All in the Family

Previous posts on this blog have discussed the importance of diversifying the economy in Gabon. With Gabon's main source of production being oil, employment opportunities in Gabon are limited. Keeping this in mind, entrepreneurship seems like a good idea for many Gabonese residents. A family in Gabon must share this same sentiment, as they are creating their own employment opportunity and inspiring others in the process.

Located in Gabon's capital of Libreville, is a hair salon known as The Fingers of Gold. While there may be numerous hair salons in the capital, this salon is unique because it is centered around family. The owner of the salon is a man known as Mr. Time with four children, ages 17, 15, 14, and 11. Mr. Time incorporates his children into the hair salon, passing on to them the special skill of doing hair. Not only is working in the hair salon giving the children the opportunity to learn the trade of doing hair and developing entrepreneurial skills, but they're also earning money to pay for important expenses. For example, the eleven year old son of Mr. Time, Chamfort, expressed that working in the salon helps him earn the money he needs to pay for his school supplies. 

The family also seems to be an inspiration to the clients they serve. One client praised the talents of the children in an interview about the family-owned salon, and further added that it is a pleasure to tell locals about the children. With this being said, the family is definitely a value added to their community. 

While the thought of running a family operated hair salon may not seem very unique to some, it is imperative that Gabonese people take the initiative to engage in their own trades to earn a living, and pass it on to their families. Entrepreneurship has a special value in countries such as Gabon where people are learning to expand their opportunities in a one sided economy. Mr. Time's family-owned salon is one example of how Gabonese people can use their special skills and create opportunities for themselves that can be passed down to their children. This family also leads as an inspiration to their community, showing that it is possible to innovate and become self-sufficient. 

Interview with hairdressing family
Video Source: Africanews

Source(s):

Gabon News : "Gabon: Meet Libreville's hairdressing family".  11 November 2016.
http://www.africanews.com/2016/11/12/gabon-meet-libreville-s-hairdressing-family/

Tackling Cancer in Gabon

In recent years, the country of Gabon has experienced an increase of cancer cases. The recent surge comes mainly as a result of new lifestyle changes. In order to deal with this issue, Gabon must think about how they will restructure their health system, as well as new initiatives to aid with the recent cancer cases.

First lady, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba (centre), pictured with
Gabonese women at event to promote foundation.
Photo Credit: Daisy Fletcher,  Independent 

One initiative currently working to offer some support is the Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Foundation for the Family. This foundation was created by Gabon's first lady, Sylvia Ondimba, as the name suggests. The foundation focuses on treating breast and cervical cancer, which are two of the most common forms of cancer found in Gabon. In addition, the foundation also has a focus on reducing child mortality.

Part of the way the foundation aims to assist with cancer is by providing support for patients, as well as raising awareness. According to the foundation's November newsletter, the organization recently opened a Cancer Institute known as the Alice House. The Alice House offers residency to cancer patients and their loved ones while they receive treatments. The foundation has also provided mobile units, easily allowing for Gabonese residents to receive cancer screenings.

These type of initiatives are important when it comes to helping residents spot early detection of cancer, as well as providing a support system for patients. Organizations such as Sylvia Ondimba's foundation are vital mechanisms in transforming Gabon's healthcare system for the better. As the organization becomes more efficient, it will possibly be able to focus on more diseases and maximize the foundation's benefit for Gabonese residents. This initiative is just one minor example of how Gabon is expanding and improving their healthcare system.


If you're interested in how the Alice House looks, here is a video of one of its residents giving a tour of the house.

                                                       


Fletcher,  Daisy. "Lessons from Gabon's Fight Against Cancer". 28 October, 2016.
http://www.independent.co.uk/happylist/lessons-from-gabon-s-fight-against-cancer-a7385826.html

Sylvia Ondimba Bongo Foundation for the Family Newsletter. http://www.fondationsbo.org/en/.

Video Credit: Sylvia Ondimba Bongo Foundation for the Family: http://www.fondationsbo.org/videos/la-maison-dalice-t%C3%A9moignages.

