In this issue, we report on the findings of the Ibrahim Foundation’s research that shows that things are getting better but there’s still a long way to go in governance standards in Africa in Africa’s Governance Challenge. Africa's businesses are most in need of high quality middle and lower level managers with the skills and knowledge to drive development is the key message from a report, The Missing Middle: Developing Africa's Managers.

In Africa's Mobile Boom we highlight a report on Sub-Saharan Africa's mobile industry that shows it has been the fastest growing region in the world for mobile users in the past five years.

In our Diaspora section, we report on the historic award of the prestigious International Maritime Prize to a Ghanaian in London, Dr Thomas Mensah, and its recognition of his contribution to international environmental law and maritime affairs in Making Maritime History. In Change the Story Donia Narh tells the remarkable story of how the ACES Project is changing the narrative for young people from inner cities by highlighting the stories of those who succeed despite the odds.

In our Careers section, graphologist Christina Strang explains what your handwriting says about your state of mind in Personality in Health, and in Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs, we highlight a new report that reveals what motivates female entrepreneurs and makes them successful, and what they think would encourage more women to set up on their own.

Also in this section, we ask if the sheen has come off the glitter of a career in banking as Deloitte reports on where business students today want to work in Banking on Talent.

Our careers coach offers advice on how to make meetings more productive in Ask the Career Coach – How Can I Get out of these Endless Meetings?.

In another from her series of Letters from Africa, Elvina Quaison reports on her journey thus far in From UK to Ghana.....the Saga Continues.

We preview two forthcoming events: Homecoming Revolution's London Expo, a major event taking place in London in March, and Africa Energy Indaba, the foremost African energy event for energy professionals from across the globe.

Our guest interviewee in this month's '5 Minute Interview' is Michael Garrison, Managing Director of View Now TV, who shares some of the lessons he has learned along the way.

January and February see an extensive line-up of events in the UK and overseas and our Events listing gives you details of what’s on and some un-missable Dates for your Diary .

ReConnect Africa acts as a Media Partners for numerous events in Africa and around the world. Visit our Media Partnerships web page so you can keep abreast of upcoming events that we are promoting.

Keep up to date with events across Africa with constant breaking news from Africa through Thomson Reuters on the ReConnect Africa website. Catch up on news from the UK and around the world in bite sized chunks with our International News Round feature.

Share your comments about our articles or write into our Letters page and let us know what you think about ReConnect Africa.

We visit the ReConnect Africa Library and we give you another chance to read New Year's Resolution: Recognizing the Difference of Originality, by Andrena Sawyer and start your new year with a different approach to networking.

Finally, check out this month's Editorial - Letting Go – and let me know what you think.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and show your support by forwarding the newsletters to your friends and contacts.

On ReConnect Uganda we will be bringing you features, articles, news feeds and highlight some of the key events taking place in the country.

You can continue to keep up with the latest from South Africa on our dedicated portal, ReConnect South Africa, where we bring you features, articles, news feeds and highlight some of the key events taking place in and about South Africa.

ReConnect Africa.com brings you a wealth of information from jobs on the ReConnect Jobs website to our listings and features.

Revisit previous issues and browse through the hundreds of articles in the ReConnect Library.

Whether you need to write a great CV, make the right impact at interview or need help with your plans to find a job in Africa, our range of careers services are tailor made for your needs.

Other information you can find includes:

Enjoy this issue and the new website and please write in to me and share your comments!