Afrikan Post July 2019

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Vol 11 Issue 7

July 2019

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Zimbabwe, Gambia, Ghana and Senegal win gold at the 2019 Pan-African Robotics Competition Pg. 12

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From the Editor

O u r G r ea tes t G lor y is n o t in n ever f allin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll .

We ar e co mmittted to br in g in g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r o m Af r ica a n d th e D ia s por a . Yo u ju ly als o vis it o u r web s ite a t www. af r ikan po s t.com f o r d aily n ews u p d ates o n Af r ica .

D is claimer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews pap er ar e th o s e o f th e a u th o r s an d do n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Pos t . All commen ts a n d s u gges tion s ar e welco me.

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Zimbabwe, Gambia, Ghana and Senegal win gold at the 2019 Pan-African Robotics Competition

Afrikan Post

George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor

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Call 703- 725- 6968 or E-mail: editor@afrikanpost.com Address: Bright House Productions 6236 Oscar Court Woodbridge VA 22193 D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 11 Issue 7

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

2019 Summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Pg. 7

Africa gets another female Chief Justice Pg. 30 U.S. Dignitaries Attend State Dinner in Côte d’Ivoire Page 12

HER PAGE

You Have No Idea Pg. 11

U.S. Issues Revised Visa Reciprocity Fees for Nigeria Pg. 8

UPDATE

United States and Côte d’Ivoire to Co-host the 2019 AGOA Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Page 3

The 2019 edition of the Pan-African Robotics Competition (PARC) has ended in Accra. Zimbabwe, Gambia, Ghana and Senegal emerged winners of the four major categories against competition from other 20 plus countries including the United States of America representing the diaspora.

The 5th edition of the competition, held in Ghana, started from Dakar, Senegal in 2015. This year’s competition brought together students from middle school, high school and universities from the various countries to compete for gold and develop new technologies that will help solve some of Africa’s problems.

The participating countries included Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, United States of America (diaspora) and Zimbabwe.

At the end of the four-day event on July 6 held under the theme, ‘Solving Challenges: The making of African Smart Cities’, Zimbabwe emerged winner in the Techs League, Gambia was first in the Stars League, Ghana was first in the Makers League and Senegal emerged winners for the Engineers league.

According to the 2019 coordinator for the PARC, Fatima Kebe, each level is given their own challenge based off a problem in Africa.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Central University College of Ghana – the venue for the competition – Professor John Ofosu-Anim emphasized the importance of the competition, stating that “robots will soon be able to read massive written information and be able to assist professionals like Doctors and Lawyers to arrive at more informed decisions and Africa should not be left out of the increasing importance of robots.”

He also stressed the great impact robots are able to

make in various aspects of human lives, including medicine, agriculture, surveillance, construction and education.

“It is important for African countries to take advantage of this great resource in the light of the speedy life and increased consumption as well as the rate of expansion of cities in Africa thereby creating the need for balance in their management. Robots are believed to be a great tool for this balance,” he said.

The PARC was created to challenge African students to devise solutions for the planning, design, management and transformation of future African cities in an increasingly complex urban environment using science and technology.

Topics explored include Artificial Intelligence, smart and renewable energy, cybersecurity, driverless cars, citizen design and cognitive computing, smart transportation among others.

Many African countries have taken a keen interest in robotics competitions and have gone further to win international events. An all-girls team from Ghana in May won the topmost position at the World Robofest Championship in the United States by beating teams from the United States, Mexico, Egypt, South Korea and dozens of others.

Named Team Acrobot, the nine girls from the Methodist Girls’ High School in the Eastern Region of Ghana dominated the 10 broad and challenging categories of the championship held from May 16 to 18 at the Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Southfield, Michigan, and won the hearts of their country. https://face2faceafrica.com

U.S. Grant Boosts Security at Senegal Airport

Department of State Equipment Grant Boosts Security at Senegal Airport U.S. and Senegalese officials today inaugurated two body scanners and four explosives trace detectors at the passenger checkpoint for outbound flights inside Blaise Diagne International Airport, about 25 miles east of the Senegalese capital of Dakar. The U.S. Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program provided the equipment with funding and guidance from the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

The equipment grant, worth more than $800,000, is the latest component of a broader aviation securityenhancement program provided to the Government of Senegal by ATA that totals $1.4 million. This past spring, ATA delivered mentoring and training in airport security management and airport patrol management to civil and law enforcement authorities from the seven agencies responsible for Senegal’s airport and aviation security. Conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the ATA training focused on maintaining and improving the airport’s security in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization and TSA standards.

The ATA program has been delivering counterterrorism training in Senegal since 1985.The airport security training and equipment program further cements our relationship and underscores the continued close partnership that the United States has

with Senegal, which has emerged as a leader in the fight against terrorism in West Africa.

About the Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) Program

Established in 1983, the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program is the U.S. Government’s premier counterterrorism training and equipment provider for foreign law enforcement agencies. All ATA assistance is delivered within a rule-of-law framework that promotes respect for human rights and fosters development of a self-sustaining capability through best practices such as embedded mentors and train-the-trainer programs.

ATA receives funding and policy guidance from the Bureau of Counterterrorism and is administered by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Training Directorate.

ATA builds the critical counterterrorism capabilities of law enforcement partners abroad with both knowledge-enhancing training courses and tactical skills development to detect, deter, and disrupt terrorist activities. With its cutting-edge curriculum and equipment grants, the ATA program contributes greatly to the security of our nation, our partners worldwide, and overall international peace and stability.

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Asst. Sec. for Consular Affairs Carl Risch Travels to Kenya and Ghana

Department of State

Washington, DC June 11, 2019

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch is traveling June 10-15 to Nairobi, Kenya, and Accra, Ghana. The Assistant Secretary will meet with embassy staff and observe consular operations in Nairobi. While in Ghana, he will meet with Ghanaian officials as well as consular staff. In both cities, the Assistant Secretary will underscore our deep and sustained commitment to the protection of U.S. citizens overseas and the facilitation of legitimate travel to the United States.

https://oaa.dc.gov

2019 Summit of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

Assistant Secretary of State Marie Royce poses with a few of the summit participants Photo: U.S. State Department

Office of the Spokesperson Department of State

Washington, DC July 25, 2019

Nearly 700 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, chosen from more than 38,000 applicants, will meet with U.S. government officials, civil society and private sector leaders at the State Department-sponsored Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit from July 29-31 in Washington D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit fosters and builds relationships that support and expand U.S.-Africa cooperation.

The kickoff to the summit will include remarks from Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, followed by a keynote speech from Kay Coles James, President of The Heritage Foundation. The Summit will feature a Policy Spotlight Plenary with Assistant Secretary of African Affairs Tibor Nagy, breakout sessions with senior U.S. government officials on a range of U.S. foreign policy priorities throughout Africa, such as advancing trade to increase prosperity, short presentations by the Fellows themselves, and will close with Malawian innovator, engineer, and author, William Kamkwamba. The young African leaders are convening in Washington after six weeks of academic study and leadership training at 27 higher education institutions across the United States as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Alumni of the Fellowship continue to play a key role in strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), a key element in the United States’ effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. https://amipnewsonline.org

2 Africans Among 2019 International Religious Freedom Award Recipients July

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U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo poses for a photo with the 2019 International Religious Freedom Award Recipients (L to R) William Warda, Pascale Warda, Ivanir dos Santos, Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan and Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud Photo: U.S. State Department On July 17, Secretary Pompeo will host the State Department’s first-ever International Religious Freedom Awards ceremony to honor extraordinary advocates of religious freedom from around the world at 6:00 p.m.

women’s rights, and rights awareness for young Sudanese citizens. Through his legal practice, he has defended minority religious leaders targeted for arrest on specious charges following government interference in their activities. A member of Sudan’s The full biographies of the 2019 awardees can be found Muslim majority, Mohamed has become a trusted here and their names are listed below: ally of minority communities and has helped them navigate the country’s complex judicial system, Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan of Sudan has worked tirelessdeploying his strong technical knowledge in internaly to defend the rights of Sudan’s religious minorities, both tional human rights law and Sudanese constitutional in his legal casework and through public advocacy. law, and his outstanding dedication to use the law as Imam Abubakar Abdullahi of Nigeria selflessly risked his a force for good. Mohamed’s tireless defense of reliown life to save members of another religious community, gious minorities in Sudan is evidence of his work as who would have likely been killed without his intervena true champion of religious freedom. tion.

Ivanir dos Santos of Brazil worked exhaustively to support Imam Abubakar Abdullahi interfaith dialogue, combat discrimination, and create Faith leader mechanisms for the protection of vulnerable groups.

Nigeria William and Pascale Warda of Iraq have devoted their lives Imam Abubakar Abdullahi selflessly risked his own to advancing religious freedom and other human rights life to save members of another religious communicauses in Iraq. ty, who would have likely been killed without his Salpy Eskidjian Weiderud of Cyprus has fully committed intervention. On June 23, 2018, ethnic Fulani herdsherself to working with religious leaders, faith-based men, who are predominantly Muslim, launched organizations, and religious communities on a broad range coordinated attacks on 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, of issues, including religious freedom. She is also one of killing hundreds of ethnic Berom farmers, who are the architects and facilitators of an unprecedented peacepredominantly Christian. As Imam Abdullahi was building initiative in Cyprus known as the Religious Track finishing midday prayers, he and his congregation of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the heard gunshots and went outside to see members of Embassy of Sweden based in Nicosia, Cyprus. the town’s Christian community fleeing.

