Afrikan Post November 2019

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South African Airways Named “Best Airline In Africa” And “Best Business Class To Africa” By Business Traveler Magazine Pg. 5

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South African Airways Named “Best Airline In Africa” And “Best Business Class To Africa” By Business Traveler Magazine

Afrikan Post

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 n e a ls 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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George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor

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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Rwandan actress Oceanne Iradukunda to star in Hollywood TV series

Pg.35

African Union gives three best teachers $10,000 each at its first Continental Teacher Prize ceremony

Pg. 33 Russia ready to help Africa without conditions’ – Says Putin as he hosts 47 African leaders

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You Will Stand Pg. 11

Howard University Pharmacy/MBA Student Named Prestigious Express Scripts Scholar

Pg. 7

UPDATE

Former Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei Launches Autobiography in the United States Page 9

Fort Lauderdale, FL (December 4, 2019) – South African Airways (SAA) is honored to be named “Best Airline in Africa” and “Best Business Class to Africa” in the annual 2019 Best in Business Travel Awards survey by readers of Business Traveler Magazine. The Best in Business Travel Awards distinguishes the achievements of the most deserving organizations in the business travel industry and the readers of Business Traveler Magazine have selected South African Airways among a variety of top travel products and services. The publication has named SAA as the “Best Airline in Africa” for the last 11 years and for 10 consecutive years as “Best Business Class to Africa.”

“We are very proud to receive these awards and are grateful to Business Traveler Magazine and its readers for selecting South African Airways as the best airline for travel on the African continent,” said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. “Readers of the magazine are well versed in the world of business travel and are quite discerning. It is indeed a significant achievement to receive these accolades for so many years and is a testament to the talented team of SAA employees worldwide that are focused on delivering the best in world-classservice.”

“South African Airways has long been recognized by business travelers as one of the world’s leading airlines, offering exceptional air travel service across Africa,” said Dan Booth, editorial director of Business Traveler. “The Best in Business Travel Awards are the result of an independent survey, and thus truly reflect voice of the business travel community. To

have received these honors consistently for so many years certainly signifies a high level of commitment and excellence. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to the SAA team for this outstanding achievement.”

South African Airways is one of Africa’s most awarded airlines, honored with a 4-star rating for 17 consecutive years by Skytrax. South African Airways offers the most daily flights from the U.S. to South SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS NAMED “BEST AIRLINE IN AFRICA” AND “BEST BUSINESS CLASS TO AFRICA” BY BUSINESS TRAVELER MAGAZINE Africa with nonstop service from New York-JFK Airport and direct service from Washington, DC-Dulles Airport to Johannesburg via Accra, Ghana. Onboard, SAA offers an in-flight experience designed for pure comfort for long-haul travel. Our customers enjoy a spacious Economy Class cabin, a delicious choice of meals, a wide selection of complimentary spirits and award-winning South African wines and generous checked baggage allowance. Also included are individual audio / visual entertainment systems that deliver an extensive menu of first-run movies, music choices, and games. Via our Johannesburg hub, SAA links the world to over 75 destinations across the African continent and Africa’s Indian Ocean islands.

For further information on South African Airways product and services, please visit www.flysaa.com or for reservations call 1-(800) 7229675.

Bob Marley’s Widow Rita Marley Gets Ghana Citizenship

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African-American Tahira Muhammad Relishes Getting Ghanaian Citizenship 2019

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mindset. I feel that the mentality of the people is 60 years behind.

There’s no self-pride in being a Ghanaian. Ghanaians overall have little trust and support for themselves and their people and their abilities.”

The newly minted Ghanaian citizen elaborated: “There are many Ghanaians who have invented innovative things for the country but don’t get the recognition they deserve. Instead, credit goes to foreigners like Chinese and Lebanese. As a result, corruption and dishonest business practises penetrate the hearts and minds of the people and this has caused a vicious cycle of dishonesty and distrust.”

Photo courtesy of Tahira

Rita Marley is now officially a citizen of the West African country of Ghana.

The wife of reggae legend Bob Marley was honored with the Ghanaian citizenship by President Nana Akufo-Addo last week Wednesday, according to Pulse. She was one of 126 Africans who were bestowed with the new status. Rita Marley has been aiding Ghana in different areas for over 10 years. She is involved in projects that enhance the educational system through her Rita Marley Foundation. This includes scholarships and refurbishing and constructing new school buildings.

