Orgaganizational Background II

Organizational Background

Formed in December 2004 as a 501C(3) non-profit organization based in Colorado and governed under Colorado state and the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) laws, Africa Agenda’s mission is to enhance positive images of African through engagement with the community, mass media outlets, leaders and lay people. Africa Agenda consists of a full-time Chief Executive Officer, George Bamu,M.B.A, and an advisory board of twelve

Bamu is not only the CEO of Africa Agenda, he a native of Cameroon, a journalist and a writer as well as an IT specialist. His experiences span more than seventeen (17) years as an educator, a member of the media and a champion of democracy, cutting edge information technology in Cameroon and the United States respectively. Bamu is highly successful at mobilizing the community and utilizing the media to engage citizens in confronting the development challenges of African nations.

Since March 2005, Africa Agenda has conducted nearly one hundred (100) breakthrough Africa related forums and events around the Denver metro area. During this time, our organization has not only partnered and worked with over twenty (20) other organizations and communities; our activities have placed increasing focus on the significant role that a vibrant Africa can play in the world today.

In 2008, we held the Zimbabwe Talk as well as the Kenya Media and Citizens Dialogue, organized in the aftermath of elections violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Participation and comments from the public about the role of Africa Agenda in community conflict mediation-reconciliation remain resounding.

Recently, we have worked with the Peace JAM Foundation, Rocky Mountain PBS TV, Denver Film Society, the City of Aurora, the Community College of Aurora, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, East Africa Community Center in Greeley, the University of Colorado in Boulder, Liberty Day, Metro State College of Denver, the Denver Presbytery, Smoky Hill High School, Project CURE among many others. These relationships have proved fruitful in forging stability and development in Africa.

Specifically, in May 2009, we launched the Cameroon Information and Education Project (CIEP), to help bridge the knowledge and information gap about Cameroon. As part of the CIEP, we invited leaders from the Cameroonian embassy in Washington DC and the local community to discuss the future of Cameroon. In just four months, the CIEP has distributed over 500 free-pocket-size copies of the revised Cameroon Constitution. The booklets include the April 2008 constitutional amendments made by the administration. Today, the demand for more Cameroon constitution booklets is overwhelming our organization.

In July 2009 we organized Obama, Ghana and John Atta Mills in response to President Obama’s visit to Ghana. This was a historic event for the Ghanaian nation and for Africa Agenda as well. For one thing, the discussions led to a recommendation for Africans to take ownership of the affairs of Africa and not remain as bystanders. We are now working to translate these recommendations into actions.

In less than five years, Africa Agenda has not only established a uniqueness about what we do; we have distinguished ourselves as a driven, focused and determined organization. We have done this by sitting at the forefront of the global dynamics confronting Africa today

With over two hundred (200) active supporters and a mailing list of one thousand, five-hundred (1,500), Africa Agenda is poised to leverage its resources for the benefit of the African continent.

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TODAY'S AFRICA

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“Today’s Africa is clearly different from the Africa of the early 1990’s, when it was coming out of the declines after the first two oil price shocks, the debt problems, and stagnation of the adjustments years. Thanks to the recent acceleration of growth, there is a higher economic base to work with”

“Africa today enjoys better economic prospects because its leaders have undertaken major reforms during the past 10 years and are taking increasing control of their economic destiny”

“African governments are making regional initiatives in conflict resolution and are taking action to improve governance under the African Union and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)”

The World Bank’s Country Performance and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) score is a broad measure of policy and institutional performance. With regard to Africa they have used 16 items to measure performance based on economic management, structural policies, policies for social inclusion and equity and public sector management and institutions.

In 2005 the CPIA score for African countries was 2.8. By 2006, it was 3.2

According to the World Bank, countries with CPIA scores of greater than or equal to 3.5 by 2006 tend to have higher growth and lower inflation than those with lower than 3.5. Only exception is Zimbabwe.

Sign of the Times in Africa

In 2008, the Probability for conflict has declined in many African Nations from 17 to 6.

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Reduced Inflation

From 1980’s to 2008- About 10 countries experienced hyper inflation at various points in time

Now, Inflation in Africa has come down since 1995. Inflation has fallen below 10% since 2002, except in Zimbabwe

Number of countries that have kept inflation below 10% a year Increased from 11 to 30 countries