Instinctively, the Imam ushered 262 Christians into the mosque and his home next to the mosque. The Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan Imam then went outside to confront the gunmen and Sudanese Human Rights Activist he refused to allow them to enter, pleading with Sudan them to spare the Christians inside, even offering to Mohamed Yosaif Abdalrahan is a human rights lawyer at sacrifice his life for theirs. Although the gunmen the Sudanese Human Rights Initiative (SHRI). He has killed 84 people in Nghar village that day, Imam worked tirelessly to defend the rights of Sudan’s religious Abdullahi’s actions saved the lives of hunminorities, both in his legal casework and through public advocacy. At SHRI, Mohamed leads and develops advoca- dreds more. Born in Bauchi State around 1936, the Imam has lived in Nghar for 60 cy campaigns to strengthen legal protections for minority years and led the Muslim community through religious communities and to end the government’s properthe mosque, which was built on land provided ty confiscations targeting religious minorities. He has by the Christian community. Imam organized trainings on human rights and journalism,

Abdullahi’s courage in the face of imminent

Asst. Sec. Marie Royce Travels to Ghana and Liberia July

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Office of the Spokesperson Department of State

Washington, DC

Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce will travel to Ghana and Liberia from June 24 to 29. She will meet with government officials, private sector representatives, local entrepreneurs, exchange program alumni, and university administrators to promote and strengthen the State Department’s cultural and educational diplomacy efforts, and highlight support for entrepreneurship in Africa.

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In Ghana, Assistant Secretary Royce will formally launch the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program. She will also deliver a keynote address to exchange program alumni from 14 African countries at an Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminar on women’s entrepreneurship.

In Liberia, Assistant Secretary Royce will meet with the President of Liberia George Weah, and will deliver the keynote address at the USAID Liberia Development Conference. Her visit will focus on strengthening higher education institutions, encouraging women’s entrepreneurship, and furthering international exchanges between the U.S. and Liberia. Assistant Secretary Royce will also make an important donation of archival documents on behalf of the United States to the Liberian National Museum.

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Under Sec. Hale Meets Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre

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Office of the Spokesperson Department of State

Washington, DC

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale Meeting with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre 08/05/2019 03:52 PM EDT

The following statement is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met today with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre in Mogadishu, Somalia. The Under Secretary reaffirmed America’s commitment to assist Somalia with political reform, economic development, and stabilization efforts.

The Prime Minster briefed the Under Secretary on recent political and security developments and Somalia’s progress towards meeting the conditions for debt relief that would allow Somalia to resume borrowing from international financial institutions. The Under Secretary expressed our expectation of a peaceful and credible election in the Somali federal member state of Jubaland later this month, and encouraged progress to allow one-person, one-vote Somali national elections beginning next year.

They agreed on the value of security operations to liberate areas from al-Shabaab and preparing Somali forces to take over from the African Union Mission to Somalia.

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U.S. and Mozambique Sign Deal for LNG Terminal

Office of Public Affairs

Under Secretary David Hale and Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kyayre Photo: Horn Diplomat

2019

Photo: Corporate Council on Africa

Department of Commerce

Washington, DC

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Deputy Secretary Kelley and U.S. Government Officials Join the Corporate Council on Africa for Historic Anadarko Signing MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE – On behalf of Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Karen Dunn Kelley led a U.S. government delegation to witness the historic final investment decision signing between Anadarko Petroleum of Woodlands, Texas, and the Government of Mozambique. The investment of the Anadarko LNG terminal supports the largest U.S. sourced investment on the African continent in history at $20 billion.

“The Trump Administration is committed to increasing trade with African nations where all can reap the benefits of new investments and economic growth,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Karen Dunn Kelley. “American companies and products set the standard in the international market and the historic deal signing between Anadarko Petroleum and the Government of Mozambique reaffirms the goal of achieving long term economic development throughout the region.”

The U.S. government involvement and visit underscores the U.S. commitment to expanding trade, investment and commercial ties between Mozambique and the United States, and furthermore, promoting the strong bond between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa.

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U.S. Dedicates New Embassy in Zimbabwe

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U.S. Engagement with Africa

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around the United States to visit and talk with people like you.

And when I do, people are curious. They want to know – what is it that we are doing in Africa?

How are our tax dollars being put to use in our engagement on the continent?

How are we supporting U.S. companies to create partnerships and invest in Africa?

Let me begin by saying things have changed dramatically in Africa from when I became a diplomat in 1978.

Tibor P. Nagy, Jr. Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs Rice University, Houston, TX The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Dedicates the New U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe

As a display of our enduring friendship, U.S. Ambassador Brian A. Nichols and Director of the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Tad Davis, with local officials, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe today.

The new U.S. Embassy provides a safe and secure platform for diplomacy and includes a new chancery, a Marine security guard residence, and support facilities. It includes design elements reminiscent of Great Zimbabwe and locally sourced materials, such as brick and black granite, that reflect our appreciation for Zimbabwe’s culture and responsible use of natural resources.

AECOM of Washington, D.C. is the design architect, and Page of Washington, D.C. is the architect of record. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama, is the construction contractor.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, OBO has completed 157 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 59 projects in design or under construction.

OBO provides safe, secure, functional, and resilient facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, design, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

April 10, 2019

Good afternoon. Thank you Michael, Melissa, and all of you here today for that warm welcome.

It’s wonderful to be back in Texas, where I call home. I’m sure you already knew that, as nothing screams Texas more than a name like Tibor Nagy.

Actually, I came to the United States as a refugee from Hungary, and it was here in Texas that I lived and studied before going on to become a diplomat and representing our great country.

It is always a pleasure to visit institutions such as Rice University, and to talk about what we are doing in Africa with our country’s future leaders.

That is especially true here at the Baker Institute where many of you have a strong interest in our economic engagement with Africa, and perhaps may be considering some future work on the continent.

It’s certainly an exciting time right now for Africa, and today I would like to share with you what we at the State Department are doing in this realm, particularly concerning energy.

A little background on myself. It was in Africa that I spent the vast majority of my 32-year diplomatic career, with postings in seven different countries, and it was there I fell in love with a continent and a people.

I’ve visited the continent three times since I took my current position last September, and engaged with government officials, business leaders, civil society and average citizens in many countries.

But, it is also important that I travel

When I first set foot on the continent, there were no cellphones, no internet, few television stations, and to call back to America required reserving one of the few international lines days ahead.

Now, through modern technology, even people in remote villages know how much cassava, potatoes or goats will sell for in urban markets, thus insuring that they get better prices for their goods.

And in places such as Kenya and South Africa, people do all of their banking with their mobile phones.

In fact, things are moving so fast that today six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa!

Africa is the continent of the future and its potential is limitless. By 2050, its population will more than double to 2.2 billion people, with over 60 percent under the age of 25.

This will have enormous ramifications not only for Africa, but also for the world at large.

It will be private investment and not foreign assistance that will create jobs and opportunities for Africa’s youth.

If African countries don’t create jobs and opportunities for their young people, the alternatives will be dangerous migration to Europe or the Gulf States, joining violent extremist groups, crime, or despair.

Young people everywhere have the same aspirations for a better life.

And as always, the United States will be there with our African partners as they face this future.

In fact, the Trump Administration announced in December a new Africa Strategy to re-calibrate our engagement with the continent.

The core of this strategy is to promote trade and commercial ties to increase prosperity in the United States and in African countries; strengthen efforts to advance peace and security; and support stability, democracy, good governance and self-reliance.

It builds on our strong relationships with individual countries, effective regional organizations, and most importantly, the people of Africa.

It also underscores our long-standing commitment

How Ivorian president Houphouët-Boigny aided the West to oust Nkrumah, Sankara July

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According to former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman J. Cohen, the guerilla’s insurgency was promoted and financed by Houphouët.

There is talk Houphouët-Boigny also fed his political opponents to crocodiles as described in VS Naipaul’s “The Crocodiles of Yamoussoukro” (See his essay collection “The Writer and the World: Essays”). His nicknames include “Mao Tse Houphouët” and “the Stalinist billionaire”.

Stephen Smith writes of Houphouët-Boigny: “However, though he made history, he did not make it into history, at least not as gloriously as Nkrumah, Nyerere, Sekou Toure or Patrice Lumumba. Houphouët-Boigny is generally overlooked, or else dismissed as a ‘lackey of the French” (See “Remembering Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Father of the Ivory Coast’s (In)dependence”).

Again on the downside for the president is his rigid one-party state until his death, despite attempting to groom a lacklustre Konan Bédié, a fellow Akan, to succeed him upon his death. He is accused of operating a political system purely based on ethnocracy or ethnic democracy.

Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Ivory Coast’s first president, is a man who divides opinion even in death.

implicated.”