According to the Observer, President Akufo-Addo wrote, “On Wednesday, 27th November, 2019, I conferred Ghanaian citizenship on 126 of our kith and kin from the African Diaspora, who have lived with us for many, many years.”

In writing, he went on to say that, “The ceremony is part of the series of activities commemorating the ‘Year of Return.’ I urged them to respect and abide by the laws of Ghana; live in accordance with the tenets of Ghana’s Constitution; and guard jealously our country’s image.”

Rita Marley, who is now 73-years-old, was also the recipient of the 2019 Reggae Icon Award from the Government of Jamaica.

Source: https://urbanislandz.com/

Bob Marley

Ghana’s seat of government — Jubilee House — played host to one of the biggest ceremonies as part of activities commemorating the 2019 Year of Return, the Jubilee House event saw 126 AfricanAmericans and Afro-Caribbeans receive Ghanaian citizenship. This happens a little over a year after the official August 2018 launch of the Year of Return by Ghana.

Tahira Muhammad was among the 126. She tells TheAfricanDream.net that she first went to Ghana in 2000. The journalist and a teacher have an MA in Teaching English, she currently teaches secondary in Ghana and also teaches a class called Global Perspectives. “I use the Global Perspectives class to help young African students critically think about the issues facing Ghana and the continent as a whole,” Tahira told TheAfricanDream.net in an interview.

Tahira is one of the many descendants of African ancestry in the Americas and across the globe that have yielded to the call of Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo to return to Africa for the Year of Return, an event celebrating the resilience of African people and to also mark the 400th anniversary of the first Africans forcibly transported to what is now the United States of America.

“I will never forget that Wednesday, November 27, 2019 date as I stood amidst 126 AfricanAmericans and Afro-Caribbeans to recite the oath of allegiance which was administered by a judge in this moving ceremony. We all became new citizens of Ghana. My citizenship certificate and euphoria sis beyond description right now,” — Tahira Muhammad.

She went on to tell TheAfricanDream.net that she fell in love with Ghana from the hospitality of the people when she first visited and did not want to leave. So, when she returned to the US after that first trip she worked for a year during which she saved $3,500 US dollars working two jobs to enable her return to settle in Ghana for a year. “It was on my return that I met my now ex-husband and with whom I had my now beautiful 16-yearold son,” and with that, TheAfricanDream.net wanted to learn more of Tahira’s story.

When asked what the main thing she found peculiar about Ghana was, she said to her “the hardest thing was accepting the fact that many Ghanaians and Africans on the continent have a neo-colonial

“This was the hardest thing that almost made me want to give up. I think it hit me harder when I came back here from living in the Middle East for 9 years. Gulf Arab governments make sure that their people come first. Dubai was able to become a rich country from its tourism in 50 plus years. Ghana has far more resources but the people are still living in poverty.”

According to Tahira, on the day she obtained her Ghana citizenship, she finally felt a sense of belonging, this happening 20yrs after serving Ghana both locally and internationally. She explained that back in 2001 she helped 14 orphans go back to school by advocating for friends in the US to pay their school fees. One of them is now going to nursing school and some have positively moved on with their lives in different ways.

“While in Kuwait I also was a member of the Association of Ghanaians there. I participated in helping organize Ghana Independence Day Celebrations as well as sat in meetings to help arrest Ghanaians in Ghana who participated in the illegal trafficking of Ghanaian women to Kuwait.”

Besides these actions, Tahira feels she has paid her dues on the road to attaining Ghanaian citizenship, she says in addition to a smile that, “Ghana was responsible for the trading of my ancestors to the US Virgin Islands. So I feel that citizenship is due me.”

TheAfricanDream.net asked Tahira Muhammad what people from America and elsewhere visiting Ghana can expect as part of The Year of Return 2019 when they are in Ghana. She said “visitors coming to Ghana should appreciate the efforts that the diaspora in Ghana made to make sure that this was successful.”

“Unfortunately, there was an educational gap in the purpose of the Year of Return and as a result, some Ghanaians have turned it into a money-making event, instead of using it to establishing the lost connection between our people — so this is a work in progress, but there is hope.”

