This is to all of those of you who stumbled into these erratic ramblings in this dying year. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008! Receive tons and tons of love from the rambler. See you in 2008!
25 December 2007
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008
This is to all of those of you who stumbled into these erratic ramblings in this dying year. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2008! Receive tons and tons of love from the rambler. See you in 2008!
22 December 2007
Welcome China
I welcome the move taken by Bingu wa Mutharika to severe diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favour of the People’s Republic of China as reported by the Nyasa Times. This is an excellent strategic move by the government.
I believe the Malawi/China relationship will be for the good of the local Malawians. A selfless leadership always put the good of the people first before its interest. My applause goes to Mutharika and his cabinet for a very bold decision. I believe that was not an easy decision. Mutharika continues to demonstrate that he is well informed. Believe you me Beijing’s presence will fundamentally alter Malawi’s economic axis.
For many years, the West and its lending institutions significantly contributed to stripping our country of its dignity and rendered the country an international beggar trapped in a vicious circle of debt repayment. The West and its lending institutions perpetrated a wide spread poverty for the locals in our country never seen anywhere in the globe. For a change, in the conclusion of my EU-Africa Trade Deadlock posting I expressed my long standing strong view that Malawi should embrace the trade carrot which China is offering to Africa.
One of the countries that is enjoying a Chinese touch to its economy is Nigeria. Most recently, United States officials announced that China had outstripped the US as Nigeria’s main source of imports!
Tread with China carefully
Although many countries are enjoying the Chinese touch on their economy, extreme care must be taken in any deals with China. Beijing problems range from a poor human rights track record to unethical trade practices. China is unencumbered by rules on improper investment practices. This must be very worrying especially to countries like Malawi where we have just begun developing regulations and policies to govern the country. We can easily be abused by the crafty Chinese government.
Elsewhere local officials in Nigeria are discontented with Beijing’s preference for its own expatriate on capital projects and the alleged dumping of pharmaceuticals, among other exports, in Nigeria.
When it comes to protecting the local Malawian person, we can do well to study the Chinese presence in the neighbouring Zambia where trade unionist suspect Beijing of using Zambia for casual labour, a grumble that follows China in several other African capitals. But who has not abused Africans, if I may ask?
China is also well known for its abysmal treatment of dissidents and minorities. Among others, I have heard and read appalling stories about the Chinese intolerance of the Christian faith.
Nevertheless, with well thrashed deals, my view is that China’s presence in Malawi is for the good of the country.
I believe the Malawi/China relationship will be for the good of the local Malawians. A selfless leadership always put the good of the people first before its interest. My applause goes to Mutharika and his cabinet for a very bold decision. I believe that was not an easy decision. Mutharika continues to demonstrate that he is well informed. Believe you me Beijing’s presence will fundamentally alter Malawi’s economic axis.
For many years, the West and its lending institutions significantly contributed to stripping our country of its dignity and rendered the country an international beggar trapped in a vicious circle of debt repayment. The West and its lending institutions perpetrated a wide spread poverty for the locals in our country never seen anywhere in the globe. For a change, in the conclusion of my EU-Africa Trade Deadlock posting I expressed my long standing strong view that Malawi should embrace the trade carrot which China is offering to Africa.
One of the countries that is enjoying a Chinese touch to its economy is Nigeria. Most recently, United States officials announced that China had outstripped the US as Nigeria’s main source of imports!
Tread with China carefully
Although many countries are enjoying the Chinese touch on their economy, extreme care must be taken in any deals with China. Beijing problems range from a poor human rights track record to unethical trade practices. China is unencumbered by rules on improper investment practices. This must be very worrying especially to countries like Malawi where we have just begun developing regulations and policies to govern the country. We can easily be abused by the crafty Chinese government.
Elsewhere local officials in Nigeria are discontented with Beijing’s preference for its own expatriate on capital projects and the alleged dumping of pharmaceuticals, among other exports, in Nigeria.
When it comes to protecting the local Malawian person, we can do well to study the Chinese presence in the neighbouring Zambia where trade unionist suspect Beijing of using Zambia for casual labour, a grumble that follows China in several other African capitals. But who has not abused Africans, if I may ask?
