The first goal in sports is having fun, writes Alvin Ma, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from  Canada. But how well recreation centres make newcomers – and those from other cultures – welcome has a big impact on participation. “It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A” goes the refrain of the famous Village People disco song. …

"Drop-in ball hockey and participation at the YMCA" Read More »

With election day looming, Angelique Pouponneau, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, questions the rules about eligibility to run for office and speaks with youth who have stepped into the political arena. In some countries, the only eligibility requirement to run for election as a member of parliament is to be aged 35. They do …

“Not too young to run for office” Read More »

Legislation setting the voting age creates a conflict for potential voters, writes Angelique Pouponneau, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, who argues the rules should make more effort to enfranchise interested youth. It happens in nightclubs all the time: “ID please,” says the bouncer. If you are below the age of 18 you should …

“The disenfranchisement of youth” Read More »

The news media has a vital role as both a conduit and a filter of the news, writes Ibrahim Olalekan, 27, a Correspondent from Abuja in Nigeria, who argues the news media must exercise responsibility and standards in fulfilling that role. McQuail (2005) says that the term “gatekeeping” has been widely used as a metaphor to describe …

“Gate keeping in the Nigerian media” Read More »

Millions of Ghanaians turned out on December 7 to elect a new set of parliamentarians and a president who would govern the country for the next four years. Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, cast his ballot and reflects on the positive experience of a well-run national election.  As a first-time voter, …

“Ghanaians have a lot to make them proud” Read More »

The media plays an instrumental role in any democracy, and as such the freedom of the media is perhaps one of the most visible indicators of a functioning democracy, writes Victor Ndede, 21, a Correspondent from Eldoret, Kenya, as he examines the fundamental role of the media in the electoral process. One of the greatest …

“Media’s role in an electioneering period” Read More »

It has been a long struggle to give women a voice, writes Judith Akoth, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya. Although it has been an uphill journey to ensure that women enjoy equal opportunities in leadership, education and income, she questions the concept and results of legislation aimed at electing women. In all these …

“Women can earn elected leadership by merit” Read More »

Technology is booming, but is not equally available to all citizens. Musa Temidayo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, looks at bold new technology that connects people to services, increases accountability and manages scarce resources. The ubiquitous existence of technology, in my opinion, has a potential to fundamentally transform the delivery of public services in …

“Looking at technology to boost governance” Read More »

Politics in African countries are based on tribalism, writes Paul Odhiambo, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya, who argues for adherence to democratic practice. In moving toward general elections in Africa, leaders from different tribes come together to form coalitions or parties based on tribalism but not ideologies. They often convince citizens that their …

“Will bad politics end in African countries?” Read More »

A prolonged election process created a state of tension for Kenya. Sunday Memba, 21, a Correspondent from Matete in Kenya, examines the core of the problem and suggests how to move forward. Chinua Achebe, the eminent African writer and critic, stated the problem on page one of his 1984 book, “The Trouble with Nigeria”. “The trouble …

“Examining the trouble with Kenya” Read More »