Precious Minerals

Gabon has a range of natural resources including oil and minerals. This is one of the main reasons the country is among the most economically prosperous in Africa. However, as I mentioned in my last blog posting, the country still faces a disparity in income between the rich and poor as the main source of production is oil. This is why the country has made plans to "diversify" their economy and create new job prospects outside of the oil industry. A new project concentrated in Gabon will help further the initiatives to do this.

There is a graphite company known as Metals of Africa, headquartered in Australia. The company's main objective is to supply lithium-ion for the battery market. The company is currently involved in a few projects to find minerals for conversion with one of their projects being the Kroussou Zinc Project, which focuses on drilling for minerals in the country of Gabon. Metals of Africa has a plan of how to retrieve the minerals, but with no one to invest in the project alongside the company, the project hasn't had much movement. The project is about to gain some momentum though, as Metals of Africa announced that Zambezi Resources Ltd., (a mineral exploration company)  will invest in advancing the Kroussou Zinc Project. With Metals of Africa and Zambezi Resources partnered up, the two companies will begin to do some exploration on mineral sources in Gabon and focus on supplying the minerals to the battery market. 

This project at the face may sound like it will do little to nothing in benefiting the residents of Gabon. However, to see the possible benefits of a project such as this, we must look at it from a long term view. As I've stated previously, Gabon is seeking to diversify its economy; the Kroussou Zinc project will create a mining industry for the country. This will help move the country from using oil as its' main source of production. If Metals of Africa is able to prove that there is a profit in their Kroussou Project, this will create new job prospects for the residents of Gabon in the mining industry. As a complement to this, Gabon opened a mining school in the summer of this year. This will make it easier for residents to obtain the training they need for a career in the mining industry. Furthermore, this project will also create initiatives to develop the infrastructure in Gabon. If investors see that the Kroussou Project has earning potential, they will be willing to invest in the infrastructure of the country in order to transport the material.

The Moanda School of Mining and Metallurgy
in South-East Gabon.
School Opened in June 2016
(Photo credit:  Mining Review Africa)

Endeavors such as the Kroussou Project will create long term benefits for the country of Gabon when it comes to diversifying the economy, creating new job prospects, and developing the infrastructure. These types of projects are needed for the people of Gabon in order to give them new education and career opportunities. The Kroussou Project has the potential to persuade other investors to invest in Gabon as well, which will pave the way for the people of Gabon to achieve a higher standard of living. The economy in Gabon is certainly on the move, and it's only a matter of time before it begins to work for the people of Gabon. The Kroussou Project is just one example of the many prospects that will be entering the country in the near future, and further put Gabon on the map.




If you're curious of how mineral sources look and how they are extracted, here is a short clip credited to Metals of Africa Ltd. showing one of the mineral sources in Gabon.

Swanepoel, Esmarie. "Metals of Africa finds partner for Gabon Project". Creamer Media's Mining Weekly. 2 Nov, 2016. http://www.miningweekly.com/article/metals-of-africa-finds-partner-for-kroussou-2016.

Mining Review Africa. "New Mining School to boost Gabon Manganese refinery performance". 15 June, 2016.
https://www.miningreview.com/news/new-mining-school-boost-gabon-manganese-refinery-performance/.

Metals of Africa Ltd. "Dikaki Lead-Zinc Prospect". Online Video Clip. YouTube. 9 March, 2015.         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF086uj05u4.

Economic Diversification in Gabon

Gabon is one of the most economically developed countries in Africa. Yet, there is still a major disparity in income among its residents. This is mainly due to the fact that Gabon's main source of production is oil. When a country has mainly one source of production, the economy isn't very stable because the economy fluctuates, so demand for their good will constantly go up and down. This is why economic diversification is a key factor to maintaining a country's economic stability. President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba understands the importance of  diversification and this is why he has new plans to expand the economy into other sectors outside of oil production.

President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba

President Ondimba recently discussed some of his initiatives to expand the economy of Gabon with Oxford Business Group. He mentions in his interview a current program his administration has created to close the gap between the wealthy and poor called "Achieving Agricultural Outcomes with Engaged Citizenry". The purpose of this program is to provide land grants to residents. Allowing for more people to obtain land will be an effective way for more residents to earn a living from farming. Aside from this program, the country is also working to boost tourism. Additionally, Gabon is working on getting more international investors to do business in the country.