China is also well known for its abysmal treatment of dissidents and minorities. Among others, I have heard and read appalling stories about the Chinese intolerance of the Christian faith.
Nevertheless, with well thrashed deals, my view is that China’s presence in Malawi is for the good of the country.
13 December 2007
Carols for Wearside
Tonight we were privileged to attend a carol service at a Methodist church less than three minutes walk from our home. The service was organised by churches across Wearside.
The speaker was J John. He is widely regarded as one of the most creative speakers in the UK. He appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
J John in his usual creative ways explained how Christ has been removed from Christmas from so many people in the UK in what he called "Christmas Wrapped". He then went on to explain what Christmas is all about – Christmas Unwrapped.
In this carol service which was evangelist in nature many people responded to the appeal for the gospel including the Mayor of the City of Sunderland together with his wife.
The carols were led by the Sunderland Monkwearmouth Band. We were also treated to two carols from talented soloist Miranda Francis, a vocal coach, from Cleveland School of Music.
If you want to know more about J John visit HERE.
The speaker was J John. He is widely regarded as one of the most creative speakers in the UK. He appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
J John in his usual creative ways explained how Christ has been removed from Christmas from so many people in the UK in what he called "Christmas Wrapped". He then went on to explain what Christmas is all about – Christmas Unwrapped.
In this carol service which was evangelist in nature many people responded to the appeal for the gospel including the Mayor of the City of Sunderland together with his wife.
The carols were led by the Sunderland Monkwearmouth Band. We were also treated to two carols from talented soloist Miranda Francis, a vocal coach, from Cleveland School of Music.
If you want to know more about J John visit HERE.
10 December 2007
EU-Africa Trade Deadlock
EU-Africa summit in Lisbon ended in trade deadlock after what I can describe as very interesting discussions and failed political maneuvers. The aim of the conference was to create mutual trade benefits and cooperation over immigration and peacekeeping between the two continents.
Leaders from Africa and Europe struggled to find common ground for a new strategic partnership at a summit marred by disagreements over future trade ties and how to deal with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
The most interesting to me during the summit is to hear African leaders standing up against their European counterparts on key issues. It is high time that I saw African leaders holding their heads high and spoke for their deprived people.
The EU claimed to use the summit to revitalize trade with the African continent nonetheless significantly failed to push its agenda.
You may be wondering why Europe is panicking to get hold of Africa. It all because of the pressure from China's growing investment and influence in Africa. The EU is Africa's largest commercial partner. Beijing held a summit for African leaders last year, wooing them with multibillion-dollar trade investment contracts without strings attached. EU officials and businessmen fear growing Chinese investment in Africa could displace Europe from the top spot. LET IT BE.
Of course you don’t have to look far to see the EU interest is not necessarily to revitalize trade with Africa but is to ensure that Africa remains in the armpits of Europe. Europeans have been in Africa. For many years Europe had a chance of fair dealing with Africa. The results of European grip on Africa over the many years are self evident – unfair trade practices. What can we say of two neighboring continents through geography but worlds apart in terms of development? I find the differences to be staggering.
Yahoo news reported that African leaders, speaking to reporters at the end of the two-day summit hailed China and fellow Asian economic powerhouse India as economic partners. They enjoyed themselves!
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade took the EU to task for trying to pressurise African countries into signing new trade accords by December 31. A spirited Wade told reporters, "Me, I'm saying no, along with most of the Africans," He chided European investors and aid partners for being slow and bureaucratic. He warned that the EU's insistence on the trade deals risked opening up a serious gulf at a time when China and other emerging giants are courting Africa with multi-billion-dollar investments.
Of interest also to me during the summit were statements released by respectable Europe based charities like Oxfam. Amy Barry, spokeswoman on trade for Oxfam said, "It is astounding that the (European) Commission is prepared to push through such highly inequitable deals that will hurt poor farmers and undermine future development."
Barry added that "Europe must desist from this madness and commit to do all they can to ensure countries are not made poorer by ill-thought out trade deals. They must stop pressuring the remaining countries to sign."
