May 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm | posted by Nora Coghlan
New statistics from the GSM Association reveal that cell phone usage is taking off across Africa. The GSMA reported that African cell operators added 70-million users in the past year (a growth rate of 33%) and expanded cell phone coverage by an area the size of France. Around 66% of Africa’s population is now reached by a mobile phone signal, up from 62% in 2007. Some African countries, such as Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, already have coverage rates well above 90%.
Cell technology has enabled poor African countries to bypass the messy infrastructure and expensive start-up costs of setting up fixed-line systems. As a result, wireless technology is reaching isolated rural areas where fixed lines were never able to penetrate: while the number of African cell phone users reached 282 million in 2008, there are still only 35 million fixed lines on the continent.
For Africa, these new connections have the potential to reap widespread development benefits. Where roads are bad, fixed lines nonexistent and email rare, cell phones are forging communications links that are vital to economic and social progress. Everyone from farmers to health ministers to market vendors is coming up with innovative ways to harness cell technology. In Kenya, for example, the Kenyan Agricultural Commodity Exchange (KACE) linked up with Safaricom, the country’s largest cell phone company, to help farmers access market prices over their phones. For about 20 cents, farmers can use text messaging to get current prices for goods at markets throughout Kenya, allowing them to reduce transaction costs and bypass middlemen, who often charge below-market rates.
Donors are getting the hint that cell phones can help overcome deficits in Africa’s health infrastructure. PEPFAR, for example, is working with African health ministries and the private sector to set up the Phones for Health program, a $10 million initiative that will allow health workers to use cell phones from the field to input health information to a central database. The program is modeled after TRACnet (http://www.pepfar.gov/pepfar/press/84654.htm), an impressive web-based system in Rwanda that collects and disseminates antiretroviral treatment program reporting, drug shortages and CD-4 tests across the country.
In the long term, coverage and usage must expand significantly if African countries are to realize the full economic potential of cell technology. Evidence indicates that high levels of cell phone usage can fuel economic growth and even attract foreign investment. One widely-cited study found that a developing country with an average of 10 more cell phones per 100 people has 0.59% higher GDP growth than an otherwise identical country. Seizing upon this opportunity will require prioritization by both the international community and African governments, who must continue to combat regulatory bottlenecks that constrain the competitiveness of cell operators across the continent.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:07 pm | posted by Aaron.Banks
President Bush leaves Friday for a week-long trip to Africa. In Rwanda, Benin, Tanzania, Ghana and Liberia, he’ll see the positive impact of the programs ONE members have lobbied for. To make sure the next president is committed to working with Africa to end extreme poverty and disease, we’ve launched a petition to the presidential candidates asking them to pledge to visit Africa in their first term. You can sign it here: http://www.one.org/visitafrica
President Bush starts a victory lap across Africa next week, celebrating his little-noticed but successful fights there against AIDS and malaria. But he also will be running hard to avoid the shadow of a growing number of political crises and controversies in the region.
As Mr. Bush enters his final 12 months in office, advocates are praising his campaign to battle disease and promote economic growth in poor countries, especially in Africa. It has emerged as a bright spot in a foreign-policy legacy marred by controversy over the Iraq war.
Bono, the Irish rock star turned global gadfly, once said that Mr. Bush has done “an incredible job” with his AIDS campaign. As it nears the end of its first five years, it has put 1.4 million people on life-sustaining therapies at a cost to the U.S. of more than $15 billion. The Bono-affiliated ONE campaign broadened its praise last month, saying Mr. Bush deserves credit for his fights against malaria and extreme poverty in the region. The White House hopes the trip will lock in congressional support for his initiatives, particularly as he is seeking a doubling of funding for combating AIDS to $30 billion over the next five years.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:13 pm | posted by Virginia Simmons
We’ve gotten word that President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush will be traveling to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia on a trip to Africa from February 15 - 21. As a ONE member, I’m always encouraged when those leading U.S. foreign policy are able to see how that policy is playing out on the ground.
When the trip starts, I’ll do my best to pass along whatever we hear is happening each day, and our policy folks will help fill in some background information on some of the programs and countries that the president and first lady will be visiting.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:22 pm | posted by Virginia Simmons
During an interview aired on Saturday night, FOX News’ Bret Baier asks the Bushes about the administration’s $30 Billion package for AIDS and malaria programs in Africa.
The short conversation that ensues is about halfway through the clip below. (You’ll need Windows Media Player to watch it and it may take a minute to load.)
I also transcribed some excerpts from both Laura and George Bush.
First Lady Laura Bush:
“Economies depend on a … workforce, people who are in good health. If your workforce [is] sick with malaria half the time it’s very difficult. Or sick with AIDS. So… making people healthy is really helpful also for those African economies that are trying to build a better life for the people in their countries.”
President George W. Bush:
“I think government has a responsibility to protect the American people. It’s just part of an overall strategy to protect us. And the United States has to make up its mind - if it’s going to confront the conditions that cause radicalism and protect ourselves, or retreat and withdrawl and say, ‘well you know it costs too much money, therefor we’re not going to try to help others.’”
On Saturday, December 1st, World Vision, Pioneer High School and The Journey Church sponsored a day to make kits for AIDS caregivers. Hundreds of people showed up to help! We had over a dozen ONE volunteers show up from around the Bay Area. The event started with a continental breakfast followed by a presentation by The Journey Church and World Vision Leaders. We saw a short film about a caregiver and how much she appreciated having a kit to use in her work. I really admire the compassion and selfless acts that caregivers provide their friends, family or neighbors who are sick with HIV/AIDS.
