Webchat

An Online-discussion with Ned McMahon on “Obama and Africa”

On March 18, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Lomé invited fifteen journalists, students and researchers to participate in an online discussion with Dr. Ned McMahon. The topic of the web chat was “President Obama and Africa”. The online conference enabled Africa-based participants, including Togolese citizens, to ask questions concerning the future of the U.S. relationship with countries in Africa under President Obama’s administration.

The questions asked by Togolese participants related to the African priorities of the new administration.  Specifically, participants sought information on the donations and other funds granted by the U.S. Government to Africa, crisis resolution, the future of the PEPFAR (President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief) as well as U.S. contributions to the Global Fund, and programs promoting democracy and peaceful democratic processes in Africa.

Mr. Ned McMahon is a senior research associate at Freedom House and an associate research professor in the Department of Community Development and Applied Economics at the University of Vermont.