African sensitivity also surfaced over migration. While Europeans called for joint action to stem and control the flow of poor African illegal migrants flocking to their continent, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said this was the consequence of years of Europe's colonial rule in Africa and exploitation of its resources.
I am worry though of the handful of interim trade deals which Europe has signed with some African countries. Nyasa Times reported that Malawi Foreign Affairs Minister, Joyce Banda announced in Lisbon that Malawi is to receive 432 million Euros in aid from the European Union (EU). I don’t know what sort of agreement our minister has committed our country to. I am only hoping that the Malawi government did a thorough homework before the commitment. I am afraid to say that after many years of European aid we don’t have much to show out as a country. May be China may indeed offer us better trade deals.
I will rest my ramble by saying that I am of the view of finding a way for Malawi to trade with China especially at this time when all trade roads are leading to China. Of course the African leaders have to take care that Beijing's multi-billion-dollar aid, trade and investment overtures in Africa with no-strings approach may sidestep necessary safeguards to maintain transparency and avoid corruption and what about the Chinese human rights record?
Leaders from Africa and Europe struggled to find common ground for a new strategic partnership at a summit marred by disagreements over future trade ties and how to deal with Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
The most interesting to me during the summit is to hear African leaders standing up against their European counterparts on key issues. It is high time that I saw African leaders holding their heads high and spoke for their deprived people.
The EU claimed to use the summit to revitalize trade with the African continent nonetheless significantly failed to push its agenda.
You may be wondering why Europe is panicking to get hold of Africa. It all because of the pressure from China's growing investment and influence in Africa. The EU is Africa's largest commercial partner. Beijing held a summit for African leaders last year, wooing them with multibillion-dollar trade investment contracts without strings attached. EU officials and businessmen fear growing Chinese investment in Africa could displace Europe from the top spot. LET IT BE.
Of course you don’t have to look far to see the EU interest is not necessarily to revitalize trade with Africa but is to ensure that Africa remains in the armpits of Europe. Europeans have been in Africa. For many years Europe had a chance of fair dealing with Africa. The results of European grip on Africa over the many years are self evident – unfair trade practices. What can we say of two neighboring continents through geography but worlds apart in terms of development? I find the differences to be staggering.
Yahoo news reported that African leaders, speaking to reporters at the end of the two-day summit hailed China and fellow Asian economic powerhouse India as economic partners. They enjoyed themselves!
Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade took the EU to task for trying to pressurise African countries into signing new trade accords by December 31. A spirited Wade told reporters, "Me, I'm saying no, along with most of the Africans," He chided European investors and aid partners for being slow and bureaucratic. He warned that the EU's insistence on the trade deals risked opening up a serious gulf at a time when China and other emerging giants are courting Africa with multi-billion-dollar investments.
Of interest also to me during the summit were statements released by respectable Europe based charities like Oxfam. Amy Barry, spokeswoman on trade for Oxfam said, "It is astounding that the (European) Commission is prepared to push through such highly inequitable deals that will hurt poor farmers and undermine future development."
Barry added that "Europe must desist from this madness and commit to do all they can to ensure countries are not made poorer by ill-thought out trade deals. They must stop pressuring the remaining countries to sign."
African sensitivity also surfaced over migration. While Europeans called for joint action to stem and control the flow of poor African illegal migrants flocking to their continent, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said this was the consequence of years of Europe's colonial rule in Africa and exploitation of its resources.
I am worry though of the handful of interim trade deals which Europe has signed with some African countries. Nyasa Times reported that Malawi Foreign Affairs Minister, Joyce Banda announced in Lisbon that Malawi is to receive 432 million Euros in aid from the European Union (EU). I don’t know what sort of agreement our minister has committed our country to. I am only hoping that the Malawi government did a thorough homework before the commitment. I am afraid to say that after many years of European aid we don’t have much to show out as a country. May be China may indeed offer us better trade deals.
I will rest my ramble by saying that I am of the view of finding a way for Malawi to trade with China especially at this time when all trade roads are leading to China. Of course the African leaders have to take care that Beijing's multi-billion-dollar aid, trade and investment overtures in Africa with no-strings approach may sidestep necessary safeguards to maintain transparency and avoid corruption and what about the Chinese human rights record?
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