Overall it has been an emotional journey going back to Ghana again for Tahira after being away for almost a decade. Yet, what she hopes to happen is that people become more vigilant and help the country fight corruption and hold officials more accountable.

“Ghana is not up to its full potential and will not be able to until corruption is curbed I believe. Rwanda is a prime example of what an African country can become if corruption is minimized. I hope that Ghana can live up to the standards that its first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah wanted for her and Africa.”

And with that TheAfricanDream.net ended our first interview of a returnee. Do you have a story to share, contact us, we would love to hear from you, no matter where you are, oh and a happy YearOfReturn to all, including the other 125 new Ghanaian citizens. We wish you all the best…

Written by Oral Ofori

Howard University Pharmacy/MBA Student Named Prestigious Express Scripts Scholar

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Benin Kicks Out EU Envoy To The Country For “Interfering In Domestic Affairs”

President of Benin, Patrice Talon. Photo Credit: ABC News Ghana King D. Gyasi

WASHINGTON (November 21, 2019) Howard University College of Pharmacy student and MBA candidate King D. Gyasi has been named a 2019 Express Scripts Scholar, a major award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). The Express Scripts Scholars Program supports dual-degree students' diverse interests and increased financial need. It provides $10,000 scholarships to enrolled dual-degree students to help offset tuition, fees, books or cost of attendance.

University College of Pharmacy. “It highlights the benefits of the Pharm.D./MBA program and the great partnership we have had with the business school over the years.”

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Gyasi, who is expected to complete his MBA in Excellence in Truth and Service and has pro2019 and Pharm.D. in 2020, is one of only four stu- duced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman dents nationally selected for the scholar program.

Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars "Growing up in a small town called Obuasi, in and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces Ghana, West Africa, one of the biggest challenges more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipimy family and I faced was the lack of quality med- ents than any other university in the United ical facilities and treatment options,” Gyasi says.

States. For more information on Howard “My long-term goal is to increase access to afford- University, visit www.howard.edu. able medicine and quality healthcare in medically underserved countries around the world beginning # # # with my birthplace, Ghana.”

Media Contact: Sholnn Freeman, sholnn.freeAACP is comprised of 144 accredited colleges and man@howard.edu schools with pharmacy degree programs, including more than 6,600 faculty, 63,200 students enrolled in professional programs and 6,000 individuals pursuing graduate study.

“We are so excited that one of our students is a recipient of this scholarship,” says Toyin Tofade, Pharm.D., dean and professor of the Howard

Written by Howard Newsroom Staff

The government of Benin has ordered the European Union’s (EU) ambassador to the country, Oliver Nette, to leave the country by December 1, 2019.

According to reports, the German has been accused by the government of interfering in domestic Beninoise affairs.

DW quoted a senior official in the Beninoise government as saying, Nette “has interfered too much in domestic affairs. He constantly calls on civil society to protest against the government.”

The EU ambassador is also said to have undermined the legitimacy of Benin’s parliament that was constituted in April of this year.

The members of the new legislature were elected under new electoral laws which critics say were designed to keep out opposition party members from running due to certain strict criteria the law set.

On their part, the EU confirmed that the government of Benin informed the European body last week of its decision to sack Nette.

But a spokeswoman adds that “nothing can justify such a measure in the generally good relations that have existed up until now between the EU and Benin.”

Benin goes to the polls in 2020 in a presidential election that sees incumbent Patrice Talon looking to earn a second term.

Talon has, since the beginning of his presidency in 2016, been accused by opposition parties as well as local and international groups of stifling free speech in Benin.

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Former Ghanaian Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei Launches Autobiography in the United States 2019

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Prior to serving as Ghana’s ambassador to the United States (2006–2009), Dr. Bawuah-Edusei served as Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Austria, as well as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva and Vienna.

As a private citizen, Dr. Bawuah-Edusei formed an oil company – EO Group – with his partner Mr. George Owusu. The hard efforts deployed by EO Group eventually contributed to the discovery of oil in large commercial quantities for the first time in Ghana. This transformational asset helped Ghana move from a highly indebted poor country into a middle income one.

