AMANDLA NEWSPAPER

Amandla 9/11 Special issue

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September 15 -October 16, 2011 latest African news

9/11 Restored My Faith in God -Survivor A Ghanaian civil engineer who survived the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in ew York recounts his experience on that fateful day.

By Kwabena Opong The heinous events of September 11, 2001 that suddenly ended the lives of about 3,000 innocent people in New York and other places in the country left a deep scar on America. Ten years later families and friends that lost loved ones and survivors continue to mourn and recall the day with about the same sense of revulsion and fear hoping nothing like that ever happens again.

Many have told their stories but others like Robert Kumapley, a Ghanaian civil engineer had to wait ten years.

Mr. Kumapley on September 11 2001 was employed by HNTB Corporation but was seconded as a consultant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with his office on the 74th floor at the World Trade Center. He is married to Genevieve, also a Ghanaian and a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist and practices at Saint Peter’s Uni-

versity Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. To date, the couple has three children.

Mr. Kumapley’s secondment, renewable on half-yearly basis had just been renewed on the previous Monday, September 10, 2001. He had worked then for almost two years and his wife objected to the renewal because she was not happy with his daily commute to the city from their New Jersey residence. He remarks, “this is why sometimes we have to listen to our wives.”

He would not let go of the opportunities that were open to him.

On the morning of September 11, Kumapley recalls, “something very strange happened,” I woke up in the morning and I would normally drive my car to the train station and get on to the train and move on.” On this day, however, he walked up to the room where his three-month old son Nicholas was sleeping with his mother-in-law who was on hand to help with their two children. He wanted to kiss his son goodbye, something he had never done before. It was about 4:30 a.m. and grandma would not allow him because she did not want him to wake up the baby.

Continued on page 12

The Kumapley Family: behind their children are from left Dr. Genevieve Kumapley and Robert

9/11 - The Salamones, 10 Years Later: Grieving Privately, in A Public Way

It’s time to stand up, Diaspora – Diploma urges

The Salomones: from left is Alex, MaryEllen, Anna and Aidan ten years later in 2011 Alex, Aidan, and Anna Salamone from orth Caldwell lost their father John on 9/11 and have spent the last decade dealing with their grief, mostly in the classroom. ow they are helping teachers learn how to deal with grieving children through a webinar produced by Scholastic and the ational Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.

Their mother, MaryEllen Salamone, was on the ational Commission on Children and Disasters.

By Karin Oxford When she is on the back of a horse, she can almost forget what

happened on Sept. 11, 2001. For her brothers, it’s on the baseball and football fields of their North Caldwell hometown where they remember their father, John P. Salamone, killed in the terrorist attacks while working as a Cantor Fitzgerald stockbroker on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. For his children, Anna, Aidan and Alex Salamone, the last 10 years have been about managing their grief.

Anna, 12, is the youngest. She is a quiet girl with brown hair to the middle of her back and a pleasantly freckled face. Looking around the room, where a family interview is taking place, at her mother, MaryEllen Salamone,

and at her brothers, she seems to gain the strength to let her voice be heard.

Anna could be any American pre-teen: blue flower earrings in her ears and macramé friendship bracelets on both wrists. She has a quick smile that vanishes as soon as it appears. Her passion for her horseback riding and extracurricular activities shines, not through an outspoken demeanor but through her performances.

Her interest in musical theater led her to the role of Golda, the female lead in her school’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” and an animal therapy program her mother found for her and her Continued on page 3

This is not a turkey. Iit's the "wankagie" from Liberia it is believed to bring peace and happiness See page 2 for news

Amandla is one of New Jersey newspapers selected to use student articles and pictures in our coverage of the tenth anniversary of September 11. See articles on pages 1and 5

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

Page 2

Community News

Editorial Frimpong Boateng Deserves Better “If you do not have anything for your in law, you do not defraud her.” – Akan Proverb On Friday, August 26, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng was fired from his position as honorary director of the Cardiothoracic Center at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and from Ghana’s Ministry of Health. The letter of dismissal was signed by Minister of Health Yieleh Chireh, ordering him to vacate his office with immediate effect.

Ghanaians’ shocking reaction to the news was premised on the service and sacrifices Dr. Frimpong Boateng, the first black African heart transplant surgeon had to make to almost single-handedly establish the heart clinic at Korle Bu, only one of its kind in the West African subregion.

The reaction of the renowned surgeon’s colleagues at the center was to lay down their tools in solidarity. Interestingly, President John Mills’ intervention only sought to confirm the dismissal, but this time on grounds of age limit, and a “graceful” one month handover period. The president’s attempt to save Minister Yieleh Chireh from embarrassment only served to muddy the situation further, and it is unfortunate.

Frimpong Boateng is 61 and so are several others elsewhere in other government institutions, including medical establishments.

Dr. Frimpong Boateng has since the episode issued a press statement bemoaning the action as engineered by some colleagues at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. What is happening, according to him has nothing to do with age. It “has everything to do with the inordinate ambition of certain individuals using their connections to take over the cardiothoracic center in an attempt to get access to what they think is a pot of money.”

Obviously, the internal politics at Korle Bu is driving the issue. It is unfortunate, perilous and unhealthy in a country where the patient-doctor ratio is woeful and frightening and where the average citizen can hardly afford basic medical spending.

Is there any political motivation? We may never know for sure. What we do know is that Dr. Frimpong Boateng, after all, is a leading member of the opposition NPP. He was even a presidential aspirant on two occasions.

The government’s action could only engender some serious backlash: it is a disincentive for Ghanaian professionals who intend to return home to work. It is also a negative precedence in the civil service which has its own laid-down procedures for issues of separation and retirement. And it is an unnecessary meddling in the Civil Service by the executive.

Kwabena Frimpong Boateng is a patriot. He does not say that in his press release but he makes it quite plain. He continues to encourage Ghanaian professionals to return home to help. But most importantly, the 61 year old young man is a role model to people young and old.

Heroism is a rarity and those recognized as heroes are rare. It is an act of sacrifice that inures to the benefit of many. Frimpong Boateng is a hero who has been treated more like a villain.

It’s time to stand up, Diaspora – Diploma urges

By Kofi Ayim .

South Africa’s top diplomat in the U.S. has called on the Diaspora to stand up to help rejuvenate and reposition Africa to take its rightful place in the world. H.E. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool made this comment at the 3rd Annual African Diaspora Festival organized by the African Commission in Newark on Saturday, September 3.

He said Africa abounds in a rich cultural heritage and challenged the Diaspora to be proud of it and help nurture it in the most positive way possible. He congratulated the African Commission of Newark and pointed out that with the annual festival, “not only do we move Newark forward, but the entire African Diaspora”.

Drawing from the principle of “Ubuntu” the Washington D.C.-

New York: Accra, Ghana Accra, Ghana

Pamela Appea Kobby Smith Daneil Abugah

Photojournalists

Joseph (Nana) Sarget Rosiland (Efua) Sargent

National Ghana Parade in the Bronx

By Pamela Appea The National Ghana Parade Council (“NGPC”) held its third annual Parade and Festival on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Crotona Park in the Bronx, N.Y. Many teenagers and youth including Ghanaians, Ghanaian-Americans and others in the community showed up in full force.

Over 1,000 people joined the celebration throughout the all-day event that included a brief cultural procession and parade, formal remarks, music, food and more.

Sam Aboah, founding board member of the National Ghana Parade Council, found inspiration in the series of Ghana's 50th anniversary

celebrations in 2008 and as a proud Bronx resident decided to collaboratively start an event spanning across the spectrum from youth to elders to celebrate the Ghanaians and Ghanaian community and the greater African Disapora.

As Aboah was born and raised in the United States to Ghanaian parents, this first born son is very familiar with Ghanaian cultural events, but found youth and elders weren't always connecting or even understanding each other at large to small social gatherings. GhanaianAmericans most certainly care about what's happening in Ghana, but America is their home Estimating there are perhaps as many as 50,000 Ghanaians in the Bronx alone, Aboah, together with other National Ghana Parade Council board members, worked to get the support of local politicians, community residents and corporate sponsorship to hold a Bronx-based event.

“The mission of the National Ghana Parade Council is to promote and celebrate the diversity of Ghanaian Continued on page 3

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based diplomat posited that Africa’s mission, among others, is to humanize the world with its centuries-old civilization. He opined that Africa holds the key to the allegiance of humankind. Ubuntu is a Xhosa word that proverbially means the interdependent and connectivity of each other for progress in society.

Ambassador Rasool said it’s increasingly becoming apparent for the continent of Africa to engage its Diaspora - identified as the 6th Region - for the common good of all.

Consequently, a mammoth meeting of the Diaspora would be convened in South Africa in May 2012 to chart the direction pertinent to Africa and Africans.

In his address, Ambassador Justin N. Seruhere, PhD, Tanzania’s Minister Plenipotentiary and Permanent Mission to the United Nations pointed out that the positive influence of the Diaspora to the continent of Africa cannot be overemphasized. He cited billions of remittances that flow to Africa to supplement and facilitate socio-economic programs. The Festival attracted diverse cultures from Africa,

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Address: P.O. Box 7030WOB West Orange, NJ 07052 Telephone: 973-419-0073 / 973-731-1339 Amandla is a monthly publication of the Amandla Company. It is an associate member of the New Jersey Newspaper Association Thepublishers of Amandla do not necessarily share the opinions and viewpoints expressed in articles that appear in the publication

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

9/11 - The Salamones, Ten Years Later: Grieving Privately, in A Public Way Continued from the front page

her and her brothers led to her embrace of horses and horseback riding.

Using physical activity as a coping mechanism became one of the ways for the family to deal with John’s death, explained Mrs. Salamone.

Anna said, “I started doing it, and I stuck with it because it takes your mind off everything when you are riding a horse.”

Alex, 15, is the support system for his siblings. He speaks out when he remembers a memory about his father or when he feels passionate for something. Switching from the soccer field to the football field, he remembers the times when his father played sports with him. “I feel like he’s there with me when I’m playing,” Alex said.

Aidan, 14, is the voice for the Salamone children. Articulate and quick to respond, he put their collective feelings and experiences from the last 10 years into spoken prose.

It has been hard not having a father present, he said. Aidan used to play soccer, like his father. John Salamone was a skilled soccer player for West Essex High School. He began coaching Alex’s soccer team right before Sept. 11.

“Since my dad played soccer, it was actually kind of hard,” Aidan said.

Page 3

Community News “There was a mental thing [driving me], just not playing the sport he played and trying something else.”

Switching to baseball, basketball and football, Aidan said he still feels his father’s presence on the court and the field.

“When I’m going up to bat, behind the plate I always make a sign of the cross [in the dirt] with my bat,” he reported. “In my head I say, ‘C’mon dad.’”

