China's gold rush: firms exploiting Ghanaian resources

Foreigners prospecting for gold isn't new in Ghana. But a new wave of Chinese companies appear to be exploiting the country's resources: more and more of them are becoming involved in the shadowy world of clandestine gold mines, that skirt mining regulations in Ghana. Some farmers have lost their farm lands to Chinese mineral exploitation, without any compensation.

FOCUS

30/05/2013 - FRANCE

France's great and good caught up in potential corruption scandal

Another arrest has been made in the so-called "Tapie Affair" that's been making headlines in France. First, IMF chief Christine Lagarde was questioned by police officers as a witness over a €400 million compenation package paid to French tycoon Bernard Tapie. Now Pierre Estoup - a judge on the arbitration panel who made the award to Tapie - is facing accusations of fraud, after it emerged he and Tapie are long-standing friends.

30/05/2013 - SYRIAN CONFLICT

Israel strikes Hezbollah following Damascus raid

When Israel bombed "stocks of weapons" in Damascus destined for Hezbollah, it risked retaliation from the Shiite armed group. Now embroiled in the Syrian conflict, Hezbollah has not yet responded. But the Jewish state has intensified its violations of Lebanese airspace and carried out an increased number of simulated attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. Tension in the area is particularly high, as our reporters found out.

29/05/2013 - SYRIA

Syrian arms race: Russia vs the West

On Monday, the 27 member states of the EU agreed to lift the arms embargo in place against Syria. From August 1st, the EU will be able to supply the rebels with weapons, in order to help them in their two year-long battle to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. But many questions remain, such as how to ensure the weapons do not end up in the wrong hands.

29/05/2013 - AFGHANISTAN

Afghan youths seek a better life... in Iran

With the departure of foreign troops next year, more and more Afghans are fleeing their country. They fear for their jobs after the pull-out; unemployment is already running at 40%. Many also fear a return of the Taliban. People are applying for visas in all foreign embassies, with the most solicited being the Iranian one. Iran shares a language and culture with Afghanistan, yet it's not easy for Afghans to move there. Those who manage it are often expelled and sent home.

28/05/2013 - AFRICA

African Union accuses ICC of racism

The head of the African Union, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, has accused the International Criminal Court of "race-hunting". It's not the first time the The Hague-based institution has been accused of only prosecuting defendants from the African continent. However the ICC argues that the highest proportion of member states are based there, and that they are the ones who have instigated proceedings.

React to the article

(5) Reactions

What can we do?

by Anonyme - 30/06/2011 - 17:55

It's sad to know this but what can we do about it?

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Anglogold Ashanti is doing the same

by Anonyme - 28/06/2011 - 20:12

Even the Wall street companies are doing the same. greed is killing the poor.

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GHANAIANS WHAT DO WE SAY

by Anonyme - 21/06/2011 - 21:13

GHANAIANS WHAT DO WE SAY ABOUT THIS....YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME

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Wake up Africa!

by Anonyme - 21/06/2011 - 01:36

we were mining Gold when the Portuguese came to our coast in 1492? and now we are told we can't mine our own Gold? we need foreigners to mine our Gold?...