Nani-Kofi continues: “Houphouët–Boigny had a poor relationship with governments in West Unlike Africa’s beloved freedom fighters such as Africa who were not the favorites of the West.

Nkrumah, Nyerere, Sekou Toure and Patrice Houphouët is alleged to have supported rebels Lumumba, Houphouët-Boigny is often lumped and plotters against the regimes of Kwame together with others who are deemed to have let Nkrumah in Ghana, Sekou Toure in Guinea and down their citizens and de-accelerated the advance- Patrice Lumumba in the present-day DCR ment of their state.

(Democratic Republic of Congo).”

These individuals include Akwasi Afrifa, Mobuto Sese Seko, J.B Danquah, Charles Taylor, Idi Amin, K.A Busia, and Yoweri Museveni. The others are Omar Bongo, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Meles Zenawi.

Houphouët-Boigny was born October 18, 1905, becoming president in 1960 and ruling for more than 30 years till he died on December 7, 1993.

Prior to being president, he served as medical aide to a doctor, union leader and planter.

Nani-Kofi explains further: “He’s also associated with the coup against the pro-Soviet Mathieu in Benin in January 1977. He supported Jonas Savimbi’s UNITA when the ruling government in Angola was pro-Soviet and UNITA was the favorite of the USA in Angola. It’s believed that he worked closely with Blaise Compaore in the overthrow of Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso.

He influenced French backing for Charles Taylor’s rebel forces in Liberia.”

Houphouët-Boigny covert and overt attempts at toppling African regimes hold truth. For Guinea’s Houphouët-Boigny’s coziness to the French who Sekou Toure disregarding the French, he formed colonized the country has been a source of discon- the National Front for the Liberation of Guinea, a tentment for many Africans. reserve of soldiers ready to overthrow his government.

Perhaps, he serving in the French Parliament and holding several ministerial positions within the For Nkrumah, since he supported Toure to spite French government thanks to the assimilation poli- the French, Houphouët-Boigny accused him of cy, might have been his source of grooming in pro- working to destabilise his country, further calling tecting French interests even against the Ivorian for the boycott of the Organisation of African people and other African states.

Unity (OAU) meeting in Accra in 1963.

Explo N. Nani-Kofi, observes: “…..as early as 1959, Houphouët–Boigny expelled his deputy, Jean-Baptiste Mockey for leading a group of people within Boigny’s party and government to openly oppose the government’s Francophone policies.

He was accused of plotting to kill Boigny through the use of voodoo. In 1993, there were more than 100 secret trials in which Mockey and others like Ernest Boka, head of the Supreme Court, were

In 1966, when the CIA, aided by elements in the Ghana Police and Army, overthrew Nkrumah’s government, it used Ivory Coast as the base for its missions.

In Liberia, Houphouët-Boigny never forgave President Samuel Doe for killing and deposing William Tolbert who happened to be his friend and in-law.

Tiemoko Coulibaly (See “Cult of a Dead Dictator: Ivory Coast Deferred”) observes: “Yet Houphouët-Boigny’s legacy is a major tragedy for Ivory Coast. The triumphant resurgence of Houphouët-Boigny worship, accompanied by the rise of Ivorian power, signals the failure of a system that always relied on tribalism, xenophobia, corruption and prevarication.”

The exclusion of Northern Ivoirians in national politics, the expulsion of Dahomeyans from Ivory Coast, presidential preferences for Ivory Coast’s Christian minority, and presidential slighting of Ivory Coast’s Moslem majority were characteristics of HouphouëtBoigny’s presidency.

They were features which later played no small role in Ivory Coast’s electoral violence and civil war.

Alistair Boddy-Evans writes about his other questionable acts: “Houphouët–Boigny recognized Biafra when it attempted secession from Nigeria in 1967, exchanged ambassadors with the Soviet Union, and advocated working with South Africa…One issue which threatened his government was the number of French nationals holding bureaucratic posts in his government—thousands had been invited into the country to help run things.”

When it came to the Biafra quest for independence also, he gave official sanctuary to Biafran military leaders favouring Biafran secession from a federalized Nigeria. This is largely because France’s Machiavelli supported Col. Chukwuemeka O. Ojukwu.

“In his final days, Houphouët–Boigny had a massive basilica built…It cost an estimated $300m, which he claimed came from his own funds…At the same time as the fortune was spent on the basilica, Cote d’Ivoire was forced to suspend its debt payments and introduce austerity legislation. He had an estimated $10 million when he died, including several villas in France,” writes columnist Francis Kwarteng.

Houphouët–Boigny built the basilica in Yamoussoukro, his hometown and named it the new capital, relegating Abidjan. Many regard the edifice as a misplaced national priority.

Questions have been asked about how the basilica improved the living standard and life expectancy of the average Ivorian.

Being in charge for three decades, no matter how deficient a leader is, he is bound to do some good so Houphouët-Boigny is credited with relative economic prosperity on the back of good cocoa yields and sales. The country is the world’s leading producer of the beans.

https://face2faceafrica.com

U.S. Dignitaries Attend State Dinner in Côte d’Ivoire

July 2019

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South African Airways Awarded “Favorite Airline In Africa”

By Trazee Travel’s Millennial Readers For The Fifth Consecutive Year

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Fort Lauderdale, FL (July 7, 2019) – South African Airways (SAA) has been named “Favorite Airline in Africa” for the fifth consecutive year at the annual The Trazees awards. The award was presented to South African Airways at the yearly event hosted by FXExpress Publications, which includes Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com, during the 2019 Global Business Travel Association convention on Tuesday, July 6, 2019, at the Claridge House Hotel in Chicago.

Following the We-Fi Summit, dignitaries, including the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire Dominique Ouattara, Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, Vice President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Daniel Kablan Duncan, Administrator Green and the bipartisan U.S. Congressional Delegation led

by Senator Lindsey Graham attended a State Dinner. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the underlying goals of the United States’ Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, and their desire to work col-

lectively toward building economies that invite contributions of women entrepreneurs, specifically in the fields of technology and agribusiness. They noted the outsized impact such efforts could have in improving the lives of women, their families, and communities across the globe.

Trazee Travel is a unique web publication created for travelers aged 18–35. The Trazees celebrate the best and brightest travel companies from around the world and includes airlines, airports, hotels, destinations and other travel providers. A ballot ran on trazeetravel.com from December 2018 through March 2019 to determine the winners.

“All of us at South African Airways are thrilled that Trazee Travel readers have selected us as their favorite airline in Africa,” said Marlene Sanau, vice president sales for South African Airways. “The millennial traveler is a sought after demographic and are a growing segment of tourism to Africa. To be recognized by the millennial market in this fashion is a testament to the quality of service SAA delivers as the best way to start an African experience of a lifetime.”

"Congratulations to South African Airways on its 2019 The Trazees win, and its induction among the inaugural class of Quint Status winners. Since its inception five years ago, SAA has been a perennial favorite on

The Trazees list of winners, quite an accomplish to regularly feature so prominently among this discerning generation's favorite travel providers. We look forward to celebrating SAA for many more years to come," said Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO, trazeetravel.com.

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5 most-promising Africans under 30 who are kicking serious butts in business in 2019

Afrikan

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Marian Manack, health and fitness entrepreneur with a That is what Forbes Africa, a division of Forbes Media LLC, seeks to do with their growing business which is estimated to be around 30 under 30 lists chronicling 30 individu$115,000. als under the age of 30 who are doing remarkable things in their industries.

Over the turn of the century, there have been impressive strides in Africa with regards to business, technology and art that have made the continent one to watch After nominations and a very extensive vetting and investigation process, the 2019 for. As more and more young people find innovative list has been released. Here are the top five ways to create and cause change in their respective chosen fields of operation, it is only befitting that they young Africans under 30 in Business: receive the commendation and recognition they deserve.

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Terence Mathe, 29, Zimbabwe, CoFounder of Southern Incineration Services (SISCO) PBC

According to the Forbes Africa website, he is the co-founder of Southern Incineration Services, an incineration service for biomedical waste to hospitals, funeral parlors and clinics. He has a full-time job as an auditor and has been running the incineration business for three years, though he plans to leave his job this year and fully take on the business growing it to become Zimbabwe’s largest bio-waste incineration business. SISCO, as it is called, currently runs two incineration plants in the country, which have a combined capacity of handling 220 kg of waste per hour.

He has plans of setting up a shop in another part of the country, where they will construct Zimbabwe’s first smokeless, odorless, gas-powered incinerator with a combined capacity of 300 kg per hour, so as to expand operations and effectively conquer the incineration service industry in the country.

One of the biggest milestones he has had in the business was when he was called by the EU Election Observation Mission headquarters to provide incineration services for all their election tallies and other confidential information.

Described as an “enviropreneur”, a soil scientist and inventor, Bruce is the founder and managing director of Brucol Global Development, an agricultural consulting company which he founded in 2014 for the purpose of empowering previously disadvantaged people within the agricultural sector. He is also a co-founder of Gardenizly, a water-efficient vegetable gardening technology which is currently changing the agricultural landscape, which he co-founded with his father, Dr. Nkgodi Diale. In 2017, Bruce won first place with his company, Brucol Global Development, at the Engen Pitch and Polish, a competition in which contestants are given the opportunity to present (pitch) their businesses or business ideas to an audience, with the winner taking home enormous cash prizes from Engen and Nedbank and an advertising campaign from one of the major media houses in the country.