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Aidan, then 4, was in the car on his way to school with his mother when he found out about the terrorist attacks in a news report that came over the radio.

“My mom started crying in the car,” he recalled. “I really did not understand what was happening.”

When they arrived at school, their mother told Aidan’s teacher that a family friend might pick him up at the end of the day, which Aidan interpreted to mean that he would never see his mother again either. Reuniting with his mother later, she explained the meaning of the day’s events. Still, Aidan did not grasp the gravity of the situation.

“I didn’t understand what happened until much later,” Aidan said.

His brother Alex had his own recollections. “I remember coming off the bus, and there were cars parked up and down the street,” Alex said. He was in first grade then. Wondering what was going on, he walked up to his mother who waited at the bus stop for him.

Even after she explained what happened, he did not understand.

For the Salamone children, a great part of these last 10 years have been about remembrance, clarity and recovery.

Being 5, 4 and 2 years old at the time, Alex, Aidan and Anna do not have the clearest memories of their father.

“I remember my dad’s voice… I remember what he looked like, too,” Aidan said. Laughing, he added “I remember his face when he forgot to shave, the scraggly beard.”

Alex contributed a couple of his mem-

Alex, Anna, and Aidan Salamone holding family picturesthat include their father, John Salamone ories as well.

“I remember he would put sunflowers in Anna’s hair,” Alex said, as Anna watched him silently. “I remember he would say I was so strong. Playing in the basement, I could beat [my father] up. We would fool around and fight -it was fun.”

Alex also remembered visiting his father’s office a couple of times. “It was a regular office, all cubicles… we would get lunch,” he recalled. “He would show me around the whole office; he would introduce me to his friends and his boss.”

John Salamone and his Cantor Fitzgerald office mates died in an extremely public way. It would be difficult to find someone who has not seen the footage of the two towers being hit by airplanes. As the 10th anniversary approaches, the Salamones think about what the public nature of his death

means to them.

“When you tell people that your dad died on 9/11, they know exactly what happened, they know all the details,” stated Aidan. “All you have to say is [my dad died on 9/11], and they get quiet.”

The media’s constant portrayal of the events has also kept Sept. 11 at the front of the country’s mind, but at what cost?

“I do not think it hurts or helps,” said Alex. “I do not think it is necessary every year to have so much media attention about it. I guess they do not want people to forget. But we’re constantly reminded about it….you could be having a great time, and then all of a sudden someone mentions it and it ruins your mood.”

Added Anna, “When people talk about it on the news, it just brings you back to those memories of what happened.

National Ghana Parade in the Bronx Continued from page 2

and making positive contributions in our communities while developing and maintaining alliances with other African communities in the greater New York City Area,” said Aboah.

“Our event was a huge success as we saw many Ghanaians, Ghanaian-Americans and supporters of the Ghanaian community enjoying themselves and reaching out to each other in a positive way.

Major corporate sponsors included Arik Airlines, The Trust Bank of Ghana (TTB) and Sika Money Transfer. The event has the support of a large number of associations, politicians and others including Ghana's Consul General, H. E. Ernest Lomotey, the Office of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Councilmember Helen Diane Foster, Senator Ruth Thompson, Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene, Assemblywoman Vanessa L. Gibson, Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, Mt. Vernon City Council Yuhanna Edwards and others.

Libya: The Gadaffi Clan Scatters Reports of Gadaffi family deaths and flights by regime stalwarts to neighbouring countries have been greatly exaggerated but as Africa Confidential went to press, the signs were that the former ruling family was scattering in several directions and would fight to the death in Libya only if no alternative remained.

In late August, Algeria took in Moammar el Gadaffi's wife Safia, along with three of his children: his oldest son, sports and telecommunications supremo Mohamed, 41, who was born to his first wife, Fatiha; ship owner Hannibal el Gadaffi, 36, whose problems with the British, French and Swiss authorities have made him infamous; 35-year-old daughter

It really hurts you.”

There has also been an ongoing fear in the minds of the Salamone children: Will they always be known as the 9/11 kids? “[People] talk to you almost as if YOU were there,” reported Aidan. “I hardly remember the situation. Every waking moment of my life is not centered around what happened back then.”

For the Salamone children, looking back at the way their teachers responded to their father’s death is an example of how children’s grief is interpreted in our culture.

“Some teachers did a bad job, some did a good job,” Alex said. “If you had a hard time in school, some teachers would understand. For other teachers, if you were misbehaving, they would not think about what you might Continued on page 5

Aisha el Gadaffi, a lawyer, and some grandchildren. Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci indicated that they had won asylum on humanitarian grounds. Colonel Gadaffi or his other sons, more implicated in the conflict, wouldn't receive the same treatment, he implied.Subsequently, on 31 August, a report in the Algiers daily El Watan (sometimes a conduit for Major General Mohamed 'Tawfik' Medienne's Département du Renseignment et de la Sécurité (DRS) intelligence service) said that Moammar el Gadaffi had also tried to cross the border at Ghadames with his family but had been blocked.

By this account, Gadaffi tried to telephone President Abdelaziz Bouteflika but the Algerian leader refused to take the call. Other Algerian sources have lent credence to this report. While Algiers is said to have cleared the less important family members' entry with the National Transitional Council, it was politically impossible to admit Gadaffi himself.

Gadaffi may have fallen back to Bani Walid, the desert military hub of Houn or Sebha, which is where quantities of cash and gold taken from the Central Bank of Libya are believed to have ended up.

Of the other Gadaffi sons, the Commander of the 32nd Reinforced Brigade, Khamis Abu Minya el Gadaffi, has been reported dead several times but now seems virtually certain to have died in fighting outside Tripoli. Es Saadi el Gadaffi has been seen around his father's hometown of Sirte, where his sometime sibling rival, El Muatassim el Gadaffi, had been coordinating the defence.

Reports that a convoy of armoured limousines carrying Gadaffi's entourage and family members had entered Niger on 6 September suggest the Gadaffi clan knows its time is up but will still seek to cause trouble in the Sahel. In Ndjamena, President Idriss Déby Itno has been conferring with French intelligence and other allies to counter any potential problems in Chad's troubled north, while Mali, Niger and Algeria are concerned that Libyan gold and renegades will fuel renewed turbulence among Touareg and other communities.

Source:Africa Confidential London

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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Page 5 tember 11 organization. Inscribed on the band are the words “9/11, remember, honor, hope.”

The band has inspired others around the world. Italian contemporary artist Maria Dompè created an artwork based on the band, which she named “Remember-Hope-9/11.”

Dealing with grief is an ordeal they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, but the Salamones have a positive outlook on it. If [the U.S.] could get through something as big as a terrorist attack, you can get through losing a parent, Anna said.

“Everything will be fine,” Alex said.

“You will get through it, I got through it.”

And finally, Aidan: “You are going to get sad at some point. Just do not ball it up inside of you… people are there for you. Never feel like it is holding you back from anything.”

The Salamone Family Ten Years Later Continued from page 3 [psychologically] be experiencing, they would just think you were a bad kid.”

In March, the Salamone children took part in a Scholastic and National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement web-seminar about students and grief.

MaryEllen Salamone was interviewed as well. The webinar was created to inform teachers and parents about the ways American educational system can inform teachers on how to deal with grieving children in the classroom.

“I sat on the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which had to come up with a set of recommendations for Congress,” said Mrs. Salamone. “One of the recommendations I brought to the table was teaching teachers about bereaved children…we did the Scholastic webinar, and now there is a lot more attention on [the subject].”

The Salamone children agreed it was an opportunity for them to inform others about their experiences dealing with grief in school.

When teachers watch the webinar, they will learn how to deal with a student who went through a tragedy the right way, Alex said.

“I think it would absolutely help a teacher to watch [it] and hear firsthand from the students,” Aidan said. “Most of the teachers have no idea what is going through [a kid’s] mind. In school, you are not always going to break down in tears when you really are sad… when I am talking about it to help people, I am more than willing to

Herbert Ouida of River Edge was lucky to escape from One World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. His 25-yearold son Todd was not. He was on the 105th floor when the plane hit and was trapped there. The charity Ouida founded in his son’s name, the Todd Ouida Children’s Foundation, has since raised more than $1 million for children’s causes.

Alex, Anna, and Aidan Salamone holding family pictures with their father, John Salamone. help them understand.”

Being a part of the webinar was also an opportunity for the Salamone children to grow.

“When they first did it, I felt like the worst mother in the world,” said Mrs. Salamone. “But [after], they could not stop talking about how proud they were… and they were so glad they were strong enough. It is another hurdle that they have gotten over.”

Today, the children’s easiest way of coping is talking out their feelings with their mother.

“My mom, she helped the most…for all these years, if I ever needed to talk about it, I definitely could,” noted Aidan. “I did not have to hold anything back. She was always there, and she always knew the right thing to say,” Aidan said.

Now in their teens, the three agreed what they have been through has strengthened them.

Growing up without a dad is a setback, said Aidan. “With playing sports, most kid’s dads will fight for a starting role for their child on a team,” he said.

“I’ve had to work probably harder than others. I’ve had to do it all on my own, and I think it’s made me stronger,” he said.

But the experience has made the whole family socially and politically active.

After the terrorist attack, Mrs. Salamone searched for children’s counseling groups near their home in North Caldwell. Each group she contacted did not accept the children because of their ages.

“Every one of them I contacted said their programs started at 8 [years old]

Grieving Father Founds Charity in Son’s Name

By Cathy Carrera

In the days and weeks after Todd Ouida died in the 9/11 attacks 10 years ago, his parents, brother and sister mourned in their River Edge home.

They couldn’t eat, drink, sleep or function normally.

All they could do was listen.

Family members, friends, and many of the people who were in Todd’s life stopped by the family’s house to visit and share their memories. Herbert Ouida, Todd’s father, said everyone had a unique story about the 25 year old.

But, all of the stories had one thing in common. "We found out in those days after he was gone, Todd was everyone’s buddy," Ouida said, with a smile.

Today, there is mybuddytodd.org, the website of the Todd Ouida Children’s Foundation. The foundation was created to celebrate Todd’s life and treat children who suffer from childhood anxiety, as Todd did. It supports psychological services and other mental health initiatives for children of families in need. It also raises awareness of anxiety and depression disorders in children, recognizing the need for early intervention.

When Todd was a young boy, between the 4th and 6th grades, he suffered from anxiety and panic disorders, Ouida said. Todd suffered so much from these disorders that he had to be home-schooled for nearly three years.

After intense therapy from a skilled

and that my kids were not old enough to grieve,” Mrs. Salamone said. She joined the advisory board of Families of September 11, a non-profit organization working to disseminate information to the families of 9/11 victims.

Taking the knowledge she learned about children and grief from her experiences with her children, she applied it to a larger scale to help grief education around the country. Six months after Sept. 11, there were support groups and grief counseling for the children of victims, she stated proudly.