Throughout his stay in the U.S. from the mid-1980s, Dr. Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater (ret.) Fomer US Ambassador Bawuah-Edusei was a staunch community leader. He conto Ghana, now CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Africa tinues to be a resilient advocate for Ghana and still travels Society of the National Summit on Africa all over the country to help improve U.S.-Ghana relations through business promotion and advocacy.

In her foreword for the book, former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Pamela E. Bridgewater, who spoke at the Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei launch writes; “what you read in his engrossing and uplifting autobiography, Thrived: Despite the Odds, is At a festive ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield that Kwame was a successful medical doctor and busiVirginia, physician, business executive, diplomat, and philanthronessman before becoming a diplomat. His company, EO pist H.E. Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei launched his long-awaited Group (reflecting his partnership with George Owusu), autobiography – Thrived: Despite the Odds. was vigorously engaged in and finally successful in negotiating oil exploration and an unprecedented discovThe book is a harrowing tale of ups and downs through childhood, ery of “black gold” in Ghana, bringing wealth to the after he lost his father at age 4 as a community leader in the United nation and to the company.”

States, a diplomat, and an entrepreneur. Relative to oil discovery There was no conflict of interest and Dr. Edusei and his in Ghana, Dr. Bawuah-Edusei includes details about a protracted EO Group partner received full clearance from the US legal inquiry by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Justice and the then Government of Ghana Government of Ghana, as well as aspersions and personal attacks after a comprehensive review. that resulted in economic hardships. The book however ends with the triumph he always dreamed of and a challenge to all to “never Through his Edusei’s Foundation he also facilitates youth give up.” development in Ghana and the diaspora and supports infrastructural development and charitable causes, Addressing the guests at the U.S. launch, Dr. Bawuah-Edusei especially in the health sector. His interest is in youth remarked, development, women empowerment, job creation and philantropy “I decided to write this book because the truth always needs to be told. Delays can be harmful. I had to share my life experiences parThrived: Despite the Odds is scheduled to be launched in ticularly for the youth. They are the future and should know that Accra, and Kumasi (both in Ghana) before the end of even when faced with the most severe challenges, they should 2019. never give up.”

Fred Nnoma-Addison-AMIPnews

Guests at the Ceremony

Mrs. Evangeline Bawuah-Edusei giving the vote of thanks

Mr. Manuel Garcia, a financial expert making a contribution about Dr. Bawuah-Edusei’s book

Fred Nnoma-Addison of AMIPnews and Patricia Baine President of the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa with Dr. and Mrs. Bawuah Edusei after Offcially Launching the Autobiography

Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei on Voice of America - VOA Nightline Africa radio show in the VOA studios in Washington, D.C. with Host, Peter Clottey

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STEMi Makers Africa and US Consulate Lagos train 100 Educators in STEM will create a flourishing environment to match current global standards.“

Educators at the end of the 4-day training workshop assured STEMi Makers Africa and the Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate that they will start science clubs in their schools and redesign their respective curriculum to stimulate effective and exciting learning experiences.

Partners who contributed to the successful planning and execution of the event included Nestlé Waters, STAMPAR3D Design 460, NASA, Space Generation Advisory Council, Desert Bloom Advisory, Fields of Skills and Dreams VTE. Official media partners for the program were the US-based communication consultancy TheAfricanDream.net and ThisDay LIVE Newspaper of Nigeria.

Written by Oral Ofori

Participants and organizers at the STEMi event in Lagos

The United States (US) Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria from November 26-29 this year collaborated with the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation Makers Africa (STEMi Makers Africa) In a quest to cultivate a world-class STEM workforce by improving Educator’s competence with modern STEM Integrated tools.

Some 100 Educators from three Under-served Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State, Nigeria were trained under the program held at the IBM Innovation Center, Churchgate Towers in Victoria Island, Lagos – Nigeria lasted 4 days.

Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate General in Lagos — Russell Brooks — who spoke to educators about the importance of STEM cited examples of emerging technologies and how they are shaping today’s world. He said: “The world is moving at a very fast pace and may not wait for Nigeria to catch up with it,” stating further that participants embrace applied innovation in teaching to stimulate better learning in their students.