Diale holds a B.Sc. in agriculture from the University of Limpopo and was pursuing an MBA as of July last year. In 2018,

He was selected to be one of the 25 environmental entrepreneurs from South Africa to participate in the Groundswell Accelerator, an interactive 18-month program that focuses on small entrepreneurs working in the green economy, assisting them to build their entrepreneurial skills and cultivate sound business practices, started by Groundswell, an organization based in the United States.

According to the Forbes Africa website, he is the co-founder of Southern Incineration Services, an incineration service for biomedical waste to hospitals, funeral parlors and clinics. He has a full-time job as an auditor and has been running the incineration business for three years, though he plans to leave his job this year and fully take on the business growing it to become Zimbabwe’s largest bio-waste incineration business. SISCO, as it is called, currently runs two incineration plants in the country, which have a combined capacity of handling 220 kg of waste per hour. He has plans of setting up a shop in another part of the country, where they will construct Zimbabwe’s first smokeless, odorless, gas-powered incinerator with a combined capacity of 300 kg per hour, so as to expand operations and effectively conquer the incineration service industry in the country.

One of the biggest milestones he has had in the business was when he was called by the EU Election Observation Mission headquarters to provide incineration services for all their election tallies and other confidential information.

Mariam Manack , 29, South Africa, Founder & Director of iTrain Mariam Manack is described as a sports scientist, nutritional advisor, fitness and lifestyle coach. She started as a personal trainer in 2011 and without any gym equipment, would train clients at home using sheer charisma. Business began to look up and she had to set up something bigger, hence, iTrain, a health and fitness studio for women, empowering women through health and fitness. In 2017, she was honored by the Minara Chamber of Commerce as the youngest Muslim woman to receive a finalist award at the Business Recognition Awards and the Minara Entrepreneurship Competition. Also, she hosts the iTrain-run clubs yearly and has partnered with BMW on some projects and is also a brand ambassador for Puma. She plans to open up a couple more studios in different parts of the country as her business is growing, with the worth of her business estimated to be around $115,000.

5 most-promising Africans under 30 who are kicking serious butts in business in 2019

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Khanyisile Madonko-Nderezina, 25, Zimbabwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Sakhile Madonko Enterprises

According to his website, goes by the nickname “The Vigorous Entrepreneur” and is a Serial Entrepreneur with experience in a vast number of industries, fast becoming a leading Business Consultant & Business Coach, Companies Director, Speaker and Thought Leader.

He has connected with partners in Nigeria, Dubai, London, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Istanbul and looks to expand his network even further.

He has had some trouble in the past with “gaining the same ear one would land as an older entrepreneur” due to his age, as many business ventures he had were affected because he was considered too young.

So, he and his team had to work extra hard to prove their worth as businessmen. Now, Madonko can count a growing list of businesses he has worked with, including the University of the Witwatersrand’s Development and Leadership Unit.

He employs four permanent staff and two consultants who regularly work with him, as well as interns who focus on analysis.

Isaac Mbatha, 28, South Africa, Founder & CEO of Sky Tents SA

According to GQ South Africa, Isaac Mbatha is a young entrepreneur with a knack of turning challenges into opportunities, starting when he was a boy helping out in the family business and selling sweets to his schoolmates.

From taxi conductor to helping hand for auto mechanics, he is building a business empire that is empowering hundreds of people as a founder and CEO of Sky Tents SA. Mbatha started his first taxi business, owning seven vehicles in four years and with all the money saved started Sky Tents, a company that supplies mobile chillers/freezers, mobile toilets, and chairs and tables for a variety of functions.

Today, his company has grown from employing three people to 59, with international clients from countries including Namibia, Botswana, Nigeria, Algeria, Swaziland, Uganda, Lesotho, Seychelles, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

ADOM TABBEY-BOTCHWEY |

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Young African women who received PhDs under 30

Academic success takes a lot of sacrifices, dedication and even smartness to attain. It takes an even bolder decision to pursue a postgraduate degree with many reasons serving as hindrances.

Hindrances have been the case for many, especially in the estimation of timing, but for these young African women to have attained the heights of receiving their doctorate degrees within the first 30 years of their lives, it’s the sort of motivation other women will need to attain the highest forms of education.

This article highlights how these young women have made academic histories in their respective countries, and on the whole continent of Africa.

Gloria Opoku-Boateng Osardu (27) Dr Gloria Opoku-Boateng Osardu completed her first degree at the Valley View University in Ghana after which she relocated to the United States of America to further her education. She entered the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) where she received her PhD in Information Systems at the age of 27.

With her much interest in technology and research, she worked with the likes of IBM, Google and other high-profile technology companies as a User Experience (UX) Research Scientist.

During her time at UMBC, she received scholarships and grants and attended several conferences.

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Purity Ngina (28) Currently the holder of Kenya’s record for the youngest PhD holder after graduation with a doctorate degree in 2018 at the age of just 28 years old, Ngina graduated with a PhD in Biomathematics.

In June 2018, Dr Ngina made her way into history books by becoming the youngest PhD holder in the field of Biomathematics. The topic of her PhD thesis was founded on the relationship between HIV and Mathematics.

https://face2faceafrica.com

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Shodipe Opeyemi (25) This young Nigerian scholar received her bachelor’s degree at 19 from Babcock University. After the mandatory NYSC programme, she entered for a master’s program at the University of Ibadan, graduating best in her department. She capped it with a well-deserved doctorate degree in information science from her alma mater, Babcock University, when she was 25.

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Naturalization Fact Sheet Afrikan

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The Bridgeport resident pleaded guilty to arranging numerous fraudulent marriages so noncitizens could obtain Green Cards.

As part of the scheme, Stephenson prepared several immigration documents needed as part of the noncitizen’s LPR NEW HAVEN, Conn. — John H. Durham, application. She had the applicant and United States attorney for the District of spouse sign the documents and, in many Connecticut; the acting special agent in cases, mailed the documents to the USCIS charge of Homeland Security Investigations immigration authorities for the applicant.

(HSI) in Boston; and a supervisory immigra- In some cases, Stephenson or her assistion officer for U.S. Citizenship and tants prepared other false documents for Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of the couple, such as a false lease that porFraud Detection and National Security trayed the couple as living together.

(FDNS), announced that Jodian Stephenson, also known as “Jodian Gordon,” 35, of Stephenson typically charged between Bridgeport, pleaded guilty on Aug. 19, in $17,000 and $20,000 to complete this New Haven federal court to a conspiracy process for a noncitizen, and the citizen charge stemming from her arrangement of spouse received between $2,000 and numerous fraudulent marriages so that non- $4,000 for their participation.

U.S. citizens would receive U.S. immigration benefits.

During the investigation, Stephenson offered to arrange a sham marriage for a USCIS officials within the FDNS Directorate federal law enforcement agent working in learned of the potential fraudulent marriages an undercover capacity, and help them to obtain Green Card benefits in 2016 and obtain a Green Card in exchange for a began collaborating with HSI investigators proposed fee of $20,000. In recorded conto reveal numerous cases of marriage fraud. versations, Stephenson then introduced the undercover agent to a U.S. citizen and “We at USCIS take marriage fraud – and all advised them about the ways they could fraud – seriously,” said USCIS Acting create the appearance that they were legalDirector Ken Cuccinelli. “I commend the ly married and living together as husband professionalism of the USCIS staff that and wife. reported the attempts to defraud our immigration system, and our officers who are Stephenson pleaded guilty to one count of partnering with HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s conspiracy to commit immigration marOffice for the District of Connecticut to riage fraud. She faces a maximum term of investigate these claims. I also thank our law imprisonment of five years when U.S. enforcement partners for their efforts to District Judge Michael P. Shea sentences bring perpetrators to justice. Let this serve as her in Hartford. A sentencing date is not a reminder that if you partake in fraudulent scheduled. activity, you will get caught.”

Stephenson has been released on a According to court documents and state$250,000 bond since her arrest on July 22, ments made in court, Stephenson operated 2018.

Stephenson Immigration and Legal Services Six other individuals involved in this LLC, in Bridgeport. Between 2011 and 2017, scheme previously pleaded guilty.

Stephenson conspired with others to arrange 28 sham marriages between U.S. citizens On Dec. 5, 2018, Donovan Lawrence, of and noncitizens residing in the U.S. so the Milford, who operated Donovan’s non-citizens’ could apply for and obtain law- Accounting Services LLC, in Bridgeport, ful permanent residence (LPR) status, also pleaded guilty to his role in this conspiraknown as getting a Green Card. cy. In addition, four U.S. citizens who entered into one or more fraudulent marOne of the 28 sham marriages was between riages with noncitizens, and one noncitiStephenson, who is a citizen of Jamaica, and zen who entered into a fraudulent mara U.S. citizen. riage with a U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty.