Alex, too, did his part. In fifth grade, he designed a blue “cause” wristband to honor the memory of those that (who) were lost and to contribute to a better future. The wristband was distributed through the Families of Sep-

Karin Oxford is a Douglass Residential College junior at Rutgers University. Her hometown is South Orange, New Jersey. Oxford is an English and Journalism & Media Studies major, and Cinema Studies minor in the Women & Creativity and Institute for Women on Research learning communities at Rutgers. She graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, where she was Opinions Editor of the school newspaper, The Columbian. Today, she writes and takes photographs for Douglass Now News, an e-Newsletter for Douglass Residential College. Oxford interned for the Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at the Museum of Natural History, where she was inspired to pursue a career in film as a visual storytelling medium. Currently, Oxford creates short films and documentaries, and she hopes to merge new media and narrative journalism when working in the field of documentary filmmaking after graduating from Rutgers.

Herbert Ouida in his office and compassionate child psychiatrist and a tremendous amount of patience and support from his family, Todd was able to move beyond his panic disorders and go back to school.

"From that day forward he never looked back," Ouida recalled.

Todd was involved in sports and did well academically at River Dell High School. He went to the University of Michigan and soon after graduating landed a great job with Cantor Fitzgerald in New York as a foreign financial analyst.

He and his dad worked in the same building – One World Trade Center.

Todd for Cantor on the 105th floor and his dad for the World Trade Centers

Association on the 77th floor, where he was and still is acting director of corporate services.

"He was at the peak of his career," said Ouida, recalling his son’s early professional success. Ouida noted the airplane that crashed into Tower One on 9/11 hit the 99th floor, six floors below where Todd worked. With sadness in his eyes, Ouida says almost in a whisper, "It kills me everyday -- did he know he couldn’t get out?"

Ouida, his wife Andrea, his son Jordan, and his daughter Amy were always a tight-knit family, devoted and involved in each other’s lives. They don’t know for sure what Todd was going through that Tuesday morning.

They don’t know for sure how he tried to escape or how he handled the situation. But what they do know beyond certainty is who he was and what he valued.

On that day, "Todd knew we were with him," Ouida said. "My whole family was with him, wherever he was . . . the stairs, conference room or under a desk, we were with him."

A few minutes after the North Tower was hit, Todd called his mother. "He told her, ‘Mommy, you’re going to hear there was an explosion at the Trade Center. Don’t worry Mommy, I’m okay, I’m going to the stairs. I just spoke to Daddy and he’s fine, too,’" Ouida said.

Todd's mother remembers his voice was calm and assuring. Ouida keeps those words with him every day. The whole family does.

On that Tuesday in 2001, Ouida said the family knew Todd had come a long way from those childhood panic attacks.

In the days and weeks following Sept.

11, Ouida recalled, the family stayed close, grieving and receiving visitors who wanted to share their feelings about Todd. One of the visitors they welcomed was Todd’s former therapist. According to Ouida, they were surprised by his visit; they hadn’t seen him since the last time Todd went to therapy. But it was something the doctor said about Todd that began to resonate with the Ouidas, who were starting to focus on Todd’s legacy.

Ouida said the doctor believed the intense therapy he had given Todd helped cure his serious panic and anxiety disorders and changed Todd into a positive young man. It was in helping Todd, according to Ouida, that the doctor himself found the inspiration to truly believe in his work.

"It’s why he even continues to be in his field," said Ouida. "Because he knows therapy can make a huge differ-

ence in a child’s life."

That Sept. 30, the Ouida family held a memorial service for Todd. Family members and friends spoke to honor Todd, as did the therapist. After the service was over, many people came up to Ouida and told him they wanted to help by donating money but didn’t know where to donate it.

"They told me we should create a foundation to help children who suffered as Todd did," said Ouida. And that was the cornerstone of the Todd Ouida Children’s Foundation and MyBuddyTodd.org. Since its inception, it has raised more than $1 million for children’s causes.

The organization does fundraising throughout the year and has an event annually around Todd’s birthday. This year, it took place June 5 at River Dell High School. There was a picnic/barbeque, music, fun activities for children, a silent auction, and basket prizes.

This year, the foundation partnered with Children’s Aid and Family Services to develop a medical services and advocacy center for children in the non-profit’s treatment homes and foster families. The foundation in the past has supported many Bergen County child-oriented, non-profit organizations and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey – Kids Division.

"Happiness is not in taking, it’s in giving," said Ouida. "Some people think, ‘Oh, I’ll be happy if I can only get that car or prize,’ but what satisfies your deep-rooted happiness is giving.

"It helps us to help other people in Todd’s name because he’s not forgotten. People all over the country know about him. They don’t think the only thing to him are his ashes in that place downtown. He’s in our hearts."

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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African News Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng - A Biography Following the abrupt dismissal last month of the world-renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng by the Government of Ghana as the honorary director of the Cardiothoracic Center at Korle Bu Hospital, Amandla has been inundated with inquiries about him. We publish below what we know about the person known by a few people as “The One.” The fact that Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is a well-known and accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon is known the world over. He has been so successful in his chosen field and also in administration that people think his whole life revolves around medicine and hospitals. Wrong! The non-medical side of Prof. is equally impressive. Before we go into that let us first summarize the medical side of this gift of God to the people of Ghana.

Frimpong-Boateng did the GCE-O level in four years in Sekondi College, Sekondi from 1964 to 1968 and was admitted to the University of Ghana to do a one year pre-science course before entering the University of Ghana Medical School from where he graduated in 1975 as the overall best candidate and also winner of the Easmon Prize in Surgery. After internship at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital he served as a Medical Officer at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he was also a Demonstrator in Morbid Anatomy at the School of Medical Sciences from 1977-1978.

He pursued post-graduate studies at the Hannover Medical University, Germany from 1978-1989 and qualified as general, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon. He subsequently worked as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and was one of the pioneers of heart transplantation in Hanover and Germany as a whole. In Hannover he also taught both undergraduate and postgraduate Thorax, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng returned home in 1989 to establish the National Cardiothoracic Centre and the Ghana Heart Foundation. He officially joined the University of Ghana Medical School in the year 2000 and was promoted associate professor and Head of the Department of Surgery the same year and became a full professor in 2002.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was a guest surgeon in the Department of Heart Surgery, Moliere Hospital, Brussels, Belgium in 1994, 1995 and 1996. He has been a lecturer in Cardiothoracic surgery (coordinated course) and the Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School since 1989 and Lecturer in Cardiothoracic surgery, West African College of Surgeons since 1994.

He is an examiner in Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical School and the West African Postgraduate Medical College and external School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana and Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia,

Tanzania: Horror As 180 People Perish in Ferry Accident Issa Yussuf Zanzibar — GRIEF reigned across the spice islands of Unguja and Pemba yesterday as their residents tried to come to terms with a fatal dawn marine accident at Nungwi, 72 kilometres

3.

Promoter of young people especially in Engineering 4.

Philanthropist 5.

Research scientist Farming Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has the first ostrich farm in Ghana.

Industry Prof. Frimpong-Boateng together with a group of scientists has set up the first CNC Machine tool centre in Ghana.

This installation has enabled the manufacture of precision tools and spare parts as well as design of agricultural machines and implements.

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng examining a patient at the Cardiothoracic Center Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Founding Director of the National Cardiothoracic Centre, President of the Ghana Heart Foundation as well as former President of the Ghana Red Cross Society.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is a member of various professional associations.

These include the West African College of Surgeons, Ghana Medical Association, German Society of Surgery, International Society for Heart Transplantation, European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons, European Chapter of the International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery and International Society for Surgery. He was the first product from the University of Ghana Medical School to be elected Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in December 2002.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has received several local and international awards in recognition of his medical work and service to humanity. Selected awards are the following:

ION OF THE ORDER OF THE VOLTA 2006 18.

Honorary Member of the German Surgical Society, May 2011

1.

Certificate of appreciation from Orphanage International Ministry in recognition of humanitarian service to Cardio Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and to society in Ghana at large especially orphan children 27th July 2002.

2.

Recognition award from Soviet (CIS) trained doctors association for devoted and meritorious service to Ghana, 5th December 2001.

3.

Certificate of Distinction from Sapphire Ghana Ltd. for outstanding contribution to National Development, August 1999 4.

Award from Enterprise Insurance Company, Ghana in recognition of efforts, achievements, perseverance and success, 1999.

5.

Millennium Excellence

Award Recipient as personality of the decade, December 1999 6.

Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, Marketing Man of the Year 1999.

7.

Co-recipient of the 2003 special award from the Ghana Chartered Institute of Marketing to the Centre for Technology-Driven Economic Development (CTED).

8.

Recognition award from the civil service of Ghana for meritorious services rendered to the Ghana Civil Service and the people of Ghana, 1998.

9.

St Luke’s Day award from the St. Michael and All Saints Anglican Church Korle Gonno, Accra, Ghana for distinguished service as a medical doctor in the service of the Lord, 1993 10.

Nobles International Award in recognition of status as an eminent West African who believes in Honesty, Integrity and Accountability, 28th Nov. 2003 11.

Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Education, Winneba, 10th September 2004 12.

Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana 13.

UN Volunteers Certificate of appreciation in recognition of voluntary contribution to national development, International Voluntary Day, December 5, 2005.

14.

Asante Honour Award presented by Otumfuo, Asantehene, 25th November 2005.

15.

Personality of the year award 2004, by the People of the Western Region of Ghana for outstanding contribution towards the Development and promotion of Ghana, Sept 2005.

16.

Personality of the Decade, awarded by the Millennium Excellence Foundation 2005.

17.

National Award: COMPAN-

from Unguja, which claimed over 180 lives.

The Zanzibar President, Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, who visited the scene of accident and comforted survivors at a Maisara grounds rescue center in Unguja, announced three days of mourning beginning today, in which flags will fly at half-mast.

A State House statement said 180 bodies were recovered by last night and 579 survivors rescued from the accident involving a Pemba-bound Mv Spice Islanders, which sank at around 2 am yesterday. Apparently no foreigner was in the ferry.

Sixty of the survivors were critically injured while 100 others were treated

at Mnazi Mmoja hospital in Unguja and released. The statement said the dead would be buried at a common cemetery.

The survivors claimed that the accident was waiting to happen and blamed Malindi port authorities for allowing an overloaded vessel to set off.

The figures released so far add up to 759, but extreme estimates say up to 1,000 passengers could have been on board the ferry, whose capacity is suspected to be half the number or lower.

The ferry, which left Malindi harbor at 3 pm on Friday, is believed to have been hit by a strong current at Nungwi.

It overturned on one side and started sinking gradually.

Omar Said, one of the survivors, said their calls to reduce the number of passengers or cancel the journey were ignored by port authorities and the ferry's crew.

Spice Islander, the boat which capsized while heading for Pemba Island. It was reportedly overcrowded and there were not enough lifejackets for all the passengers.

"Some people cancelled their booking.

The boat started to experience difficulties after 1pm, and began to sink, prompting screaming from scared passengers," he said, adding: "At 2 am the boat came to a standstill

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng was the Chairman of the Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission of Ghana from 2008 to 2009.

He contested in the primaries to elect the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the December 2008 general elections. He contested again in the NPP primaries in November 2010 to elect the presidential candidate for the 2012 national elections.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng has served on several Boards and Committees including: 1.

Academic Board, University of Ghana.

2.

Board of the University of Ghana Medical School.

3.

Asanteman Committee on Health.

4.

National Steering Committee for Tobacco Control 5.

Task Force for the Establishment of the National Postgraduate Medical College.

6.

National Road Safety Commission.

7.

Council of African Heart Network 8.

Society for Medical Development Aid, Lower Saxony, Germany.

The information above is an impressive record by any standards. But Prof.

Frimpong-Boateng is much more: he is the following as well: 1.

Farmer.

2.

Industrialist

Promotion of Engineering 2006 Prof. Frimpong-Boateng assisted Mr. Gideon Agyare, then a 24 year old young man to produce an electric engine to power a Mercedes Benz car belonging to the Professor. Mr. Agyare has since developed electric outboard motors for canoes, alternative electric power systems and communication systems.

The good professor helped another young man Mr. David Aboagye, who for financial reasons could not complete his education at the Kumasi Technical Institute, to produce automatic change-over switches for standby generators. David has since established his own business and is doing extremely well. His products are found in many homes and institutions throughout Ghana Philanthropy Prof. Frimpong-Boateng established the Ghana Heart Foundation in 1989 to solicit for funds to assist needy children undergoing heart surgery. As at now every Ghanaian child undergoing heart surgery receives 50% subsidy from the Ghana Heart Foundation. The Foundation is run by a board chaired

by Dr. Kwabena Dufuor, the current Minister of Finance.

Research Apart from medical research Prof.

Frimpong-Boateng researches into production of alternate energy such as bio-diesel from jatropha oil, biogas from human and animal excreta and the use of biomass in general.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is the secretary of the Centre for Technology Driven Economic Development (CTED), a body that believes that the poverty gap is a technology gap and Ghana has to change the structure of its economy through technology. This can only happen by stopping the reliance on primary products such as cocoa, gold, oil, timber and others and using science and technology to produce industrial goods and services.

Other key members of CTED are: 1.

Engineer Robert WoodePresident 2.

Col. K.A. Jackson-Treasurer 3.

Dr. K.A. Owusu Ansah 4.

Dr. Mensah Otabil (Chancellor of Central University College)

and everyone knew it was the end of life. The first rescue team arrived at 7 am; I was floating with a life jacket."

A Police helicopter was used to locate survivors around the scene of accident, said a member of the rescue team, Mr. Ali Shamte. "Some survivors were floating on mattresses, wood, sacks containing flour and rice and anything else that was afloat."

President Shein was joined in the morning by Vice-Presidents Seif Shariff Hamad and Seif Ali Iddi as well as cabinet ministers, political party and religious leaders.

AllAfrica - All the Time/Daily News

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Photo Report The African Communities in New Jersey and New York were busy on the weekend of Saturday September 3 with parades and ceremonies celebrating the African Diaspora. Newark had the African Heritage Diaspora Festival organized by the Newark African Commission. In New York The National Ghana Parade Council (“NGPC�) held its third annual Parade and Festival.

l-r South African Ambassador H.E. Ebrahim Rasool, Newark African Commission leader, Kassimou Dosso, Tanzania's Minister Plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission to the The Brazilian Capoeira & Afro - Peruvian Culture portrayed some South American ritual U.N. Ambassador Justin Seruhere, Phd and Chief of Staff of Newark City Council Presi- dances dent, reading a proclamation to the dignified guest

These young dancers from Ghana mesmerized the crowd with some combo cultural dances

Newark Council woman-at-large Mildred Crump, Community organizer Lorna Johnson, Kofi Danso (Nance) fourth from left and others pose for the camera

This stilt maskman was with the touring Congolese Cultural troupe, N'gomazacongo

These dancers are heralding the Asantefuohene to the parade grounds at the Bronx Festival

The Asantefuohene ofNew York with his retinue

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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African News Gaddafi denies reports he fled to Niger Muammar Gaddafi has issued an audio message encouraging Libyans to take up arms against the fighters battling his loyalists and accusing the National Transitional Council (NTC), currently running the country, of being a front for Western powers.

The message from the deposed Libyan leader was broadcast early on Thursday on Syria-based Al-Rai TV. "To all my beloved Libyans, the Libyan land is yours and you need to defend it against all those traitors, the dogs, those that have been in Libya and are trying to take over the land," Gaddafi said.

"They were spies for the Italians and now they are spies for France. All those germs and rats ... capture all those who are working with NATO and the UK to bomb our country and kill Libyans and our children."

Gaddafi also dismissed reports that he had fled to neighbouring Niger as "psychological warfare and lies".

He said there was nothing unusual about a convoy of cars going to Niger.

"How many times do convoys transporting smugglers, traders and people cross the border every day for Sudan, Chad, Mali and Algeria," Gaddafi said.

"As if this was the first time a convoy

was headed towards Niger."

The president of Burkina Faso has also deined that Gaddafi is in his country.

"We don't have any information on the presence of Libyans on our territory since these events started," he said.

On the ground, Libyan fighters claimed on Wednesday to have got Gaddafi surrounded within a 60km radius.

Anis Sharif, a spokesman for Tripoli's new military council, however, would not say where exactly Gaddafi had been found.

High technology Sharif said Gaddafi had been tracked using high technology and human intelligence. "He can't get out," he said.

Gaddafi, who was removed from power in August after an uprising against his rule, is believed to be travelling in a convoy of about 10 cars and may be using a tent as shelter, Hisham Buhagiar, who is co-ordinating the NTC efforts to find the former Libyan leader, said.

"It is the tent. We know that he does not want to stay in a house, so he stays in a tent. People say the cars came, and then they made a tent," Buhagiar said, adding that his sources had not seen

Gaddafi themselves.

Meanwhile, the anti-Gaddafi forces are still working to gain full control of the country almost three weeks after the fall of the capital, Tripoli.

Fighters have been engaged in prolonged negotiations to convince representatives from Bani Walid, about 150km southeast of Tripoli, that there would be no retributions if the town surrendered peacefully.

But the representatives, upon returning to the town to deliver the message, were fired at and forced to retreat to NTC territory on Tuesday.

On Thursday, the NTC sent an additional battalion of rebel fighters to Bani Walid, where it is preparing for a showdown with Gaddafi loyalists.

Thousands of NTC fighters have been camping outside Bani Walid, which is one of Gaddafi's last strongholds.

They have also built a field hospital and deployed 10 volunteer doctors to prepare for the possibility of a fight.

Fighters massing Rockets have been launched from inside the Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid and reportedly there were NATO airstrikes.

Al Jazeera's Sue Turton reporting from

near Bani Walid on Thursday said that she has been told there were "four NATO airstrikes this morning," although NATO could not confirm this.

According to NTC officials the surrender negotiations inside Ban Walid have stalled and the NTC has given them till Saturday before revolutionary fighters move on the town.

Abdullah Kinshil, NTC's chief negotiator in Bani Walid, said one of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam, was seen there with supporters on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera's James Bays reporting from Tripoli said: "There are reports of Saif al-Islam's presence in Bani Walid rallying forces against the NTC." "There are also reports of his brother Saadi's presence in the town. But the information have not been independently verified," he said.

Click here for more of Al Jazeera's special coverage Fighters are also preparing to move towards Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.

For now, talks have been stalled and they are awaiting orders to take the towns from Gaddafi loyalists.

Amid the Libyan fighters' push to gain full control of this North African country, news came on Tuesday of convoys of Gaddafi loyalists, including his se-

curity chief, fleeing across the Sahara into Niger.

The US said it believed the convoy was carrying senior members of Gaddafi's entourage, and urged Niger to detain anyone liable for prosecution for alleged crimes committed during the uprising.

Leon Panetta, the US defence secretary, said Gaddafi was "on the run" but Washington said it had no reason to believe the fugitive leader had left Libya, something his spokesman Moussa Ibrahim confirmed.

"He is in Libya. He is safe, he is very healthy, in high morale," Ibrahim told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.

The convoy included officers from Libya's southern army battalions and pro-Gaddafi Tuareg fighters and is likely to have crossed from Libya into Algeria before entering Niger, sources said.

Abdou Labo, the Niger's minister of internal affairs, however, denied that a Libyan convoy had entered his country. But he confirmed that Niger had given asylum to Gaddafi's internal security chief Abdullah Mansoor on humanitarian grounds.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Second Annual Philadelphia Sankofa Festival The Agogo Cultural Center in Philadelphia, in association with the Agogo World Wide Association and the New Jersey and Delaware Chapters presented the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Sankofa Festival, on Saturday August 13, 2011. Promoting the theme, “GO BACK AND FETCH YOUR CULTURAL HERITAGE: HONORING QUEEN MOTHERS & WOMANHOOD”, the festival is a annual celebration of the African cultural heritage of Africans born in America.

The Honoree's and in attendance this year were Nana Yaa Asantewaa II from Ejisu, Sister Jewell Ali and Nana Aniwaah Aboral Sika II. Marking its 8th year anniversary and spearheading the event is the Agogo Cultural Center in Philadelphia which was cofounded by Sister Jewell Ali (Queen Mother) and Donald Lewis, a prominent Philadelphia based African born in America business leader. He was Enstooled as Unity King in Agogo, Ghana in 1995, and is officially known

as Nana Kofi Tuuda, the Agogo Nkabomhene (Unity King). The yearly event was launched in 2010 in honor of Nana Tuuda’s 15 years on the Stool.

According to Charles Yamoah, New Jersey Chapter of the Agogo World Wide Association, the rationale for the festival is to “create awareness of the good things in Africa and in the process transform the African born in the USA to realize the need to go back to Africa to reconnect with their indigenous brothers and sisters.”

Program festivities Chaired this year

by Okyeame Sean Coleman were held on the 500 Block of Snyder Avenue (5th and Snyder Avenue), in the area around the Philadelphia Agogo Cultural Center. The Philadelphia Sankofa Festival is a celebration of African Heritage complete with African Royalty. It was a fun filled afternoon of children at play (face painting, crafts) and a variety of workshops, including drumming, dance. and live entertainment from local youth organizations.

Visitors enjoyed a variety of food dishes, textile creations and artifacts provided by vendors.