Each of the orange kits includes items like soap, wash cloths, gloves, flashlights and batteries. Every kit is also packed with a personal note from the person who put it together. We helped assemble 1,000 kits that will be sent to a country in Africa. To learn more about World Vision’s Caregiver Kit program and to see about hosting an event of your own go here .
Lori Saltveit – representing ONE Volunteers from the San Francisco Bay Area
The ONE Vote ‘08, South Carolina, Staff finally had an opportunity to meet with presidential hopeful, Governor Mitt Romney. He came to Columbia, SC, to host an open forum event.
We were not afforded an opportunity to ask a question publicly. However, after the event we were able to catch up with the governor. We thanked him for his kind words towards our Campaign across the country.
He responded, “Ah, yes, the ONE Campaign. Great group.”
We also were able to get a photo with Governor Romney. We told him we look forward to his next visit to South Carolina and that he can expect to see us at his future SC stops.
October 18th, 2007 at 3:45 pm | posted by Josh Chernila, ONE Online Communities Coordinator
During this amazing week in Seattle, that our mayor proclaimed as Champions of Global Poverty Week, I was part of many of Stand Up events throughout our region. Here are a few notes from two of my favorites.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am | posted by Josh Chernila, ONE Online Communities Coordinator
Over 200 people Stood Up against global poverty yesterday at the Rockin’ Fish in Chillcothe, Ohio.
Paritioners from church and other churches in the area as well as students from Chillicothe Middle School and Zane Trace High school turned out. Jeremy Siberall, who is running for a City council seat was there and he signed the ONE Declaration. Diane Carnes, City Council member, Rep. Party Head and Mayoral Candidate running against Mayor Joe Sulzer was in attendance as well. They were joined by Mary Elsass, Director of United Way of Ross County, as well as Dr. Ellis Frazier of the Ross County AIDS Task Force.
ONE Chillcothe Group leader Christopher Cooper gave this brief account:
I introduced Mary Elsass and Dr. Frazier Josh sang some more and spoke about the Jubilee Act Jennifer and I passed out the one page info sheets on Jubilee and the take action sheets I read the highlights from last year’s STAND UP Dirk Moore, along with 5 others lead the crowd in the STAND UP declaration I introduced ONE Vote ‘08 We showed the ONE Vote ‘08 video starring Chris Cooper and that Matt Damon and Bono guy, whoever they are : ) LOL Dirk Moore did an acoustic set of Davenporte songs that had everyone on their feet The ceremony was over and ONE Chillicothe musicians continued with an open mic jam session
The crowd was about half White and Black and an equal mix of the religious “affiliated” and “unaffiliated.” Bev said it was beautiful and she’s never seen anything like it among the youth.
All in all, it was another great ONE Chillicothe event. A Christian venue brings in rock bands and gospel groups who cross lines of faith drawn in the sand and do away with the theological sticking points to let the unifying message of ONE bring us all together.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:22 pm | posted by Josh Chernila, ONE Online Communities Coordinator
This October 17, the ONE Campaign is again joining with partners around the world to support the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP). Join us as we “Stand Up and Speak Out”.
The ‘Stand Up and Speak Out’ campaign calls upon people to literally and symbolically do just that - to stand up and speak out - against economic injustices in the world.
The result of the mass mobilisation will be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, which will be announced globally on October 18.
Last year, 23.5 million partook in the action of which 3.6 million took part in Africa; 19 million in Asia; 55000 in Latin America; 520000 in the Middle East; and 900000 in Europe.
Organisers are hopeful that this year’s event will widen the call to action and it is anticipated that a record high of four million people will take part in the action on the African continent.
“As we cross the mid-point to the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, it is clear that urgent action in many countries is needed now more than ever,” said Salil Chetty of the United Nations Millennium Campaign.
ONE Campaign members are already planning events nationwide. Please visit our events page to find a ONE Campaign Stand Up event near you or check here for some guidance on how to host your own.
September 6th, 2007 at 12:20 pm | posted by Virginia Simmons
“We won’t forget about Africa.”
Governor Bill Richardson made this promise at a campaign stop in Florence, South Carolina, yesterday. The presidential hopeful also thanked the ONE Campaign for coming to his event and encouraged members of the audience to speak to us and find out more about ONE, which they did.
Richardson also told the crowd “the ONE Campaign wants to push the idea that America needs to lead the way in so many ways.” He continued to wear the band we gave him for the entire event and proudly showed it to everyone in the room.
His Political Director in South Carolina, James Dukes, also came to the event wearing his white band. We thanked Governor Richardson for supporting ONE and making Africa a focus of his political platform.
The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, volunteers, members and coalition partners.
The content of each post and each comment represent the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ONE Campaign or ONE Action. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any posts expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
Each of the orange kits includes items like soap, wash cloths, gloves, flashlights and batteries. Every kit is also packed with a personal note from the person who put it together. We helped assemble 1,000 kits that will be sent to a country in Africa. To learn more about World Vision’s Caregiver Kit program and to see about hosting an event of your own go 
During this amazing week in Seattle, that our mayor proclaimed as Champions of Global Poverty Week, I was part of many of Stand Up events throughout our region. Here are a few notes from two of my favorites. 
ONE Chillcothe Group leader Christopher Cooper gave this brief account:
