Monthly Archives: November 2011

Hey D’jo, Carpe Diem

Posted on November 24, 2011 by admin

I was just at a meeting with the minister of planning and development, Mabri Toikeusse, who set out the objectives of the government, which include having a “performing educational sector that prioritises an enterprise culture and a spirit of excellence”. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

I fell in love in a hopeful place

Posted on November 23, 2011 by admin

Four years ago I left my former home in Brazzaville for a new life in Abidjan. A year in Brazzaville had been memorable – never the centre of world news, but an intriguing country and it was a great experience … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism | 1 Comment

Banque Mondiale: Télécommunications, Rattraper le temps perdu

Posted on November 18, 2011 by admin

[Ma premiere post en francais – en fait c’etait juste pour partager avec mes amis TIC cette section d’un rapport interessant de la banque mondiale, qui n’est pas encore publie en ligne]. Le secteur des technologies de l’information et de … Continue reading →

Posted in Web | Leave a comment

Making money as a journalist – Ivorian-style

Posted on November 17, 2011 by admin

Perhaps I’ll never tire of the Ivorian press. After a while in the milieu you kind of get to know who is who – and identify the Class A gombo-ists. These are the journalists who work for cash. There’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Journalism | Leave a comment

“I’m richer than you are” #notthebestprematchtalk

Posted on November 14, 2011 by admin

This is the first time I’ve talked about football on this blog, but things don’t look too good going into the African Cup of Nations finals for Ivory Coast. Drogba and co have never won anything, despite regularly going into … Continue reading →

Posted in Sport | Leave a comment

Jingle bells…it’s Tabaski

Posted on November 6, 2011 by admin

Traffic jams, a last minute rush to buy this year’s must-have present and a pre-ponderous amount of red around the big day. No, it’s not Christmas in Abidjan but Tabaski. In the last few days Muslims have been trying to find every … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Leave a comment

Gold mining…

Posted on November 5, 2011 by admin

Sitting on plastic chairs overlooking an artificial lake that stretches to the horizon in the isolated north of Ivory Coast. The well marinated steaks are in plentiful supply, as is the cool but strong beer. Around the table is the ex-boss of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Leave a comment

Ideas for the weekend II

Posted on November 4, 2011 by admin

Here are few more random ideas, some of them related: – create an SMS information service for cocoa farmers (Cacao Kpakatoya), similar to the sorts of things being set-up in other parts of Africa. Why? 700,000 cocoa farmers have almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Economics | Leave a comment