The new strives that President Ondimba are making to close the gap between the wealthy and the poor will surely make a difference in allowing low income residents of Gabon to improve their lifestyles. The oil industry in Gabon is dominated by the wealthy. However, by introducing new programs such as the "Achieving Agricultural Outcomes", more residents will have the opportunity to contribute to the economy and earn a decent living. One of most vital pieces of any economy is an investment in human capital. Initiatives such as this are certainly an investment in the people of Gabon, and it will make all the different for the residents of Gabon and the country as a whole. Expanding tourism will also be a new form of job creation for Gabonese people, as more more residents can take jobs as tour guides, etc. Not to mention that expanded tourism will also create a larger demand for hotels and resorts within the country. Lastly, working on international investment is a strategic way to diversify the economy as more countries will be willing to loan the capital needed to create new opportunities. 

Gabon is already making progress in improving their economy just by even planning ways to diversify their economy. With the combination of economic diversification and investing in its human capital, the country's wealth will improve and offer a higher standard of living for more residents and a better quality life. 

Source(s):

Oxford Business Group. "Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon, on economic reform and diversification". 26 August 2016.
http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/views/ali-bongo-ondimba-president-gabon-economic-reform-and-diversification.

GETTING TO KNOW THE COUNTRY OF GABON

The country of Gabon does not come to most minds when one thinks of Africa. People usually think about commonly known African countries such as Nigeria or Egypt. Despite the unpopularity of Gabon, it is one of the Africa's most economically developed countries and new initiatives are being created to increase investment, so it is definitely an African country to look out for. Here is a brief synopsis of the country. 

GEOGRAPHY, ETHNIC GROUPS, AND LANGUAGE
Gabon is located in Central Africa between Equatorial Guinea and Republic of Congo. The country is comprised of over 40 ethnic groups, with the Fang and Nzebi being the largest. Most Gabonese ethnic groups stem from Bantu origin. The official language for the country of Gabon is French, but in recent years the country has contemplated changing its official language to English due to disputes with France.

Fang Ethnic Group
(one of major ethnic groups in Gabon)

POLITICS
The political system of Gabon can be viewed as a republic in which a President is elected, who then appoints a Prime Minister. The legislative branch of Gabon consists of a Parliament. The Parliament has two chambers:  The National Assembly and Senate, where each chamber is responsible for creating and passing laws on a national and state level.  The rule of law is based on the Gabonese Constitution established in the 1990's. The Supreme Court in Gabon is responsible for upholding this rule of law. The current President of Gabon, Ali Bongo is son of Omar Bongo, who was president from 1967 to his death in 2009. After Omar Bongo's death, Ali Bongo was elected.

STANDARD OF LIVING
Though Gabon is one of the most economically developed countries in Africa, income is not proportionately distributed and many find themselves in poverty. Despite this, the standard of living for regular Gabonese people is improving as the President takes on new initiatives to decrease unemployment by offering incentives for more investors to enter into the country.

RELIGION & CULTURE
The major religion in Gabon is Christianity, yet there are small percentages of people that practice other religions. The Gabonese people are highly spiritual and a lot of their traditions are centered around religion. In addition, the Gabonese are very artistic and are known for their mask making. To get an up close view of Gabonese art, there is a virtual museum of traditional arts for Gabon which you can view here:  http://www.gabonart.com/visites-virtuelles/carnet-de-voyage.

Gabonese Mask created by Fang people
representing harvest time. 

To get a better sense of the people that make up the country of Gabon, here are couple of more links to a traditional Gabonese dance and a recipe for Gabonese Mustard Chicken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAdSJwtQlxs

http://thehungarybuddha.com/2013/03/cheater-cheater-french-food-eater-gabons-mustard-chicken-and-cucumber-salad/

Sources:
CIA World Fact Book: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gb.html
BBC News "Gabon Country Profile". 27 September 2016.