#AfricaWeWant The devil is always in the details & getting it right.

In an article submission to iAfrikan Heather Mavunga explores the AfCFTA - Africa Continental Free Trade Area pros & challenges as the agreements has been ratified by 20+ states to date.

"Negotiating the detailed agreement timeously between nations is critical to ensure a development-oriented, balanced, comprehensive and modern agreement that can foster structural transformation at a granular state level, create jobs across regional economic communities whilst simultaneously reducing poverty. Emmanuel Gamor, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and owner of education consulting group Kanea believes that in keeping with multilateral norms of negotiation, “special-interest technical negotiating groups” may help speed up the overall negotiation."

I had a chance to share the need for multi-stake holder engagement on this relevant agreement: with youthful voices, innovative practices and insight woefully missing from top level engagement on all-fronts. #BetterMustCome

Insightful, nuanced article by Heather Tinotenda Mavunga on AfCFTA

I am a proud product of Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School, one of the top secondary schools in West Africa. After that, there's very little else I'm proud of in the current Ghanaian education sector.

Let's take one metric, of course not the be all end all, but passing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results are a requirement for admission into tertiary institutions/colleges/universities.

Of all the students who took the 2013 WASSCE exam: "...68, 062 students of the 242, 162 candidates had grades between A1-C6 in at least 6 subjects (including English & core Mathematics which are requirements for admission into tertiary institutions)."

 That's only 28.11% of students who sat for the exams passed. Not excelled people, (C's included) passed. That's a failing grade however you look at it.

At this month's Accra Discourse hosted by the World Economic Forum, Global Shapers Accra Hub

Kobby Graham, lecturer at Ashesi University and  Elorm Awittor, lead for Ghana Education Network & organizer of TedXCapeCoastED shared their thoughts with us at September's #Accra Discourse

Fred Deegbe presenting gifts to panelists: Kobby Graham

Participant asking questions

Attendees at the September Accra Discourse

There have been lots of reports on Ebola in Africa lately.

Ebola is a rare but deadly virus that causes bleeding inside and outside the body.

As the virus spreads through the body, it damages the immune system and organs. Ultimately, it causes levels of blood-clotting cells to drop. This leads to severe, uncontrollable bleeding.

The disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever or Ebola virus, kills up to 90% of people who are infected.

There are NO officially recorded cases of ebola/anyone having contracted ebola in Ghana as of today, Monday August 18th, 2014. Trace ebola cases here.

At this month's Accra Discourse, hosted by the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Accra Hub, Joy Seanehia, a researcher at Noguchi and Kobby Blay, of Ghana Health Nest debunked myths and misinformation surrounding ebola reporting in Ghana.

Yawa, moderator, with Kobby & Joy as panelists

Attendants asking questions

Shared experiences of recent international flyers into Kotoka International Airport

Packed House at monthly Accra Discourse

Kumasi & Accra Hub members with Africa Hubs Community Manager Chidiogo Akunyili

Attendees deliberating after the panel discussion