Read also: How inspiration of Brandon Mkhululi Muchenje creates jaw-dropping pieces

Amanda Uzoma Obidike — the Strategy Lead for STEMi Makers Africa — who was at the event told TheAfricanDream.net which is a media partner of STEMi Makers Africa that participants were also introduced to “the IBM Digital Nations Africa platform where they can access free courses, professional opportunities and develop solutions with STEM resources.”

The educators, selected from 32 pre-tertiary schools in Amanda emphasized that the STEM Integration and Development Training for Educators are to Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, and Ifelodun Ajeromi Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State benefited enable educators to be problem solvers and critfrom the program’s objectives of “Train-the-Trainer” ical thinkers able to analyze information to and build educators with exemplary practices to serve know what skills they need and when needed. as STEM ambassadors for promoting STEM Education in their respective schools. Another objective was to Amanda also told TheAfricanDream.net that the have the trainees train their colleagues and expand the training program wants to prepare educators learning community for effective sharing and knowl- who will serve as mentors and assist young students with transferable skills effective to deliver edge transfer of practical education. economic opportunities for communities, “this A rigorous, diverse and hands-on workshop training was offered at the event that engaged Educators in design thinking projects, hardware prototyping, data analytics, AI, engineering process, digital skills, and space science. Other training programs offered weer in applications, capacity building, applied pedagogues in practical teaching and others.

Crossestional interactions at the STEMi event during a training session

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You Will Stand!

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah Where are they now? Are they still visible to you? Are they parading in your face at work, at home, family and association gatherings? Do you still see them conniving against you in plain sight or are they doing it in secret? Have they constructed numerous obstacles against you that you can’t seem to find your way to your moment of triumph, your future of success? Fret not as I assure you.

Those enemies you see today, you will see no more.

At the brink of facing what seemed to be a failed attempt to freedom via the Red Sea, when the Egyptians were feverishly pursuing the Children of Israel to return them to captivity, Moses stood confidently in front of Israel’s host and promised them, "do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again” (Exodus 14:13). It had taken Moses many trials, and tests and constant communication with “I Am” to come to the point of having complete confidence in God to make such an assertion.

Christians’ real relationship experience with God repeatedly confirms the reckless abandonment that we can have in Him. We can abandon all fear and know that He will show up for us, that He will reward our faithfulness and effort, despite the attempts of the enemy.

Like Moses, we can advise ourselves not to be shaken or dismayed by the works of our enemies. Rest assured that as a child of The Most High God, anyone who comes against you will fail. It does not matter how much and how long they

weigh their opposition to you. They will surely fail. Like the devil whose future is very clear in the Book of Revelations, your enemies, those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing posing as friends will fall. Those wolves that are bold enough not to disguise themselves will also fall.

They will tumble and tumble hard and they will crash into the thickest of walls.

They will implode and then explode for all to see your vindication and the glory of God upon your life, so fret not.

Consider the case of Joseph and his brothers. Young and innocent Joseph, a child born out of love and pain came only to be hated and betrayed by his own flesh and blood. Does this ring true to you or someone you know? Then encourage yourself and/or encourage that person who has been so hurt by his or her own relatives. Encourage them and assure them that just as the Bible teaches that Joseph’s brothers may have thought they were hurting him, even through the pain of being dispossessed, cast aside and enslaved, Joseph, through the love, will and plan of God, was elevated to second in command in the land of Egypt.

Encourage yourself and your loved one that the very enemies who hate and war against you will come on bended knees to seek your forgiveness and acknowledge you as the great and favored person of God that He intended you to be. Keep in line with God and “with your eyes, will behold the reward of the wicked” (Psalm 91: 8).

When your enemies are jealous of you, their envy and even hatred can lead them to be conniving and even destructive.

But if you are a child of God, if you have devoted your heart and life to God, who can stand against you? No one! Take a look at that great man Daniel, a man who prayed continuously, a man who communed with God despite all threats against his livelihood and life in Babylon, a place of debauchery and evil. He stood up for God, and as a result, God also stood up for him. Intelligent, hardworking, honest and faithful to God, Daniel had risen in the ranks and become an administrator in Babylon, the land of his captivity. You see, even when you don’t seem to belong somewhere, even when people don’t believe you deserve your position in a foreign country, at work or even at church, as long as God has placed you there, and as long as you maintain your relationship with Him, He will lift you up and protect you even when the jealous ones seek your demise.

