Ahafo Mine at Kenyasi, in Asutifi District. (Photo: Ghana’s Mining Portal)

Three months after the announcement of an increase in corporate tax for mining companies from 25 to 35 percent in Ghana, the raise is yet to be implemented. The tax may not be collected until 2013, according to TV3 television channel. “The attitude of government gives reasons to believe that it will yield to pressures from the industry,” wrote Alhassan Atta-Quayson, expert of Third World Network-Africa (TWN-A).

A slum in Nairobi, Kenia. (Photo: khym54/Flickr/CC)

In spite of international commitments, 1,600 million people all over the world are living in deficient housing, and in the developing South 828 million lack adequate water and sanitation services. In the Social Watch Report 2012, experts warn that these problems are aggravated by inequalities between and within countries, privatization, the disappearance of communal property, migration, forced eviction, land speculation and climate change.  

President Sata talks to new Inpector General of Police Stella Libongan. (Photo: Thomas Nsama/State House)

Women for Change (WfC, focal point of Social Watch) and the Non Governmental Organizations Coordinating Committee (NGOCC) hailed the appointment of Ms Stellah Libongani as Inspector-General of Police.

Photo: Tunis-Afrique Press

The situation of media in post-Revolution Tunisia and ways to promote it were discussed at a meeting attended by National Constituent Assembly (NCA) members, representatives of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the National Independent Council for Information and Communication and the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH, member of the Social Watch national coalition).

Photo: gromgull/Flickr/CC

Penang-based Consumers Association of Penang has urged the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism ministry to immediately enforce the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2010 on eateries charging excessively for plain water.