-seated problem in the army ? in Mugabe's regime, in fact." An official police spokesman tried to downplay the near mutiny, claiming it was a simple case of "theft and robbery". Some analysts said the protests herald the beginning of the end for Mugabe, 84, who is beginning to lose the support of powerful factions in his own party and the increasingly disaffected army, police and security forces. Mugabe, who has been in power for 28 years, has ruled with fear and patronage. But now a combination of an unprecedented economic collapse and growing opposition within his security forces and the ruling ZANU-PF party present the clearest threats to his rule. There is palpable anger in the police and army over low salaries and the fast-track promotions of ZANU-PF loyalists and veterans of the guerrilla war that ended white rule in 1980, according to a private in the army. "Morale in the army has hit rock bottom," he said. "Everyone is complaining about the increasing hardships. It would seem the majority are blaming President Mugabe himself for causing the hardships. ?They think it?s better for him to share power with the opposition to rescue the economy." He was unwilling to be identified for fear of reprisal.
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