“Sankofa” is a Ghanaian Akan word meaning “it is not taboo to go back and

fetch what you forgot” Visually and symbolically "Sankofa" is expressed as a mythic bird that flies forward while looking backward with

9/11 Restored My Faith in God – Ghanaian Survivor

toward the lobby. Mr. Kumapley on his way to the lobby met someone who was returning to his desk, because according to the colleague, it was only a helicopter. But Kumapley concluded that if it was a helicopter he would rather see it from outside the building on the ground. The voice continued to urge him on to leave the building. He went to the lobby and saw the elevators working but “something said to me you better take the steps, don’t take the elevators.” He came to find out later that when the building moved the guard rails for the elevator shifted and some people in the elevator were stuck in the elevators mid floors. He then took the emergency stairway and started running down as fast as he could. Around the 33rd floor, the stairway got congested because the emergency workers and firemen were also climbing up to rescue those upstairs.

Between floors 35 and 33 there was a loud boom and everybody kept quiet.

“I am a structural engineer; I practice structural engineering, and my thought was the building was compromised. At that point for the first time running down the steps, the picture of my son came into my mind and I remembered my wife and said I hope this doesn’t

end this way because I couldn’t even say goodbye.” Everyone was quiet as we went down. And that is when the second building was hit.

At the lobby downstairs, during the rush to exit the building, something hit the ground like a watermelon – it was a human being – and at that point a rescue worker grabbed his shoulder and took him to a different direction opposite where he was going. The voice continued to urge him on and looked up to see the building on fire, “and being a structural engineer, I realized the building was not going to survive.” A few minutes later another explosion occurred and it was the first tower from which he had emerged.

About 300 yards away from the building the survivors who were in his direction put their backs against a wall and saw people, including one of his colleagues trying to exit the building being blown onto the front of the building by the force inherent in the explosion.

The survivors were directed toward the Brooklyn Bridge. As they were going the second building also exploded.

Genevieve at this point was working at the surgical theater at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick

when the team saw the picture on the television. Their immediate reaction was that it was too early in the day for such a violent movie. When she got to know what was happening she collapsed had to be carried home where everyone was crying. The phones were not working so it was not possible to call home until about 2:00 p.m. when Kumapley called to allay the fears of the grieving family. He had to spend the night with a friend in Queens who drove him home the following morning.

According to Robert Kumapley, September 11, 2001 changed his life for the better forever. His son would later develop autism and as a result they founded a nonprofit organization called MyGOAL – My Gateway to Overcoming Autism in Life – through which they help families that are impacted with autism.

A friend who also worked in the building with whom he went to lunch everyday invited him to found a church but he would not budge initially. “I did not think I was worthy of starting a church and he would not start it until he got me and some other people involved, and that is how I got introduced to God.” With persistent

Continued from front page

“I then went to my wife’s room to kiss her goodbye, but she would not allow me because she was upset with me for renewing the contract the previous day.

I couldn’t give my son the goodbye kiss and I couldn’t give her the goodbye kiss, so I left.”

He had barely sat down at his desk when he heard a boom and experienced a move in the building, which he estimates at about ten feet. “It was as if the building was going to break, as if it was going to topple over.” The lights went out, but he recalls when the building came back into position, the lights and the Internet came back on as he sat down at his desk.

Just then, “something told me to get up now and just leave.” And so he walked

Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Ejisuhemaa (3rd from left), Nana Tuuda, Sister Jewel Ali (2nd from right) among a number of people at the 2010 Sankofa Festival

an egg (symbolizing the origin) in its mouth.

The Agogo Cultural host year round programs and events including Akwasidae (Holy Sunday) Every Forty Days, Solstice Observances, Twi Language Classes, The Institution of Chieftaincy Classes, African Family Structure Vs American Structure Series, The Agogo Library With The Focus On Self Development, Vegetarian Cooking Classes, Sankofa Reconnection Tour Orientations Sankofa Reconnection Tours to Ghana, View / Chat & Chews, Health & Nutrition Ase Yoga and more. As a special feature, this year the center will showcase films from local African American female filmmakers including "Black Love Lives" by Nisa Ra. Film Projects, Art and Photo Displays are only featured that Elevate Consciousness.

For more information, please contact Sean Coleman at: 484-466-1864 or email coleman.legacy@gmail.com. pressure, they joined hands and founded a church which now has more than 300 members in Roselle, NJ. Thanks to Pastor Jide, Kumapley found God and now his life is different.

Upon reflection, he wonders what could have happened to his wife and the problems she could have inherited without him. But he has God to thank for the change in his life.

Mr. Kumapley has a message for the world. “There is a living God and that we don’t control our lives; God does and that every opportunity He gives us in life, please let’s take it seriously; serve him with dedication and help others as much as possible to enjoy the good things that we know about God’s kingdom, so that they can also benefit.

We should not just be people that don’t contribute to God’s kingdom to win souls for Him. “My life has changed around and people who knew me before don’t believe that I have changed and accepted Christ as my personal savior.”

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DĨĂŶƚƐĞŵĂŶ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ E: WƌĞƐĞŶƚƐ 'ƌĂŶĚ /ŶĂƵŐƵƌĂƟŽŶ ^ĂƚƵƌĚĂLJ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϭϭ ƚ ^ƚ͘ >ƵĐLJ͛Ɛ ĂƚŚŽůŝĐ ŚƵƌĐŚ EĞǁĂƌŬ͕ E: &Žƌ ƟĐŬĞƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ /ƐĂĂĐ ŶĂŶĞͶϵϳϯ-ϯϰϮ-ϴϮϯϴ ^ĂŵƵĞů DĞŶƐĂŚͶϵϳϯ-ϴϮϬ-ϭϲϰϱ ZĞŐŝŶĂ ƉƉŝĂŚ DĞŶĚƐͶϵϬϴ-ϯϳϳ-ϰϲϲϰ :ĂĐŽď YƵĂŝŶŽŽͶϴϲϮ-Ϯϯϱ-ϵϰϱϬ &ŝŝĮ ƉƉŝĂŚ DĞŶĚƐͶϵϬϴ-ϯϳϳ-ϮϮϬϭ EĂŶĂ KƚǁƵǁĂͶϵϳϯ-ϵϵϭ-ϳϰϰϯ dŝŶĂ ,ĂŵŵŽŶĚ ϵϳϯ-ϯϵϯ-ϯϳϮϮ

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Mauritanian Diaspora in the United States Challenges General Aziz The Mauritanian community responded overwhelmingly to the call for the protest organized by the Mauritanian Diaspora living in the United States against the discriminatory census being conducted by the government of General Aziz. The protest took place in front of the Mauritanian Embassy in Washington, D.C., on August 15th, 2011. The purpose of the protest was to express the community’s disapproval of that new form of exclusion which mainly aims at denying black Mauritanians of their fundamental rights. The strategy consists of creating a fictitious Arab-Berber majority at the expense of the majority black population for the purpose of controlling the electoral process and the political power.

Utterly aware of the danger of the measure, Mauritanians came from all across the United States (Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago , District of Washington , D.C.), to denounce what they described as an unacceptable assault on their Mauritanian citizenship.

Participation was both broad and active. The large and remarkably visible presence of women and youth gave a higher mark to the protest. It is worth mentioning the presence of Mr. Samba Thiam, President of FLAM; he was wholeheartedly touched by the courage and determination of the youth who are the hope of the struggle.

After the reading and translation into all national languages (Arabic, Soninke, Wolof and Pulaar) of the letter of protest to General Aziz, the Diplomatic Security delivered it to Mauritanian diplomatic authorities.

Copies will be forwarded to President Barack Obama, Mr. John Boehner, the House Speaker; Mr. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader; Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Secretary of the State Department; and Mr. Ban Ki-moon, General Secretary of the United Nations. The letter calls for an immediate and unconditional stop to the proceedings of the census. It also demands that all

Mauritanians in New York in a demonstration in front of their country’s embasy to the United Nations

communities are duly represented in the planning and implementation of the census to ensure that it is conducted with fairness and full transparency.

The atmosphere was electrifying; the demonstrators chanted slogans such as "General Aziz, do not touch my nationality" or "General Aziz , who are you to question my Mauritanian citizenship issue?� Also, the protesters pointed out that they did not organize the demonstration to affirm their Mauritanian nationality, but rather, to challenge General Aziz to show proof of his. The determination of the demonstrators to confront General Aziz

through Mauritanian diplomatic authorities was clearly visible. This led the police of the District of Washington, DC to request support from the diplomatic security and secret service agents.

The ambiance of the event was captured live via the Voice of America, Radio Haare Lao, and other communication agencies. During the interviews conducted by the journalists witnessing the event, one could easily attest the reverberation of the crowd of protesters defending their dignity and fundamental rights.

Undoubtedly, the event was a great success. That achievement was made

possible because of the spirit of cooperation that guided the preparation of the event from start to finish. The ability to decide by consensus was one of the distinctive features of the group that coordinated it. Each person fully played the role for which he or she had volunteered. To capitalize on this growing momentum, the coordination has made the commitment to taking the necessary measures to strengthen this spirit of cooperation through a permanent process.

To the coordinating committee, the event was made possible by the Mauritanian civil society of the United States, the FLAM, the Federation of

AJD-MR in the United States / Canada, the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Mauritania, Harateen Institute for Research and Development, and Africa Peace Tour.

These organizations have been nothing short of effort and we owe the success of this demonstration to their collective engagement in this noble cause.

Coordination Mauritanian Diaspora for a Fair & Transparent Census August 18, 2011

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

Page 16

I Can't Eat With Any NPP Member–Anita De Sooso The National Women' s Organizer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Madam Anita De-Sooso has hit home that she cannot eat with any New Patriotic Party (NPP) hierarchy or affiliate member. She issued this statement when she appeared on Volta Power Fm in New York to answer questions pertaining to the growth of Ghanaian women, the unity of NDC and NPP as well as the general developments of Ghana.

With the mind and spirit of avuncular, I asked the dynamic and vocal politician to explain why she made such heart wrenching and divisive statement. The outspoken NDC Women' s Organizer said she does not hate NPP as a party or members of NPP but because of the ugly and unpalatable footage Ghana politics has become, she might get a huge problem if she takes any NPP member as her pal. She made this revelation after I asked her to reveal to the large and discerning audiences the total number of friends she has among NPP top guns. "None. I can't eat with any NPP member and I won't enter into any home of NPP to drink or eat because that could be misconstrued to mean bathing the same water in the same sink with them", she stated. She additionally stated that Ghana politics is going wayward and that the professions now need Pastors, Clergies, Bishops, Prophets, Imams and God fearing Christians and Moslems to enter into it to bring sanity or else, Ghana politics may be dead totally.

On maternal mortality rate in Ghana, I asked her to enumerate plans she has to help educate Ghanaian women, especially pregnant ladies. And without any hesitation, she said the NDC is helping women know simple things that pregnant women must know during and after pregnancy. She added that the government is providing laudable hospital equipments to furnish all the various hospitals to make delivery of child birth easier and be devoid of death. When I explained to her that maternal death in Ghana is high because of cultural, tribal, lack of resources and some religious faith, many mothers do not get the necessary care they need to carry and deliver their babies, and that according to the 2010 joint report issued by both Ghana Government and United Nations, 450 mothers died per every 100, 000 live births in 2008, she was calm and dejected.

However she said the government cannot solve all the problems alone and urge all husbands to treat their wives with respect and love them very well during pregnancy period and afterward.

When I touched on education for women, she was thrilled and quickly said Ghanaian women are well educated but thinks there is much room for improvement when it comes to higher education. "During this NDC 2 era (that' s since January, 2009), we have built over 1,300 under tree schools in Eastern and other parts of Ghana and we hope to build more schools to reduce the several under tree schools in Ghana", she said.

Mubarak trial judge summons top military officials Prosecutors said that police officer Mohamed Abdel Hakim had initially told the prosecution during their probe that he was given 300 shotgun cartridges, but in court he denied this.

Ms. Anita De Sooza, National Organizer of the ruling NDC political party in Ghana, Rev. Fred Hughes, International Ambassador and Chairman for Centenary Anniversary of Rosa Parks, Mr. Maxwell Poku of Max $ Max LLC,Newark, New Jersey and the nephew of one time Ghana's Premier K.A. Busia and quondam Consul General at Ghana's New York Consulate Mr. Obeng Gyan Busia in a pose at the office of Max $ Max in Newark, New Jersey last month.

"Do you think building school blocks alone is enough if other necessary things are not offered?", I asked.

"Well, that ' s why the NDC is using the single spine salary structure (SSSS) to pay teachers well and afford them a joyous accommodations to teach Ghanaian students well", she added. "Should education be free from grade one to the S.H.S level?", I asked.

"The government presently pays tuition and other fees for all public school students. The truth is,no government can provide free education from class one to the S.H.S level", she emphasized. This questions became important because many parents cry foul that they are not able to pay hefty fees and provide all other necessary demands their children ask them. And such inability of the under privilege parents compel them use their children as future hands and child labor, which does not help Ghana.

"You are National Women' s Organizer for NDC. Your government is in power. What can you do to reduce teenage pregnancy?", I asked. "Amissah, I think you are aware that teenage pregnancy is seen in every nation, including U.S here you live. No government can eradicate this problem. It is the duty of all parents to be up and doing to take good care of their children and inculcate the spirit of self-discipline and God fearing attitude in them", she lamented.

"Madam Anita De-Sooso, insulting slur is gradually destroying the true political convivial between both NDC and NPP. What should be done about politics of insults? Or do you think these two parties have any malediction on their heads and lips which cannot

be revoked?", I asked. "NPP started insults in our politics and we are meeting them boot-for- boot. Politics of insult has come to stay and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Anyone who want to enter into politics must be prepared and get ready because all over the world, insult has come to stay in the profession", she stated strongly.

"Madam, do you think this is the way Ghana must go to develop herself?", I asked. "Well, that's not the best way to go but so long as NPP continues to insult us (NDC people), we will not stop", she said.

"How democratic is NDC?", I asked the skillful politician. "NDC is very democratic in all things and you can use our recently primaries held in Sunyani as an example", she said.

"Why did you use your car to run over many pedestrians and NPP fans during the Akwatia parliamentary bi-election?", I opined. The intrepid woman said "NPP always use both atavistic and calumny methods to paint members of NDC as evils. I have not ran over anybody. I have not killed anybody. In NDC, we don't kill. It was rather NPP fans who wanted to lynch me and I told my driver to drive off their barricade. In fact, the NPP fans used so many objects to block the road thus my driver had to drive through the bush to run from them so it is not true I caused injurious scars or kill anybody".

When I told her many people are pleased with the way NDC has included in their government, young chaps, she was so elated and said many NPP fans recommend the NDC and that it is the wish of NPP youth that their leaders also allow them such opportunity to depict their skills and tal-

ent to help develop Ghana. She said NDC is now vibrant and dynamic than the past. She added that the NDC gives more respect, value and inclusion to women than NPP. She cited an instance where NPP charged their women parliamentary candidates 80 million cedis as compared to NDC women' s parliamentary candidates paid a scanty 10 million cedis.

Nevertheless, the vocal woman intimated that there are fewer women in global politics but NDC is doing everything feasible to get more women in their fold. And when I asked if there is anything NDC does wrong that she would like the NDC refrain from or change, she was direct and said she would be much delighted to see NDC construct more roads, build a lot more schools, provision of electricity and paying teachers well. When I asked her to lament about the indiscipline ethics of NDC foot soldiers, she took her fifth.

"There is allegations coming from some of your NDC gurus that the flag bearer of NPP, Nana Akufo Addo has skeletons in his cupboard. Do you think Nana Addo is a drug-addict?", I posed. "I can't answer this question.

No detail comment. But what I want to tell you is that this did not start from the NDC camp. It was NPP top gun who brought up this disgraceful issue against their own leader. And that was in 2007 when Alan Kyeremateng was contesting him", she landed. "Is that anything you want NPP change from?", I asked. "Yes. NPP is fine and they are doing their work. But the only thing I will be happier seeing them do is putting an end to politics of insults", she voiced it out gallantly.

I put before her that for every nation to

"The guns were not allowed to be with the unit. The instructions were for officers not even to take their personal guns," Abdel Hakim told the court.

When Abdel Hakim left the court, where the session often became heated, one lawyer shouted after him: "You liar, you liar. You have been paid.

This is the blood of your brother."

The judge looked to the cage and asked defendants if they had comments. Mubarak responded: "No I have no comment."

"I believe the prosecution were shocked today because all the witnesses that they had gathered have

turned into witnesses of denial (of the charges)," Essam el-Batawy, Adli's defense lawyer told Reuters. "This is a huge blow to the case."

There was no repeat Wednesday of the scuffles between Mubarak's opponents and supporters outside the court that accompanied others sessions. But some protesters still gathered.

"My friend dropped dead in Tahrir Square right next to me. He was shot in the head by the police," said Rabia al-Sheikh outside the court. "Why don't they let us inside to testify. Why are they calling on police to testify and

not the people?"

One of Wednesday's witnesses was an officer who quit the force in 2004, Tarek Abdel Monem, who described being injured by a shotgun on a bridge near Tahrir Square, the focus of the protests. He said a man next to him died from an injury to his face but he did not know what caused his death.

A top police officer told the court at an earlier session on Monday that he was not aware of any order to fire on protesters, but he said police were given live ammunition to protect the Interior Ministry.

develop and be known globally, her citizens or populace must be patriotic with full sense of nationalism. Again, I added that many Ghanaians have no sense of patriotism and the order of the day is people seeking for their own and neglecting the interest of Ghana.

Core values such as discipline, the fear of God, respect for the elderly, hardworking and love for all mankind play vital roles in any serious nation.

"Many Ghanaians have lost the love of nationalism or patriotism, especially Ghanaians living abroad. What must we do to love our own Ghana?", I asked.

"This is a very, very good question. We must have faith in ourselves and always remember where we come from.We must sit down and remember our true identity. Let us have faith and be proud Ghanaians. We all have our parts to contribute immensely to help develop Ghana just as our Big Six did.

Let' s respect Ghana because it' s a requirement which shows the respect we have for God", she stated.

"During the December 7, 2008 first round election, Nana Akufo Addo won the national vote cast by 49.13% as against President Mills' 47.92%. When the second round of election was conducted on December 28,2008 President Mills had 50.23% whereas Nana Akufo Addo got 49.77%, which means President Mills became president by a scanty 0.46% (less than 1%). If the 2012 election was cast today, how many percentage do you think NDC or President Mills can accumulate?", I asked.

"Amissah, during the just ended District Elections, we (NDC) won 63% so if I use all the eye pleasing developmental projects we have done and those we hope to finish before 2012 election, then I can say NDC will win next year' s election by 60%", the National Women' s Organizer for NDC, Madam Anita De-Sooso opined.

And when I asked what she thinks Ghanaians will remember the NDC with if NDC were to leave office today, she said the people of Ghana have seen that NDC is far better than NPP and thus there are a lot of things Ghanaians will have on their minds to remember NDC. "Can you enumerate specifically?", I asked.

"Well, developments are everywhere for all to see. People's lives are changed and many others will have theirs to be better before the 2012 election. Surely, President Mills will win 60% of next year' s election and he will hand over to his future successor on January 7, 2017", she joyously concluded.

Written by: Amissah, Kofi Isaac. email: isaac4honesty@gmail.com.

Facebook: Isaac Amissah.

This writer is Radio Talk Host of Volta Power Fm, New York. You can listen to his fire works program from wherever you live at on every Monday at www.voltapowerfm.com. The program commences from 4p.m -8p.m E/T of U.S (Ghana time 8

General Hussein Saeed Mohamed Moussa, in charge of communications for state security, said he believed the decision to issue arms was taken by senior officer Ahmed Ramzi.

Ramzi is one of six officers on trial with the former interior minister, the ex-president and Mubarak's two sons.

Alaa, Mubarak's eldest son, shook his head inside the cage at one point when a lawyer acting for victims' families tearfully addressed the court saying: "Mubarak was the worst president Egypt has ever seen."

Africanviews.org

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

Uganda: Wikileaks - Janet Behind Gays Bill Issac Imaka

The First Lady Ms. Janet Museveni, was behind the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, US Ambassador to Uganda, Jerry Lanier, said in a leaked diplomatic cable.

The revelation was made by Senior Presidential Adviser John Nagenda, during a discussion with a US embassy political officer.

In Mr. Lanier's comments which were leaked on September 1, by whistleblower Wikileaks, Mr. Nagenda is quoted to have told the US embassy that President Museveni is "quite intemperate" when it comes to homosexuality, but the First Lady, who he described as 'a very extreme woman,' "is ultimately behind the bill."

Mr. Nagenda further told the US government that the bill's most vociferous public supporter, the ex-Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo, was responsible for a campaign of mass arrests - known by the Swahili term 'panda gari' - during the Obote II regime.

Mr. Nagenda said Buturo is using the antihomosexuality legislation to redefine himself and "will do anything in his power to be a populist." He advised the US and other donors to refrain from publicly condemning the Bill as this fuels the anti-homosexual and anti-western rhetoric of the Bill's proponents.

When contacted, Mr. Nagenda agreed to the

Page 17

Nigeria: Jonathan's First 100 Days - Neither Here Nor There!