All await sentencing.

For each of the other 27 fraudulent marriages, Stephenson found and introduced a HSI and FDNS are conducting the investiU.S. citizen to be the noncitizen’s purported gation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. spouse and helped the couple obtain a marKopel is prosecuting the case. riage license. She also organized the marriage ceremony and celebration, and coached the couple on how to make their marriage appear to be genuine despite their neither living together nor otherwise intending to remain actually married.

USCIS Aims to Decrease Processing Times for N-400 and I485 July 2019

USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Since the end of 2015, we have experienced an increase in processing times due to higher than expected volumes received during fiscal years (FY) 2016 and 2017 that did not decrease as originally projected. FY 2017 receipts were up 15.6% from FY 2016, and FY 2016 receipts were up 25.5% from FY 2015. The increased filing volumes did not affect our field offices equally, which resulted in some disparity in the processing times among field offices.

As we shift caseloads between field offices to decrease processing times, we may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction.

Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these

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caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS.

USCIS remains committed to adjudicating applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits as effectively and efficiently as possible in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations while securing the integrity of the immigration system.

If you have questions about an appointment notice we send you, you may contact the USCIS Contact Center.

Source:https://uscis.gov

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Signing of the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Dialogue Framework Agreement – Remarks

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must work together to mitigate and defeat the immediate threats to our security and prosperity together. In this regard, our cooperation in defense and security become the guarantee for our continued prosperity.

In this regard, Deputy Secretary, I have to report that yesterday I had the occasion to meet with the Pentagon, with the MOD team, and that discussion indicated that our MOD relationship is a model relationship, a model bilateral – a relationship that is servicing the region and a relationship that is contributing to international peace and security. And so we are delighted that those teams will today be speaking to the next steps in strengthening our defense and security cooperation.

President Kenyatta has also mandated us to work in this strategic dialogue to promote ambitious trade and investment in each other’s country, and I take delight in Ambassador Kyle’s counsel that we should not talk and think small, because our presidents are thinking big. We are talking about the future of prosperity. This ambitious trade and investment portfolio must be able to help build the wealth for our people. It must create more jobs; it must create decent living; it must contribute to the prosperity of ourselves and the world.

Remarks

John J. Sullivan Deputy Secretary of State

Tibor P. Nagy, Jr. Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs

Monica Juma, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary For Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador

Treaty Room

Washington, DC May 7, 2019

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NAGY: Distinguished cabinet secretaries, honorable visitors, distinguished colleagues, welcome to this most momentous occasion, where we are launching a new stage of our relations with one of our key friends in Africa and, in the world. This framework covers the four essential parts of the relations between our two countries, and it arises out of a meeting that our two presidents had last July, and we’re following through. This is only the first, and it will continue year by year to cement our relations, as I said, at a new level.

So without further ado, I would like to ask our deputy secretary to come up.

DEPUTY SECRETARY SULLIVAN: Thank you, Tibor, for that kind introduction. I’m delighted to have Cabinet Secretaries Juma and Matiang’i here today in Washington for the inaugural Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, or BSD.

Last July, our two presidents – President Trump and President Kenyatta – committed to take our bilateral relationship to the next level. We see the inaugural BSD, which is a key deliverable from that meeting last year, as proof positive that the United States and Kenya are prepared to do the hard but rewarding work to build our relationship to a much higher and

stronger level.

The U.S. and Kenyan teams met here at the State Department today to discuss ways to advance our joint goals under the BSD’s four pillars: economic prosperity, trade and investment; defense cooperation; democracy, governance and civilian security; and multilateral and regional issues. Finalizing key infrastructure deals, deepening our security cooperation, and enhancing civilian security and governance assistance are just a few of the topics the BSD addresses.

Tomorrow, my colleague Under Secretary Hale will open the high-level segment of the BSD, emphasizing the progress we have made on our shared priorities since our presidents met last year. We will conclude the BSD with our teams briefing on their progress and ideas for the way forward.

The framework that the cabinet secretary and I will establish shortly creates the structure and reaffirms our intention to pursue dialogues in the future. Kenya is among our strongest partners in the continent and – as the assistant secretary has noted correctly – in the world.

This dialogue will help us chart our course forward for our bilateral relationship.

Madam Cabinet Secretary, I’m pleased to sign this framework on behalf of the U.S. Government. The floor is yours.

CABINET SECRETARY JUMA: Good afternoon.

Deputy Secretary John Sullivan, colleagues, Cabinet Secretary Matiang’i, the Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Tibor Nagy, may I begin by expressing our utmost delight at the hosting of this inaugural Bilateral Strategic Dialogue.

As deputy secretary has indicated, this meeting in the next couple of days is indication of the strategic vision of our two leaders. When we departed Nairobi two days ago, President Kenyatta directed us to understand the importance and the meaning of this dialogue. First, that it must work towards the benefit of our peoples, and we

Thirdly, we must work closely to make sure that our region – the Horn of Africa, the East Africa and Central Africa – is secure for investment; it’s politically stable, is democratically free. It pushes the democratic project and we are free from all want, including the threats such as pandemic, but more importantly, the threat of international jihadism. This threat is probably the greatest risk to our strategic relationship, because even if we think big, even if we create the right environment for investment and trade, unless we are able to tether the threat that comes with extremism, then we are at a risk.

And therefore, we are here in order that these three broad parameters help us and become really the North Star that guides the discussions that we have been having and that we shall be having in the next two days. That is why, Deputy Secretary, I’m delighted to commit my government in terms of taking this relationship – which is a historical relationship, which is a significant relationship, which is a relationship that is growing in its diversity and depth and complexity – it’s a relationship that is our peoples’ relationship, government to government, business to business, value norms that we believe in and that we share.

So I am delighted to lead this delegation. And you can see by the number of officers that are here, led by my senior colleague, the minister in charge of interior, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the seriousness with which we hold this relationship. We are delighted to be here and happy for another fruitful engagement. I thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NAGY: May I invite the cabinet secretary and the deputy secretary to the table, please?

(The documents were signed.)

(Applause.)

ASSISTANT SECRETARY NAGY: Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us on this historic occasion. Thank you. We will now proceed to the discussions.

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Meet the Africans appointed ministers by new UK PM Boris Johnson

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He has been an MP since 2010 and was a junior Brexit minister. Before becoming an MP, he worked as an analyst in financial services. Seen as a rising star on the right of the party, he has consistently supported local enterprise and business-friendly reforms.He launched the Spelthorne Business Plan Competition in 2013 and has been often tipped to become Britain’s first black Tory cabinet minister.

Nigerian Kemi Badenoch took the office of Junior Minister for Children and Families following a government reshuffle. Pic credit: Standard.co.uk Two Africans have made it into the cabinet of Britain’s new Prime Minister Boris Johnson as members of his top team that would assist him in running affairs, including plans to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union by October 31.

Their appointments come amidst concerns over the many times the newly elected leader has denigrated Africa as foreign minister and how this would affect Britain’s relations with Africa.

Just three years after Theresa May took over as prime minister of the United Kingdom to clear the Brexit mess left by David Cameron, the country has a new prime minister again.

Boris Johnson emerged as the new prime minister of the United Kingdom after a leadership contest but there has been controversy surrounding his premiership due to some racist, homophobic and sexist statements he has made in the past.

Some social media users have even adopted the hashtag #NotMyPM to express their dislike for the former journalist and columnist who is now Britain’s leader.

Touted by some as ‘the British Trump’, the loud and controversial former London Mayor and UK foreign secretary has been compared with U.S. President Donald Trump as both of them have been noted for making offensive and outrageous remarks.

In Africa, some of his infamous comments include calling Africa “‘a mess, ‘Aids-ridden choristers’ and the ‘Flag-Waving Picaninnies and Tribal Warriors with Watermelon Smiles.'”

The 39-year-old Nigerian woman took the office of Junior Minister for Children and Families following a government reshuffle.

Badenoch is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden.

Her new post “encompasses child protection, children in care, adoption, care leavers, social work, local authority performance, and family law.”

Born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke in January 1980 in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents, Badenoch’s childhood was spent in Lagos and the United States.

She moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 16 and has been the MP for Saffron Walden since 2017 after replacing Nadhim Zawahi.

The software and IT engineer studied Systems Engineering at the University of Sussex and later followed this up with a law degree before spending some years in the IT and banking sectors, working in the banking sector for firms such as Coutts and RBS, reports The Guardian.

The mother of two, who believes that Britain would be better off without the EU, described the vote for Brexit during her 2017 maiden speech as MP, as “the greatest ever vote of confidence in the project of the United Kingdom”.

Tweeting about her recent appointment, Badenoch said: “Thank you for all good wishes and kind messages of support received. I also look forward to working not just with @Conservatives colleagues but cross-party and grateful for the warm welcome from @TracyBrabin and @Steve ReedMP who no doubt will be keeping me on my toes!”

He has overtly mocked Africa in insensitive jokes, appreciated the land from an imperialistic high horse and viewed the people from the eyes of the first messengers of the Queen, who, when they arrived on the shores of the continent did not see people, but natives, a significantly inferior species of hominids.