Because he was a righteous and hard-

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working man, Daniel found favor with the King of the land, King Darius. Resentful of his success and favor with the king and that he unashamedly worshiped and prayed daily to his God, instead of the gods of the land, those who perceived him as an affront conspired to have him thrown into the Lions’ Den. So even after they had tricked the king to sign a decree that anyone who worships any other aside from the king himself should be thrown into the Lions’ Den to be devoured by the beasts, and indeed Daniel was thrown into the den for preferring his God than any law, God saw his faithfulness and not only saved Daniel from the lions, but also punished the conspirators and their families with death (Daniel 6:24).

As in the case of Daniel, many times, the efforts to derail you will be intentionally tailored for you. The lies will be constructed personally against you. The false accusations will be tailored made for you and the traps in the paths will have your name on them. But as He did it for Daniel, God will do it for you. The morning after being thrown into the lion’s den to be destroyed, a worried King Darius ran to the den to see if Daniel had been killed. But Daniel said to him, “my God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22). Just as Daniel, when your enemies conspire against you expecting your downfall, you will not fall, but stand and be able to declare that you are not harmed, because you have been found innocent in the sight of the Lord!

Will people and evil forces come against us? Sure! Will they come against us even at our most faithful to God? Of course!

They connived against Joseph and they plotted against Daniel, so what makes us any different? They will come, but they will not stand. They were not meant to stand; you were, for they have already been made your footstool (Psalm 110:1). We have illustrated how innocent children of God such as Joseph and Daniel were pursued by evil wishers. Now we turn to how two infamous pursuers of God’s children, unashamed enemies of God, were dealt with.

All the evil that Jezebel and Ahab cruelly unleashed against the children of God was devastating, yet Ahab and his wife, enemies of God’s children paid a very terrible price and your enemies who wage war against you will pay a dear price. One such instance was the evil that Ahab and Jezebel did against Naboth. In I Kings chapter 21,

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we learn that Naboth owned a land passed down from his family. Ahab wanted that land for a vegetable garden, but Naboth told him he couldn’t sell it because it was family property.

But Jezebel, conspired to have Naboth killed so that she could take the land and give it to her husband. She did.

She had Naboth stoned and presented the land to her husband. But the Lord sent the prophet Elijah to tell Ahab, “the LORD says, "Haven't you murdered a man? Haven't you taken over his property?…Dogs licked up Naboth's blood. In that same place dogs will lick up your blood. Yes, I said your blood!" The LORD says, 'I am going to bring horrible trouble on you. I will destroy your children after you. I will cut off every male in Israel who is related to you. It does not matter whether they are slaves or free” (I Kings 22: 19-21).

Indeed, the Lord fulfilled all His words. The Books of First and Second Kings teach us that after all the evil he perpetrated, Ahab was killed (I Kings 22: 37) and so were all his children (2 Kings 10:9). The Lord was sure to recompense him for all his atrocities and he, in the end, with all that he had built, particularly as a genealogical legacy, came to nothing short of a horrendous and destructive end. And what happened to his most evil idolworshipping wife? When she least expected that she would meet her demise, she was thrown out of a window and died upon her violent fall, and just as it had been prophesied by God, she was not afforded a decent burial as her remains were quickly devoured by dogs that she, this powerful queen, was terribly disposed of (2 Kings 9: 32-37).

So after reading all of this, are you still bothered about what people are doing against you? Are you still worried about what your enemies might be plotting against you? Why? Leave it to God. Know that you cannot defend yourself as well as God can defend you. Know that you cannot recompense them better than God can.

Move on with your life and your work in God’s vineyard. Focus on your calling and don’t waste any time with all the noise and chatter around you.

You have already overcome, so don’t fret. Your enemies will fall, but you, my friend, will stand!

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Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies (JAGILS) Host Annual Fundraiser Dinner Gala

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external actions and acquisitions, but rather to focus on how one feels the self internally, the true authentic self — thus self-esteem is not meant to be a constant measure of comparisons to others but rather an internal knowingness that one is enough. We are all individuals. Each of us is unique. We have a soul. We are who we are and when we feel and accept this, then goodness arises and deep good concern for the other grows.”

