Debates about foreign financing of elections in West Africa is beginning to take the central political stage, as civil groups question the merits of such funding. Take Mali's 2002 elections, for example, which cost about 34 million U.S. dollars. More than a quarter of that amount, or 9 million U.S. dollars, was footed by foreign institutions and countries, according to Abderhamane Niang, an election consultant from Mali. ''Our elections are so expensive that they always drain our resources, but the foreign funding, which we receive for running such elections, undermine our national sovereignty,'' Niang argues.
Each day, an army of unemployed youth combs the streets of Lome to pick up the garbage littering Togo's capital.
Ageing motorcycle taxis, which cover 80 percent of transport needs of Togo, Benin and Niger, produce air pollution, causing health and environmental problems, particularly in the cities.
Ports in Ghana, Togo and Benin have enjoyed a sharp increase in traffic as a result of the army rebellion in Cote d'Ivoire.
Ports in Ghana, Togo and Benin have enjoyed a sharp increase in traffic as a result of the army rebellion in Cote d'Ivoire.
Representatives of army mutineers in Cote d'Ivoire will this week hold direct talks with the government in Lome, the Togolese capital, to discuss their political demands.
Representatives of army mutineers in Cote d'Ivoire will this week hold direct talks with the government in Lome, the Togolese capital, to discuss their political demands.
Female condom, which is still new in much of Africa, offers the best protection against AIDS and allows women to negotiate safe sex, says a campaigner.
Considered risky and unprofitable, Africa's farming community has often been denied access to credit and insurance. But now some financial institutions are offering new hopes to farmers in West Africa.
Urgent action is needed to save West Africa's cotton industry, on which some 10 million people depend, from collapsing, stakeholders and experts have said.