Last Wednesday, Johnson chose members of his government, filling key positions with mostly supporters who campaigned for him to take over the leadership position

“Boris Johnson’s new Cabinet has a strongly pro-Brexit flavour, with the major cabinet posts going to those who have backed his plan to take Britain out of the European Union by October 31 with or without a withdrawal deal,” reports DW.

The following are profiles of the two Africans who made the full list of the over a 100 ministerial and government appointments made by Johnson:Kemi Badenoch

Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng

The Ghanaian-British MP for Spelthorne in Surrey was, last Thursday, made UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is a senior member of the government attending cabinet.

Born in Waltham Forest to Ghanaian parents, Kwarteng won a scholarship to Eton College and read history at Cambridge University, where he was a member of a University Challenge team, winning in 1995.

As a historian, he presented a BBC Radio 4 series on the legacy of the British Empire and has written several books, including Ghost of Empire: War and Gold and Thatcher’s Trial.

Kwarteng has also served as a member of the public accounts committee in the UK and was parliamentary private secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park.

On November 16, 2018, he was appointed Undersecretary of State in the Department for Exiting the European Union following the resignation of Sue-Ellen Braverman.

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MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR | Associate Editor

U.S. Designates Zimbabawe’s Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe

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Public Designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act The Secretary of State is publicly designating Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, former Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army’s Presidential Guard Brigade and current Ambassador Designate of Zimbabwe to Tanzania, under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (Div. F, P.L. 116-6), due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.The Department has credible information that Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe was involved in the violent crackdown against unarmed Zimbabweans during post-election protests on July 1, 2018 that resulted in six civilian deaths.

The law also requires the Secretary of State to

publicly or privately designate such officials and immediate family members. In addition to the designation of Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, the Department is also publicly designating his spouse, Chido Machona.

To date, the Government of Zimbabwe has held no member of the security forces accountable for the acts of violence committed against Zimbabweans on July 1, 2018. Furthermore, there has been no accountability for the excessive use of force by Zimbabwean security forces on civilians in January and February this year, which reportedly resulted in at least 13 deaths, 600 victims of violence, torture or rape, and more than 1,000 arrests. We again call on Zimbabwean authorities to hold accountable those officials responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Zimbabwe.

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Africa gets another female Chief Justice

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Ivory Coast seeks $5.8bn to build ‘Africa’s fifth-biggest tourism destination’

Efforts to make their country one of the top tourist destinations in Africa by 2025 have led the Ivorian government to seek $5.8 billion from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Neemat Abdullah Mohamed Khair_Photo: tellerreport.com

Sudan has been marred by internal conflict and political crisis after the overthrow of long-serving leader, Omar al-Bashir in April. The takeover by the military Africa has seen a few female presidents as gender equality contin- regime saw constant street protests that birthed the ues to be a topical issue across the continent. Women continue to be Force for Freedom and Change. the dominant gender in some key sectors on the continent, however, despite their dominance, they seem to be given minor roles in these Formed early this year during the 2018-19 Sudanese sectors. protests, The Force for Freedom and Change is a

This trend seems to be changing in recent times as we have witnessed countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda forming gender-balanced governments, giving women more representation.

wide political coalition of civilian and rebel coalitions of Sudanese groups including; the Sudanese Professional Association, the Sudan Revolutionary Front, the National Consensus Forces and the Sudanese resistance committees.

Irrespective of the efforts of these two countries more remains to be Nemat Kheir was sworn-in by the Head of the done in the other 52 recognized states on the continent towards Judiciary in front of the Head of the transitional miliachieving gender-balanced systems. tary council, Lieutenant General Abdul Fattah Al Burhan.

6 prominent people from South Sudan you did not know about Sudan kicked out of the African Union until democracy is restored The report stated that she proceeded in the judiciary Sudanese protesters still clamouring for democracy after deadly until she became a Supreme Court judge and is conmilitary strikes sidered one of the founders of the Sudanese Judges Sudan protest ends another African dictatorial regime that has ruled Club and is not politically affiliated to any party. for 30 years Sudan has toed the line of change by appointing its first female Chief Justice, Neemat Abdullah Mohamed Khair. She becomes only the fifth female Chief Justices in African after Ghana’s Sophia Akuffo, Seychelles’ Mathilda Twomey, Ethiopia’s Ashenafi and Source:face2faceafrica.com Lesotho’s Nthomeng Majara.

Her appointment comes on the back of the swearing-in of Abdalla Hamdok as prime minister alongside a top general who is tasked to oversee a military-civilian council.

According to reports, a decree saw the appointment of 11 members of the Sovereignty Council, including two women. It comes after several unsuccessful meetings by The Forces of Freedom and Change and the military council to agree on the way forward for Sudan.

Neemat Abdullah Mohamed Khair was selected instead of the perceived Abdelkader Mohamed Ahmed, who was originally the candidate of The Forces of Change for the presidency of the judiciary.

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In the strategy document titled “Sublime Côte d’Ivoire” presented to the bank by the Ivorian Minister of Tourism Siandou Fofana, the funds would be used to build the ‘Abidjan Business City’ which will be a central point for holding conventions in Côte d’Ivoire, the National Conference Centre to host more than 5000 people for huge concerts and programs.

Other projects include a 100-hectare leisure park to be a place of entertainment for the sub-region and a ‘beautiful beach for all’ with a 550-km coastline.

The government also plans to “strengthen security and health care, develop the aviation sector and increase airport passenger flow to three million, and train and certify 230,000 sector professionals,” said Fofana in a meeting with the bank’s Vice-President responsible for Private sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Pierre Guislain, at the headquarters in Abidjan.

“All this will drive employment and our intention is to create 375,000 new jobs. From 2025, we plan to welcome four to five million tourists, to make this sector the fourth economic pillar of the country and to make Côte d’Ivoire the fifth biggest tourism power on the continent and the joint leader in African business tourism,” Fofana added.

Pierre Guislain commended the government for the bold step while stressing on the importance of partnerships for development. “This is important. Business tourism needs to be consolidated and your ambitions are good. The African Development Bank has a strong partnership with Côte d’Ivoire, the host country of our headquarters.

“The Bank finances many infrastructure projects (energy and roads) that are essential to the development of tourism. We also financed the expansion of Air Côte d’Ivoire, whose development is essential for tourism to flourish in the country,” he said without indicating approval of the funds.

The details of the loan and how it will be paid back have not been disclosed but the country is confident of pulling a huge number of visitors into its country if the investment plan is approved.

In 2016, there were 3.08 million tourists in the country and 3.47 million in 2017. They expect to welcome 4 to 5 million tourists by 2025.

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10 African proverbs to help you live your best life this New Year

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1. A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground. — Igbo proverb 2. He that beats the drum for the mad man to dance is no better than the mad manhimself. — African proverb 3. Where water is the boss there the land must obey. — African proverb 4. No matter how beautiful and well crafted a coffin might look, it will not make anyone wish for death. — African proverb 5. When the shepherd comes home in peace, the milk is sweet. — Ethiopian proverb 6. A spider’s cobweb isn’t only its sleeping spring but also its food trap. — African proverb 7. If you do not have patience you cannot make beer. — Ovambo proverb

8. He who runs after good fortune runs away from peace. — African proverb 9. Teeth do not see poverty. — Masai proverb 10. You have little power over what’s not yours. — Zimbabwean proverb 11. If you pick up one end of the stick you also pick up the other. — Ethiopian proverb 12. Better little than too little. — Cameroonian proverb 13. You must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market. — Beninese proverb 14. When you befriend a chief remember that he sits on a rope. — Ugandan proverb 15. The night has ears. — Masai proverb 16. The child you sired hasn’t sired you. — Somali proverb 17. A doctor who invoked a storm on his people cannot prevent his house from destruction. — Nigerian proverb 18. An intelligent enemy is better than a stupid friend. — Senegalese proverb 19. The young bird does not crow until it hears the old ones. — Tswana proverb 20. If you carry the egg basket do not dance. — Ambede proverb 21. The food which is prepared has no master. — Malagasy proverb 22. The worlds of the elders do not lock all the doors; they leave the right door open. — Zambian proverb 23. Even the best cooking pot will not produce food. — African proverb 24. The child of a rat is a rat. — Malagasy proverb 25. Where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth. — Yoruba proverb

Medical Office Space for Rent

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Ghanaian Peter Akwaboah, MD at Face2face Africa to celebrate, honor Morgan Stanley, to receive black excellence at the FACE List corporate leadership honor at the awards gala this Saturday, July 2019 FACE List 20th in NYC Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS), a charity organization with sole mission to provide comprehensive, affordable orthopedic care to those who would not otherwise have access to such treatment.

He is also a keen sportsman having represented Great Britain in Track and Field on a number of occasions.

Francis Akhalbey is a Social Media techie and part-time Writer based in Accra, Ghana. He loves basketball and dreams to make it in the NBA in his next life. I hope you’re reading this LA Lakers! And yes, we have Anthony Davis now. Bring on next season!

Face2face Africa will be honoring Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Peter Akwaboah with the 2019 Corporate Leadership Award at the FACE List Awards gala during the 2019 PanAfrican Weekend.

