Blogs & Ecology

Ghana Elections blog reports election-related violence in Ghana: “The violence in the run-up to December 7 is unabated as supporters of the two main parties have yet again clashed in the Volta Regional capital Ho.”

The Electoral Commission in Ghana is accused of disqualifying a presidential candidate: “[H]aving failed to successfully filed his nomination forms to contest the December elections, Mr. Dan Lartey, flag-bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), is nursing a plan to drag Ghana's electoral body to court for “deliberately” refusing his nomination.”

Bamboo has long been a material of interest for TreeHugger. And, of course, bicycles are, in the words of Julie Andrews, one of our favourite things. When the two hang out together it is extra exciting and such is the case to learn via Wired that Craig Calfee of Calfee Design has expanded his bamboo/hemp offerings beyond road bikes into mountain bike, and beyond that he has a vision that one day he’ll be able to ‘grow’ his own frames. Another pic and more detail follows.

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Is it appropriate to use colors of Ghana's political parties in social functions?: “The Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Seth Charles Oteng, on Thursday expressed concern about the organisation of social functions under politically coloured atmosphere.”

Latest news about Ghana elections 2008: “Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has stated that he would institute pension scheme for farmers should he be elected president in the forthcoming general elections.”

Land near the Rufiji River in Tanzania has been expropriated from local people for sugar cane cultivation by a Swedish company. Photo: Malangali via flickr.

Image source: author

Black Soap, also known as African Black Soap (Anago Soap, Alata Simena,or Ose Dudu), has long been used to heal problem skin. Its good for thinning fine lines, evening out dark spots, eczema, razor bumps and eliminating blemishes. It is also used to lightly exfoliate and give you healthier looking skin. The soap can also be used on your body or hair or for oily skin, dry skin, skin rashes, scalp irritations, body odors and is good for sensitive skin. There are many other claims to the benefits of black soap, which may be proven/disproven by the user.

Ghanaian internet entrepreneur Eric Osiakwan and the Berkman Center’s Ethan Zuckerman will discuss the climate for innovation around information technology in Sub-Saharan Africa on September 2nd 2008 at the Berkman Luncheon Series, writes Afromusing.

Of all the ways proposed to monitor, slow or stop deforestation around the world this may be a first: Reuters is reporting that Ghana is looking to harvest 14 million cubic meters (494.4 million cubic feet) of timber that was submerged 40 years ago when Lake Volta was formed behind the Akosombo hydroelectric dam.

$4 Billion in Timber Under the Water

Image source: Ruby Red

Ruby Red, maker of organic and natural skin-care products, now offers their lemon organic shea butter. Shea butter does a great job, possibly the best, of really keeping dry, chapped skin nice and soft.

Mobile phones are becoming an important tool for environmental activists around the world. Activists are developing new technological strategies in order to do things like educate consumers about the impact of purchasing decisions, monitor wildlife and polution levels, and advocate for the protection of forests.

White African notes that Nokia's business interest in Africa: “There is a reason that Africans, by and large, love Nokia and there’s a reason that the brand has made such an impact in that part of the world. While most companies around the world are ignoring Africa, Nokia actively develops solutions for the continent.”