The Good News

Some of the Good Things going on in Africa that we may not be aware of:

• Africa's economies grew by more than 5 percent last year - their biggest expansion in eight years. Central Africa's oil boom spurred 14.4 percent growth for that region.
• Ghana's stock exchange is regularly one of the highest-performing markets in the world; in 2003, it was No. 1, gaining 144 percent, according to one analysis.
• Exports to the US from 37 African nations jumped 88 percent last year, to $26.6 billion. Jeans made in Lesotho are sold in US stores. Also, flowers from Kenya and vegetables from Senegal are regularly available in European shops.
• Use of cellphones and the Internet is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else, according to the United Nations.

These and other statistics are getting more focus amid efforts to boost Africa's image - along with the world's willingness to the public posturing over embryonic stem-cell research, on both sides of the debate, will not end anytime soon.

While I can't consider increased cell-phone usage as a viable "Good Thing," particularly when weighed against the continuing struggles in Darfur, Congo, Ethiopia, and beyond, the increase of economic prowess is a notable improvement, and will help to build aid efforts. The AIDS pandemic is only increasing, and both internally and externally the efforts to combat it are insufficient. The Good News of growth and development in Africa must be used as a political tool to garner more assistence and investment to foster growth and developement.