Enyong Okau Augustine at the Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi.

As the world marks the annual World AIDS Day, I would like to bring to the attention of the people of Africa what I think is a scam.

There's a group of guys sending emails across the continent inviting people to conferences on AIDS in the USA and Africa. They ask you to pay for hotel reservations for the African phase of the conference while claiming to have fully paid for the USA Conference.

I have fallen victim to this scam.

So, as we look at our successes and failures in beating this disease, we must remember that there is also this group of people to fight.

Wednesday 28th November

Salva Ayela Lokonyen comments on the arrest of the British teacher for going along with the choice of children in her class and naming a teddy bear Mohamed.

Dear muslim brothers in Khartoum: you should exercise tolerance and patience when it comes to religion.

Suppose the name Mohamed is given to a child, and later this child becomes mad and behaves badly. Would the name then be withdrawn?

I understand that at seven years old, a child can pray five times a day, and this to me means that he or she already understands his religion and therefore could not mean any ill by choosing to name a Teddy Bear Mohamed.

Maybe the children simply chose this name because they liked the Teddy Bear.

Please release the teacher and let her continue with her duties.

Tuesday 27th November

With the Commonwealth meeting now over, Obubu John Peter in Entebbe, is one relieved Ugandan.

Thank God the Commonwealth meeting has ended!

Though Uganda may have been show-cased, a few hotel-owners got money and some people got the chance to see Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth face to face, the reality is that most Ugandans remain poor.

Because of CHOGM, fares were hiked due to traffic diversions, food prices were increased, shops were empty for security reasons and movement was restricted. On top of all that, all ministries' budgets were cut to finance the affair and a lot of activities were halted.

My suggestion is that the word "Commonwealth" be changed. It may be 'common wealth' in the West, but in Africa and Uganda in particular, it is and remains 'common poverty'.

Monday 26th November

Dak Marial Buot in Rumbek, Sudan, is keen to put forward his point of view about violence against women.

I am always happy to hear women's domestic violence highlighted in the world media. People must understand that women should share the same rights of freedom as men.

Many communities, especially in Africa, regard women as less important. This is a bad impression.

Today women are doing what men do. If we count the number of women in aviation, for example, they are there in great numbers. In hospitals they have roles that save lives. In the field of engineering, they are not left out.

Domestic violence against women should not be used by men to get them to do what the man wants. Let us view women as essential members of our society. Okay?

Friday 23rd November

Amartey in Accra, Ghana believes that the commonwealth has too strong a tie with colonialism

I would like to know what African countries in the commonwealth gain by remaining faithful members of the organisation.

Isn't it just a continuation of British colonial rule?

It used to be "our wealth" before the British arrived to our shores, then it became "a common wealth", so that they could take whatever they wanted from our continent. Despite this union we remain the "third world" and poor.

Thursday 22nd November

Daniel Bol Ateny Nyieth from Sudanese offers his congratulations to the President of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf

Well done for your commitment to the people of Somalia after appointing a new Prime Minister, Nur Hassan Hussein.

I hope the country will experience change, and the internal clashes in Mogadishu will immediately cease.

And to the new Prime Minister, welcome to your beautiful office and the serious issues that await you.

The world is watching and hoping that you will bring change in Somalia.

Please have the courage and try to execute your duties to establish peace and stability in Somalia and you will be blessed.

Tuesday 20th November

A Human Rights Watch investigation has found that the Nigerian police force are responsible for killing 8,000 Nigerians since the year 2000. Nnakaihe Friday in Nigeria has this response

I don't want to accept the popularly held belief that the police are the most corrupt institution in Nigeria, but what am I supposed to think when at a road block, after your car has been thoroughly searched and all the necessary documents surrendered, you are not allowed to continue your journey until something leaves your pocket?

Even with issued receipts for your goods you are still coerced into bribing your way out