Truth and the Human Spirit in Africa

Some very interesting articles online about Africa these days--surprisingly supportive.

The first is an article in on Truth Dig by Joe Conason about Ebola, minuscule US foreign aid (despite perceptions otherwise) and scientific research. It argues for more understanding by Americans of how little we give to the developing world and how a increased level of support for health care and research in the developing world is the right thing for everyone.  

The second is an inspirational article in the New York Times about nurses and workers in Sierra Leone who have stayed to fight and support the efforts to control the Ebola outbreak. The article is a testament to the human spirit and a people dedicated to the rebuilding of a nation despite so much hardship and turmoil. Please take the time to read it.

   

Great charts and data sources on Africa

The Washington Post has some great charts and breakdowns of the African Leaders Summit in D.C. They discuss who was invited and not invited and the political identification of the countries--democratic, autocratic.

What I would love to see, but have not found yet, is a similar set of maps and charts that talks about GDP, Market Capitalization, what do the capital markets look like, does a commodities market exist, real economic data for each of the attendee nations. That data is certainly available through the IMF, World Bank and World Federation of Exchanges. I would like to see it also in the Washington Post or better yet the LA Times!! LA, I love you, but you spend so much time looking at your navel. You really do.

People in the states very much want to talk about Ebola right now. I do not think that is bad for Africa. In a perverse way this has focused Americans, once again, on how connected we are--only a plane ride away.  

The news reports and information regarding the Summit has actually been really good. I am finding new blogs and information sources. Rock on, Oooooobama! You go be a politician and create a legacy for yourself and the Democratic Party. Hopefully, there will be some collateral economic benefit for Africa from this political performance.