Dapo Akinrefon and Charles Kumolu

contents in the Wikileaks report saying it is a well representation of what he discussed with the US embassy political officer.

"There must be a word here and there which is inaccurate but the overall all spirit of what I said is well represented," he said. "I had a conversation with President Yoweri Museveni the political officer who came to my son show that President Museveni was perhouse and we discussed issues about the hosuaded by the US to oppose the Bill and this mosexuality bill." trickled to the Cabinet which hatched a plan The Bill was brought to Parliament on October 14, 2009 by Ndorwa West MP David Ba- to quietly shelve the Bill without agitating core members of the National Resistance hati as a private Members Bill and was Movement caucus. aimed at criminalizing the act of same sex "He assured the US delegation that nobody relationships and also proposes a death in Uganda would be executed for homosexpenalty for people who have previous conual behavior. Don't push it, warned Musevvictions, are HIV positive, or engage in sexeni, "I'll handle it," a cable sent from the US ual acts with people of the same sex or for Embassy in Addis Ababa in February 2010 adults who do so with those under 18 years quotes President Museveni's stand on the of age. anti-homosexuality Bill during a discussion On the advice of the ruling party lawyer, Mr. with Mr. Carson.

Adolf Mwesige, Cabinet early this year Mr. Lanier is also quoted saying that the junthrew out the anti-homosexuality Bill arguior minister of Foreign Affairs Okello Oryem ing that it was unnecessary because governassured the Under Secretary for Democracy ment has a number of laws criminalizing and Global Affairs Maria Otero that Cabinet homosexual activities. is working quietly to water-down or derail But different confidential diplomatic briefthe legislation. ings to Washington by both Ambassador The Monitor/allAfrica.com Lanier and Assistant Secretary Johnnie Car-

The first hundred days of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration mean different things to most Nigerians. For associates and officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, it has been a time of progressive planning for the envisaged execution of the transformation agenda.

However, for several others especially those in the opposition, it has been "100 days of lost opportunities," especially going by the assessment of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Jonathan's main rival at the last presidential elections.

Just before the 100 days landmark, the administration conveyed to Nigerians its achievements in different sectors of governance notably, security, recovery of looted national treasure, the rule of law and foreign policy.

Indeed, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, speaking to newsmen on the eve of the landmark pointed at what he referred to as the stream of foreign leaders into the country as one important achievement of the Jonathan administration.

"The fact that leaders all over the world have being coming to Nigeria on virtually daily basis to show solidarity to the President and this government shows that Goodluck Jonathan we are on course," he said in an interview with newsmen on the eve of the landmark last Monday.

Other achievements the presidency is claiming to its credit in the last 100 days include observance of the rule of law, a new thrust in boosting the nation's trade and investment climate, expansion of the oil sector, reduction in the inflation rate, boosting power generation and empowerment of the youth and the promotion of women in the governance of the country.

In steering the economy towards a healthier state the administration empowered an economic team headed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

One critical thrust of the administration's initiative to boost the nation's economy is the decision to boost the nation's trade and investment climate. In that direction, the President appointed erstwhile Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, as the minister of a new Ministry, Ministry of Trade and Investment.

Also, as part of efforts at creating investment friendly environment, the administration, it was gathered, established an Automotive Development Fund.

The government in the last 100 days has credited to itself the reduction of the inflation rate.

The presidency noted that "inflation rate has been reducing as the administration enforces tighter fiscal policies. In June the Consumer Price Index revealed an inflation rate of 10.2% which dropped to 9.4% in July being the lowest rate in the last four years."

Despite earlier criticisms of its depletion of foreign reserves and the excess crude account, the administration said that foreign reserves had risen by 10% to $34 Billion.

According to the presidency, "Nigeria's GDP growth rate month over month has continued to grow from 6.7% in May to 6.9% in July of 2011.Nigeria has been declared one of the top three investment destinations of choice in Africa (number 2) by the independent Africa Business Panel in The Netherlands."

One remarkable area the Jonathan administration has affected the citizens is in the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage Act which has seen the least federal worker earning a minimum of N18,000 per month. The President's assent to the bill has also helped to increase the minimum wage in the states and members of the National Youth Service Corps who had their basic monthly allowance increased from N9,700 to N19,800.

In his effort to give a gender balance to governance, the President took the unique step of proactively reserving 35 per cent of cabinet positions for women despite immense pressures.

However, the administration has been seriously challenged in the provision of security.

Jonathan's first 100 days saw a relentless assault on the security of lives of the citizenry with sectarian crises on the Plateau and unprecedented attacks on national and international institutions.

After Boko Haram's bomb attack on the Police Headquarters, the Islamic group went on to climax its brazenness with the attack on the United Nations building in Abuja. The brazenness of the attacks has progressively undermined the credibility and reputation of the Jonathan administration.

Indeed, General Buhari described the first 100 days of President Jonathan as days of lost opportunities.

Speaking through his spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, he said: "It has been 100 days of non-disappointment because he has performed to expectations of non-performance.

"There are so many things happening that need attention and they are not things that can be done overnight. So, it is a bit early to comment on this because of the nature of challenges that are confronting the government. The challenges confronting his administration are so major that it will be so unrealistic of us to expect things to be done in a hundred days."

Vanguard/allAfrica.com

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

Page 18

Environment Ghana: Eco-Friendly 'One Airport Square' to Boost Construction Industry Phyllis D. Osabutey

The Airport City in Accra is set to see the emergence of yet another magnificent edifice, the "One Airport Square", which would be the first green certified commercial building in Ghana, with the aim to achieve four stars in the Green Star Rating.

The One Airport Square, set to be completed in 2013, would be the most environmentally friendly office complex in Ghana, and the benchmark against which Ghana's Green Building Council would grant all future certifications.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Accra on Thursday, the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Alban Bagbin, said, "The construction of this building, thus, ushers Ghana into an era of modernization of its construction industry."

According to him, the project had come at an opportune time as the nation grapples with issues connected

with the environment, energy efficiency, waste disposal, utilization of local building materials, and job creation.

He lamented that the loss of biological diversity accelerates the scope of ecosystem degradation, and the continual expansion of the depletion of resources, while buildings are one of the largest consumers of energy, accounting for between 30 to 40% of global energy use.

In view of this, and the fact that the impact of global warming had taken a drastic toll in the world, "The design and construction of green structures is, therefore, critical in the fight against climate change."

Also, the government, being aware of these challenges, was committed to contributing towards the attainment of a sustainable environment, through programmes and policies to address them, said the Minister.

He said though Green buildings typically cost 3 - 5% more than standard buildings, it reduces carbon dioxide

emissions by more than 35%, and ensures carbon dioxide neutrality in some cases, reduces waste output by 70%, water usage by 40%, and energy usage between 30 - 50%.

He further stated that the construction of the project was commendable, because the project would employ over 150 construction workers and source over 40% of all materials locally, to help stimulate the regional economy.

Additionally, he pledged the government's support to any investor that would partner his ministry in the housing sector to construct affordable housing, and utilize local building materials in its projects, as "Government is committed to raising the utilization of local building materials to 60% by the year 2015."

The organization undertaking the project is Actis, a leading private equity investor, with a growing portfolio of investments in Asia, Africa and Latin America, in partnership with its portfolio company, Laurus Development Partners.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Laurus, Carlo Matta, in a welcome message, noted that the "One Airport Square" project shows Actis' commitment to bring more investment and projects that were of quality and relevant to environmental standards, to Ghana.

According to him, Ghana deserved such an edifice, which was enabled by the collaboration of great minds, stressing, "One Airport Square is a great example of how mixing Ghanaian expertise and international best practices can achieve outstanding results. We hope this project will set the standard in the country's real estate industry."

Also, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hannah Tetteh, noted that the design of the building incorporates both traditional and modern elements, which would be Ghana's crystal palace and iconic landmark for Accra and West Africa.

She observed that it took a lot to invest in such projects, often undertaken by

private companies; hence, the government ought to encourage investors, and assist them within the framework of the law.

Also, she urged the government to provide support, where necessary, to ensure that the project was completed within time, to reinforce Ghana's image as the favorable place to do business in the sub-region.

The One Airport Square, which has been designed by award-wining Italian architect Mario Cucinella, would comprise nine floors of office space, and 2,000 square meters of retail, including cafes, shops and bars, while serving as a social gathering point for local residents, office workers and visitors.

Additional specifications include natural ventilation, via the central atrium, rain water recycling, and concrete overhangs, which prevent overheating, and lower energy consumption among others.

Source: Ghanaian Chronicle

Uganda: NWSC to Produce Power From Sewage Josephine Maseruka NATIONAL Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) will soon start producing electricity from sewage.

The project will start at the Nakivubo sewage plant, which handles 45,000 cubic meters of sewage per day.

Phiona Wall, the corporation's spokesperson, yesterday said the technology to be used will be able to capture methane a gas which causes the stench at sewage plants.

"We will capture methane gas and convert it to bio-gas to produce electricity, which will run the plant. The excess

will be connected to the national grid," she explained.

To control sewage bursts in the city, the corporation has started constructing sewage plants at Lubigi, Kinawataka and Nakivubo.

The 82m euros (about sh332b) project is funded by the European Union, the Germany Development Agency, the African Development Bank and the Uganda Government.

MPs on the natural resources committee recently expressed concern over the stench in the city due to sewage bursts.

The Lubigi sewage treatment plant in

Kawempe division, which has been resisted by residents and local leaders, will handle 5,400 cubic meters of sewage per day. When completed, it will raise the sewage coverage in Kampala to 33%, up from 7%.

Although residents are blaming the increasing floods on the sewage plant, Wall refuted the claims, arguing: "We are not destroying the wetland. We need it as a filter."

"The plants will not have structures as most people think. We shall put there ponds, which will not harm the environment. The Kinawataka plant will handle 8,000 cubic meters of sewage,"

she said.

Wall said although the Bugolobi sewage treatment plant constructed in 1940 has a capacity of 33,000 cubic meters per day, it only handles 17,000 per day.

"The underutilization is due to the limited piped connections and obsolete and very old pipes, making the sewage system insufficient," she explained.

According to NWSC officials, their biggest problem is rubbish disposal, especially in markets, taxi parks and crowded areas such as slums.

Kiyembe in the city center has been identified as a problematic area. Tai-

lors dump textile cuttings in the sewage line, causing frequent sewage bursts around the Old Taxi Park.

Urbanization has also affected the dilapidated sewage pipeline, which was initially to serve about 500,000 people.

Encroaching on the NWSC property is also blamed for the sewage bursts, especially in Katanga, a Kampala suburb near Wandegeya, where most students' hostels have been built on sewer lines.