Peter Akwaboah, who was educated both in Ghana and the U.K. joined Morgan Stanley in December 2015 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Operations.

In July 2016, he became the Global Head of Shared Services Operations which includes managing the Firm’s settlement and payments infrastructure. Additionally, he is the chair of the Morgan Stanley’s payment risk steering committee and member of Federal Reserve Bank’s (FRB) Payments Risk Committee.

MORE ABOUT THIS Influential tech entrepreneur Rebecca Enonchong to be honored at the 2019 FACE List Awards Meet the Speakers: 2019 Pan-African Women Forum, New York City Face2face Africa kicks off its 8th annual PanAfrican Weekend July 18-21 in NYC First African scientist awarded over 100 patents in drug discovery to be honored at the FACE List Awards Prior to joining the Firm, he worked at Royal Bank of Scotland for 10 years with his most recent role in Asia Pacific as Chief Operating Officer responsible for Operations, Technology and Corporate Services across the region. Prior to RBS, Peter has held a number of senior roles in both Operations and Technology at Deutsche Bank, KPMG and IBM.

Peter holds BEng (First Class Hons) and MSc (Eng) in Civil Engineering from The University of Birmingham, U.K. He is also on the Board of

Join Face2Face Africa as we honor Peter Akwaboah and other distinguished global leaders at the 2019 FACE List Awards Gala on Saturday, July 20, at Edison Ballroom in New York City. Visit panafricanweekend.com to see our full list of honorees, speakers, etc., and to register.

For corporate tables, contact info@f2fafrica.com.

About the FACE List Awards:

The FACE List Awards are a prestigious celebration of pan-African achievement that honor the black diaspora’s most influential pioneers and trailblazers, while providing an opportunity for the business community to connect and celebrate our success stories. The black-tie affair includes a pre-reception, live performances, a full-course dinner, and award presentations. Click Here for Tickets

Tropics Group of Companies and Creb Holding unveil line-up for their third annual Tropics Business Summit

3 African presidents, celebs and more attend GUBA Awards USA to celebrate Ghanaian excellence [Photos]

‘We are ready to expand our footprint to the US’ – GUBA founder Dentaa Amoateng

https://face2faceafrica.com

On Saturday, July 20th, Face2face Africa will will be hosting the much anticipated FACE List Awards gala, as part of the Pan-African Weekend festivities.

In its 8th annual edition, the FACE List Awards gala is a prestigious celebration of pan-African achievement that honors the black diaspora’s most influential pioneers and trailblazers, while providing an opportunity for the business community to connect and celebrate black excellence.

This year the company will be honoring another extraordinary group of visionaries, including one of Africa’s most vibrant entrepreneurs Kevin Okyere of Springfield Energy, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Peter Akwaboah, Fashion & Social Impact Entrepreneur Abrima Erwiah, Haitian actor and humanitarian Jimmy Jean Louis, founder and CEO of tech company AppsTech Rebecca Enonchong, and two rising star honorees tech genius Iddris Sandu and youngest trader on wall street Lauren Simmons.

The extravagant black-tie affair, which will kick off at 6:30pm at Edison Ballroom in NYC, will include a pre-cocktail reception, live performances, full-course dinner, award presenta-

tions, and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to network and dance the night away at the Afrobeat after-party right after the gala at the same venue.

This year’s awards is benefiting the Tarkwah Breman School, an all girls school in Ghana that is working to close the gender gap in education.

Tickets are $300 per person. For tables and group registration, contact paw@f2fafrica.com.

Other events taking place during the PanAfrican Weekend include the women’s forum on Thursday, July 18th, the IAAPA Networking Mixer on Friday, July 19th, and the closing event, Ankara Jazz Brunch on Sunday, July 21st.

Lean more about the Pan-African Weekend and register for any of the events here.

FRANCIS AKHALBEY

U.S. Issues Statement on Attack in Libya

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Press Statement

Morgan Ortagus

Department of State Spokesperson

July 3, 2019

The United States strongly condemns the abhorrent attack on a migrant detention facility in Tajoura, Libya, which reportedly killed 44 and injured more than 100 innocent civilians. We extend our deepest condolences to families of those killed and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. This tragic and needless loss of life, which impacted one of the most vulnerable populations, underscores the urgent need for all Libyan parties to de-escalate fighting in Tripoli and return to the political process, which is the only viable path to lasting peace and stability in Libya.

Seeking Better Outcomes for Mothers and Babies

By The Carter Center

May 10, 2019

accessories that are used in the classroom skill labs. In mid-2019 we will procure and deliver a second round of such materials.

Q: Why is it important to empower frontline health workers such as nurses and midwives?

These are the health workers who are the closest to the community and deal directly with the people, so it’s essential for us to work with them. We have community extension workers, who are produced by the colleges of health technology, and we have nurses and midwives, who learn at schools of nursing and midwifery. We would like Director Kenneth Korve, who leads the initiative from the Carter Center’s office in Jos, Plateau state, explains through a to work with many more, but there are financial constraints. series of questions and answers.

Through its Public Health Training Initiatives in Nigeria and Sudan, The Carter Center helps educational institutions improve the way they prepare health workers to serve the public. In Nigeria, the initiative supports one institution in each of six states.

Q: Why did The Carter Center and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health create the Nigeria Public Health Training Initiative?

Q: What sorts of equipment and materials does the initiative deliver to these institutions?

In the first phase (early 2018), we procured furniDeveloping countries generally have challenges in the area of ture, computers, laboratory equipment, consumhealth, particularly as it pertains to maternal, infant, and child ables such as reagents, plus accessories that are used in the classroom skill labs. In mid-2019 we needs, and Nigeria is not an exception. Nigeria’s minister of will procure and deliver a second round of such health attended a conference in 2012 on whether a successful materials.

Carter Center-led public health training program in Ethiopia could be replicated elsewhere. The minister liked the idea because this approach could have a nearly immediate impact.

Q: Why is it important to empower frontline health workers such as nurses and midwives?

These are the health workers who are the closest to the community and deal directly with the people, so it’s essential for us to work with them. We have community extension workers, who are produced by the colleges of health technology, and we have nurses and midwives, who learn at schools of nursing and midwifery. We would like to work with many more, but there are financial constraints.

Q: What sorts of equipment and materials does the initiative deliver to these institutions?

In the first phase (early 2018), we procured furniture, computers, laboratory equipment, consumables such as reagents, plus

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YES, It’s A RED HOT MARKET TO SELL or BUY

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOUSE Inspection, Appraisal, etc….

CLOSING COSTs; Fees paid at the day of closing by both sellers and buyers. These fees can cover lender expenses, taxes and insurance.

INSPECTION: Examination of the home for its condition. Handled by the licensed professional of your choosing.

It is always a pleasure to ink an article to you. Home Buying is an awesome investment to pursue; within that it is a process and time sensitive venture. Below are some key words or language you will hear from your realtor whether buying or selling a property. It is important to familiarize yourself with these terms.

TITLE: The bundle of rights for a property which will be handed to you by the Title Company to accept.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has provided helpful information in making your decision to home ownership a smooth one.

For more information about your real estate needs (buying, selling, leasing/renting a house) call me at 571-229-6694 and I will help you get started. Thank you.

OFFER: An agreement between a buyer and a seller to purchase real estate. Also referred Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® to as the sales contract.

Samson Properties EARNEST MONEY: A deposit that accom- Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and panies an offer to show the seller good faith. Maryland This deposit is held safely in escrow and put Licensed Life and Health Insurance CONTACT 571-229-6694 towards the mortgage.

Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com Website: borderlessrealestate.com CONTINGENCY: After an offer has been accepted, finalization of the closing can be contingent on certain terms example: Home

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"I struggled academically throughout elementary school yet became the best Neurosurgeon in the World in 1987" - Dr. Ben Carson!

I was raped at the age of 9 yet I am one of the most influential women in the World" - Oprah Winfrey!"

I didn't even complete my university education but became the World's richest man" - Bill Gates!"

I was sexually, mentally, emotionally and verbally abused by my father as far back as I can remember, until I left home at the age of eighteen, yet I am one of the most influential preachers in the World" - Joyce Meyer!"

I told my father that we would be very rich but he couldn't believe me. I made it a reality" - Christiano Ronaldo!"

I used to serve tea at a shop to support my football training and still became one of the World's best footballers" - Lionel Messi!"

I used to sleep on the floor in my friends' rooms, returning Coke bottles for food, money, and getting weekly free meals at a local temple, I later on founded Apple Company" - Steve Jobs!"

My teachers used to call me a failure, but I became a Prime Minister" - Former British PM, Tony Blair!"

I started Living Faith Church from A Lawn Tennis Court with three members only & Preach prosperity. Many of my friends criticised me, but today we have the largest church auditorium in the World & two world-class universities"Bishop David Oyedepo!"

I was in prison for 27 years and still became president."- Nelson Mandela!"

I drove a taxi to finance my university education but today I'm a billionaire" Mike Adenuga!