Source: New Vision

Nigeria: Dire Pollution in Ogoniland but Little Action So Far Port Harcourt — An August 2011 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) study has found hazardous levels of pollution in Ogoniland in southern Nigeria's Niger Delta, lending credence to claims by locals of environmental damage, health problems and lost livelihoods as a result of 50 years of oil operations in the area.

The UNEP report found oil spills occur with "alarming regularity" and residents had been exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons in air, water and soil. Some 28 wells across 10 communities were found to be contaminated, and in one community, Nisisioken Ogale, water was being drunk from wells containing 900 times the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of benzene, a carcinogen.

Other findings include destruction of fish habitats - including mangroves and soil contamination found at depths of up to five meters. It is estimated a clean-up operation will take up to 30 years to return contaminated drinking water, land, creeks and ecosystems back to full health.

A history of oil spills and pollution has created tensions in the region. Citizens have also complained that they have not benefited from the oil wealth in the area.

Though oil has not been produced in Ogoniland since 1993, infrastructure remains, including active oil pipelines that cross the area. Sabotage and bunkering has added to spills in the Niger Delta.

The UNEP report, carried out at the request of the government, said health symptoms were not recorded in sufficient detail to be conclusively attributed to pollution, but for locals in Bodo the connection is clear: The community suffered two major oil spills in 2008 from pipes operated by Shell Petroleum Development Com-

pany (SPDC), which is a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Shell International, Elf and Agip.

Contaminated wells A man who lives close to the spill, who only gave his name as Nebachi, told IRIN his whole family was sick.

"Our source of drinking water is the well. By the time we fetch water from the well, we see oil on it and that is what we drink," he said. "We breathe the polluted air. In fact as I am talking with you now, I have chest pain...

Everybody in my house is sick."

Other residents told IRIN they now suffered burning sensations in their eyes at night, respiratory problems, frequent rashes and bloody stools.

Comfort Amadi, the chief nursing officer at Bodo General Hospital, told IRIN common problems believed to be caused by pollution were diarrhea and respiratory infections. She added: "We often have cases of pregnant women having miscarriages. Due to the oil spillage, people also suffer from malaria as a result of the stagnant water around."

Babiana Uporo, a nursing officer at the hospital, agreed diarrhea and respiratory infections were common. "The whole place is polluted and filled with smoke [from gas flares]."

Aster van Kregten, a researcher on Nigeria with Amnesty International, said in interviews with Bodo residents, people told her "they have problems [such as] rashes, headaches and breathing problems."

Joanna Tempowski, a WHO scientist, said all these symptoms, aside from miscarriages, "are consistent with exposure to hydrocarbons and their combustion products". She said further investigation would be necessary to determine if the reported miscarriages

could be attributed to pollution.

Insufficient response?

Though both Shell and the Nigerian government have accepted the recommendations of the report - including establishing a US$1 billion fund for the clean-up and addressing issues caused by the pollution - very little is clear about what specific action will be taken, or when.

lution were found in the US, Congressmen would be having hysterics and demanding a comprehensive set of immediate responses," he said.

Newsom pointed out that UNEP had informed the Nigerian government in December 2010 of the dangerously high levels of contamination in drinking water in Nisisioken Ogale, but that no action was taken until the report was released.

Amnesty International's van Kregten said: "You would expect authorities to do more in terms of emergency measures." Both Van Kregten and Jeremiah Leela, a senior health worker in Bodo, told IRIN they would like to see the authorities investigate health impacts more widely.

Committee

Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan

The report contained emergency recommendations around warning people about contamination, supplying drinking water to families with only access to contaminated sources, and monitoring the health of people in Nisisioken Ogale. Some progress has been made here: Residents have been warned about contaminated water sources and emergency drinking water has been trucked in to some of the most deeply affected communities by the state government.

But Chris Newsom from the Port Harcourt office of NGO Stakeholder Democracy Network said the response is only part of what is needed for such a dire situation. "If those levels of pol-

The Nigerian government has formed a committee to look at the recommendations. However, despite pressure from Ogoni elders in early September, the committee is still considering its response and no decisions have been announced.

A spokesperson for Shell said: "SPDC will support the [Nigerian] government to implement emergency measures as soon as possible," but was also unable to give any details of action.

"This report should be used to put pressure on the government and oil companies to clean up and compensate people harmed by these spills," said Eric Guttschuss, a researcher on Nigeria with Human Rights Watch.Implementing the recommendations of the report and cleaning up the spills will, however, only assist Ogoniland - a small part of the oil-rich Niger Delta while it is suspected pollution extends much further. "The Ogoni oil spills are only the tip of the iceberg; there have been serious spills across the Niger Delta for decades," Newsom said.

Ogoniland covers just 1,000 of the Niger Delta's 70,000 sq. km.

"Since the terrain, operator and regulators are similar in other parts of the Niger Delta, it is a reasonable assumption to make that there are similar issues in other parts of the Niger Delta," said a UNEP spokesperson.

Weak regulatory environment Poor industry practice and the weak regulatory environment are part of the problem.

While a spokesperson for Shell said "SPDC has always cleaned up spills from its facilities no matter what the cause," the UNEP report found 10 of the 15 sites investigated which Shell claimed were remediated were found to contain pollution exceeding SPDC and government standards. "SPDC's own procedures have not been applied, creating public safety issues," the report said.

In response, Shell's spokesperson would only say they were "looking very closely at the report".

The government largely relies on the word of oil companies, which say they clean up spills, but it is apparent from the report that this does not always happen, Guttschuss said, pointing out that the Nigerian government is a majority partner in joint ventures with many of these oil companies, including Shell, and the regulatory environment is very weak.

According to Van Kregten, while oil companies frequently blame oil spills on deliberate sabotage, it is impossible to verify this.

Source: IRIN [This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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Sport Asamoah Gyan moves to UAE club Al Ain Ghana and Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan has signed for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates on a one-year loan deal, SuperSport.com can confirm.

In a move that is as shocking as it unfolds, the Emirati club has offered the player a one year loan deal that would see him earn about twice the wages he gets at Sunderland.

“I have signed for Al Ain. I know this move will come as a surprise to many, considering the things that I have said in the past month.”

The player met representatives of the club in Accra in the past week, at about the same time he was preparing to represent his country against Swaziland in the African Cup qualifiers.

He then met representatives of the club in London as the Black Stars were readying to play Brazil in an international friendly. The move was finally done in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

“Sometimes fans would not understand why we do certain things, but in due course everything will come to light.”

As we speak, Gyan is on his way to Abu Dhabi to meet Al Ain executives, where he completes his medical. He will be then unveiled to the expectant Al Ain fans.

The news first broke out on Arabic sports forums online early on Saturday morning, with some Arabic channels also hinting at it as well. Twitter also picked it up early Saturday morning, but the Al Ain officials only confirmed it in the last hour.

On his part, His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah bin Bdoh, Member of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural deal the club was excited with the deal.

“We fully intend to show our ambitions in the league and in the Asian Champions League in the future and we think Asamoah Gyan would be important in this task.

"He is ready physically and technically.

Gyan would also inspire the younger players in our team.”

The deal with Gyan is also a political move, as the new members of the Al Ain team promised fans to use the club’s wealth to sign big players from all over the world. Pictures of Gyan in an Al Ain shirt, which were taken in London, were already circulating early

Liberia: Weah Abandoned Edwin G. Genoway, Jr

Asamoah Gyan Saturday morning on the popular Arabic football forum 'Koora' But perhaps the move is not too surprising, considering there have been rumors for months about his wish to leave Sunderland for other leagues that would pay him more.

Galatasaray had been mentioned, as had Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor. Gyan told this site last week that he was not going anywhere and that "it would be ungrateful to Sunderland".

What Sunderland fans would feel now remains to be seen, but it would likely not be pretty.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: "Anyone who has seen Asamoah play

will know that he hasn't been himself in recent months. This option suits all parties at the present time and the club is well-protected in the deal.

He continued: "Asamoah has three years remaining on his contract and of course my wish would be that he finds his spark again and we see him in red and white stripes next season in the form that first attracted us to him."

Gyan joined Sunderland from French side Rennes in August 2010, making 37 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats and scoring 11 goals.

Source: Supersport.com

They were once intimate friends on the soccer pitch, but politics has a way of setting buddies apart as some former Lone Star players have demonstrated by turning their back against George Manneh Weah, the torchbearer of Liberian football to pledge support to incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her second term bid.

The players, under the banner 'UP Soccer Legends for Ellen' have joined the governing Unity Party, promising to campaign through the length and breadth of Liberia for the incumbent. They maintained that among the 10 plus presidential candidates in the race, only President Sirleaf can move Liberia forward right now.

Addressing a news conference in Monrovia, they said the presidency is not about footballer or friendship, but competence, and described Madam Sirleaf as a real mother, with the capability to deliver development to the people at all times.

In a position statement read by the nation's once celebrated soccer star James Salinsa Debbah, outlined the many achievements of President Sirleaf in the last six years.

Debbah said the endorsement of President Sirleaf is not based on prejudice against George Weah. He noted that the he and his colleagues took the decision based on their conviction and the level of developments the incumbent has achieved since her ascendency.

He described the Unity Party-led government as development-oriented, noting that the government has made significant impact that even the blind can feel its presence, pointing to the construction of roads, hospitals, schools as well as provision of electricity, amongst others as some major achievements of the Sir-

leaf Administration.

Of the more than twenty-six players, who pledged their support to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, only five of them were at the news conference, including James Debbah, Frank Seator, and Jonathan Boye Charles Segbe. Others were Christopher Wleh and Dionysuis Sebwe.

Asked to Comment on their current relationship with Weah, the players

George M.Weah said the CDC Vice Standard Bearer remains a good friend, but noted that politics is not based on friendship, but what a person is capable of providing to the people.

"And we believe only President Sirleaf right now can do it for the people, can't you see what this lady has done over the years and the kind of transformation that has taken place in the lives of us all," they noted in the statement.

Meanwhile, the Unity Party Soccer Legends have called on President Sirleaf to support street football and encourage young players to go to school, saying the lack of education has been a major problem for most Liberian players.

Source: The New Dawn. /AllAfrica Global

Ghana: Premier League Set to Commence On Oct. 9 The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tentatively fixed the commencement of the 2011/2010 Premier League for Sunday, October 9, 2011.

According to the Premier League Board (PLB), the registration of players exercise ends on September 16 to be followed by the publication period from 19-23 September, 2011.

The verification process of the players' register will take place from 26-30 September, 2011, with league kick-off nine days later.

The new season will be heralded by the Super Cup to be contested between league champions, Berekum Chelsea and FC Nania, winners of the FA Cup. The three newly promoted clubs are Bechem United, Wassaman United and Tema Youth, who are returning to the top flight for the first time since 2008. allAfrica.com

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Amandla Vol. 10 Issue 9 Sept. 15 - October 16

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