I was on the verge of suicide when an Idea of opening a restaurant hit me after I retired as a cook in the Navy. Harland Sanders, Founder of KFC I worked for my uncle since I was a small boy, people looked down on me. I later on took a loan from my uncle to open a tiny shop. I worked hard to make ends meet. Now I am the Word's Richest Man of African Decent (Richest Man in Africa). Aliko Dangote (was 23rd World's richest man on Forbes 2014 list)

I am a son of a black immigrant from Kenya, I graduated from Harvard and later on became a Senator in Chicago. I was also the President of the Most Powerful Nation on Earth.US President Barack Hussein Obama

I traveled to America in search of financial independency when I was 15yrs old. I became the World's Strongest Man 7 times and Mr Universe. I then got my Economics degree, then I became one of Hollywood's best actors before I was voted twice as governor of California (the world's 6th richest state after France and Britain). Former Governor of California Arnold Swarzzenegger_Failures or limitations of the past have no control over the greatness in you.

To him that believes, all things are possible.Don't wait for everybody to believe in your ability and dreams...Never design your life like a Garden where anyone can walk in and out......Design it like the Sky where everyone aspires to reach!Success is not obtained overnight. It comes in installments; you get a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow until the whole package is given out. The day you PROCRASTINATE, you lose that day's benefits.THINK ABOUT IT

CEANA 2019: Ewe Association of Charlotte lived up to expectations

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the convention, fundraising, administration, history and culture of the Ewe people, project selection, etc.

Today, CEANA is a registered NGO in Ghana and it is in the position to clear donations to institutions in the country without much difficulty. The organization can also assist other organizations and individuals in clearing their donations at ports in Ghana!

During the past 6 years, the organization has completed six community development projects, including classroom buildings and clinics. The completed projects are at, Tanyigbe Anyigbe, Keta-Vui, Alokoegbe, Amoussokope, Tsito Awudome, and Dawu.

The Tsito Awudome Medical Center was a recipient of medical equipment valued over $26,000.00. When members and the leadership of the group saw students in a viral video last year, wading and swimming on their way to and from school, they decided to do something about it! The organization worked with engineers at the Ho Technical University towards that end.

Source: sankofaonline.com

The largest hall in Charlotte NC, could not contain the large CEANA convention attendees. Besides the main hall, two other halls had to be hurriedly arranged to accommodate other attendees during the Saturday dinner! The attendees mainly came from all over the USA, Canada and Ghana.

The event started fiery on Friday July 30th, 2019 with an exquisite and spellbinding cultural performance by the Volta Dance Ensemble of Washington DC. The luxurious hall was literally transformed into a cultural festival in the heart of Eweland.

The group showcased the unique culture of Ewes as they performed Misago ( Husago), Gahu, Gota, and others to the delight of the large crowd gathered! The crowd was mostly cheering and at times some of the revelers come out to dance with the performers or doing their “own thing” wherever they stood or sat.

The vibrant and thought-provoking traditional dances from Eweland tell a unique story of the traditions and history of the Ewe people in Ghana, Togo, Benin and parts of Nigeria. Yes, indeed CEANA conventions have grown to be the most splendid and remarkable Ghanaian convention in the diaspora! Attendance in Charlotte was estimated be close to 700!

The achievements of CEANA have been on the upside recently. We cannot talk about the achievements of CEANA however, without mentioning the name of the outgoing President, Dr. Peter Nat Abotchie! He and his lieutenants have transformed the way CEANA does its business in many ways.

The results is what we have seen in the number of attendees and achievements CEANA has chalked consistently over the past several years! During his 6-year tenure, he put in place committees to handle all aspects of CEANA’s undertakings! From the organization of

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Five things Ivory Coast’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, will be remembered for Angola’s Jonas Savimbi in a battle that led to the Angola civil war of 1975.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Ivory Coast’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

Houphouët-Boigny, born on October 18, 1905, came from a long line of chiefs. He was set to succeed Kouassi N’Go, the village chief upon his death in 1910 but since he was too young to rule, the position was taken by his step-father as regent until he came of age.

He went to school, thanks to the French, who organised for him to attend school at the military base in Bonzi. He would go to a boarding school for his secondary education and eventually trained as a medical assistant.

Under this role, he created a union of indigenous doctors, something that saw the French move him to a different town to avoid labour issues.

He relinquished his position as village chief to his younger brother Augustine, preferring his medical career. He would enter politics in 1945, setting the stage for his future as the leader of the West African nation.

Like many African leaders of the time, he took a paternalistic approach in his rule, subduing any dissent and eventually becoming the longestserving African president at the time of his death in 1993.

He was against a unified Africa Just like his inspiration, French president Charles de Gaulle who did not want a unified Europe, Houphouët-Boigny was against a united Africa as proposed by Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah. He was more concerned about the Ivory Coast, which had just gained independence from France.

He was however not against the formation of African institutions over which he could have control.

He was involved in a number of coups in other African countries.

Houphouët-Boigny has mentioned adversely in a number of coups in Africa. The first was an attempt to overthrow Guinea’s Sekou Toure for his disregard of the French. In 1967, he promoted the creation of the Front national de libération de la Guinée (the National Front for the Liberation of Guinea), a reserve of soldiers ready to plot Toure’s downfall.

He would also be mentioned in the ouster of Nkrumah, with whom he had fallen out over the latter’s support of Toure. Houphouët-Boigny not only accused Nkrumah of trying to destabilise his country, but he also called for the boycott of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) meeting in Accra in 1963.

In 1966, Houphouët-Boigny allowed the conspirators of Nkrumah’s ouster to use his country as the base for their missions.

He would not stop there. He took part in the attempted coup of 16 January 1977 to get rid of Mathieu Kérékou of Benin and supported

Houphouët-Boigny was criticised for this construction as it contributed to the country’s poverty and a debt of more than US$10 billion in 1987. Further, it’s conThis president was also mentioned in the overthrow of struction happened at a time when Ivory Coast was Burkina Faso’s Thomas Sankara, with whom he had had a recovering from a two-year drought and a decline in tumultuous relationship. He was known to be a close friend the economy since 1978, thanks to the drop in cocoa of Blaise Compaore, who took over the presidency upon and coffee prices.

Sankara’s death.

Peacemaker in Ivory Coast For all his negative impact against his people and other His last involvement in a coup was in Liberia, where he over- Africans, Houphouët-Boigny would be remembered as saw the ouster of President Samuel Doe who had killed and one of the African leaders who ruled over a peaceful deposed Houphouët-Boigny’s friend and in-law, William country throughout his tenure.

Tolbert. According to former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman J. Cohen: In 1989, the UNESCO founded the Félix HouphouëtBoigny Peace Prize, funded by the Ivorian president On Christmas Eve 1989, a group of about 200 guerrilla fight- under his foundation. The prize was set up to “to honers crossed the border from Côte d’Ivoire into Liberia and our living individuals and active public or private bodbegan an insurgency designed to overthrow President Doe. ies or institutions that have made a significant contriThe insurgency was promoted and financed by Houphouët, bution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or mainsupported logistically by Burkina president Compaore, and taining peace in conformity with the Charter of the supplied by Libyan “leader” Muammar Gaddafi. The guerril- United Nations and the Constitution of UNESCO.” las marched toward the capital city of Monrovia, picking up additional fighters along the way, as President Doe’s army Ivory Coast eyeing eco-efficient city status with solarresponded with the burning of villages and the perpetration of powered tricycles massive human rights atrocities.

How an Ashanti princess established the Akan lineage He supported Françafrique in Ivory Coast after sacrificing her son in the 1700s As the leader of a former colony of France, HouphouëtIvory Coast Emerges as Africa’s Fastest Growing Boigny was seen as a contrarian for supporting an alliance Economy with the coloniser. With Francafrique, he alluded that the As Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast is Captured: former colonies will benefit in terms of economic growth and Proposal for Peace and Reconciliation political stability if they maintained their alliance with It comes with a cheque of $150,000, a gold medal and France.The term came under scrutiny before Houphouëta peace diploma. The first recipients of the award were Boigny attempt at making it a positive phrase. It was a term Nelson Mandel and Frederik Willem de Klerk for their that alluded to France’s continued colonisation of Africa effort in promoting understanding and overcoming of albeit in covert ways. prejudice in South Africa.

He was not shy to display wealth Houphouët-Boigny was known to display his wealth, explaining in 1983 that “People are surprised that I like gold. It’s just that I was born in it.”

In 2017, the award went to Giuseppina Nicolini, Mayor of Lampedusa (Italy) and the non-governmental organisation SOS Méditerranée (France) for their work to save the lives of refugees and migrants and welcome them with dignity.

He had homes in Paris, Italy and Switzerland and is said to have been worth $7 and $11 billion at the time of his death in 1993.

In 1985-1989, he constructed the biggest church in the world: the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, which he had made his capital in place of Abidjan. The church was Source: built with the finest marble from Portugal and Italy, with 36 stained-glass windows, hand-made in Bordeaux, France, with https://face2faceafrica.com an organ that is documented to reach volumes that could endanger one’s hearing. It was created to accommodate over NDUTA WAWERU | Contributor 18,000 worshippers.

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