How I Saw Children And Youths

By Victor Gotevbe & Ikenna Asomba

The President, Children of the Earth, Dr. Nina Meyerhof, has affirmed that she invested so much in young people because they needed to be aware not to imitate what came before them, but rather to step into their own lives and feel, who am I, and self-determine what is a productive life.

Meyerhof, made this remark shortly after being honored with the 2019 Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute For Leadership Studies (JAGILS) Lifetime Achievement Award, last Saturday, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Centre, Alexandria, Virginia, the United States.

This is even as the maiden edition of the Dr. Nina Meyerhof Leadership Award was launched at the event highly attended by heads of governments, academics, diplomats, human rights, peace and social justice activists, as part of JAGILS Annual Dinner Award Gala.

In her speech shortly aftebeing conferred with the JAGILS Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr. Meyerhof, who reminisced with nostalgia her sojourn with young people from across the world, said, “I am forever grateful for my life. I am forever grateful to have had the courage to follow my passion and dreams. I learned that to follow one’s heart meant to be open to what lies in front of one’s self and to follow one step at a time and to go wherever this leads…. I am forever grateful to receive this award. The Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies (JAGILS) Lifetime Achievement Award. Such a distinction, I am humbled.”

Commending the Chief Executive Officer, JAGILS, Dr. Samuel Jacobs-Abbey, for such a noble idea to institute the Annual Dr. Nina Meyerhof Leadership Award, she said, “I am forever grateful to Sammy, my son, as he is forever loyal and generous and wishes to give back. He remembers his roots. He remembers his opportunities. So, this award is also about Samuel Jacobs Abbey, as how many people would remember to appreciate their past as building their future. Thank-you Sammy.”

My Story

Recalling her story, the President, Children of the Earth, said,

“For me, it took years to have the courage to step out of the box. I was always completing what was expected until I finally reached my doctorate and then asked myself, what now?…. and NOW was all there was. In the NOW, I am FREE. You are Free. We are all free.

“I wanted young people to know that they need not imitate what came before them, but rather to step into their own lives and feel, who am I, and self-determine what is a productive life. For a life to have meant one must have the sense that one is contributing to the greater whole. Native Americans ask that whatever we do that we consider the impact of our actions seven generations forward.

“The question asked is why does life become meaningful when one feels the light of purpose? We start to experience “ I am you and you are me”. No longer is there a need for anger nor competition or greed but an only increase of the knowingness that we are One.

“So, as I asked myself about my own purpose, “Who am I? Thus, I started asking young people the same question. Young people, as leaders of the future, needed to know that they no longer needed to imitate what came before them but rather to choose their own life path of purpose. They are the builders of the coming culture and the forging new system’s thinking. If we want to change, then they must feel the impulse and trust themselves to be the builders of these new models for the emerging global understanding of synthesis and unity.

Brilliance and innovation come from young people stepping into their future.

“A leader is a person who knows his or her passion, feels this inside the Heart and uses the Wisdom of the mind to translate this into action. We are each a leader if we trust ourselves.

“For me, before I trusted myself, I felt like one half of me was filling obligations and seeking success, while the other half of me was dreaming of a better world. My parents had suffered deeply. The world was suffering. I always cared when I felt another’s a pain. I was their advocate. I always felt I was born into so much… not money and material wealth, but love and goodness and smarts and more.

“I saw those that had less and deeply felt their personally demeaning comparisons and sense of personal lack. I knew this feeling of not enough was not truly based on exteriors, but more important of how one felt internally. One does not need to prove the self from the

Continuing, Meyerhof disclosed that “I saw children and youth as the mirrors of all that could be. If the next generation could believe in themselves and give generously, then, we could begin to feel the interconnectedness and interdependence of all of life. I wished for these youth to learn to tap into their own conscious awareness of who it is they are. I wanted to further foster creating a better world. I believe that to do this, we must mix and match young people from all cross-sections of the world in order to learn their samenesses and dreams while, at the same time, honoring their differences. It is not about learning tolerance and compromise but rather true acceptance.

“I worked to take selected young people crisscrossing all around the world from Nepal to Kazakhstan to Thailand to India to Canada to Japan to the US and more. I believed in staging activities for them to learn and to know their personal importance. Imagine coming from Ghana and learning about Buddhism while living with your friends from Nepal or Pakistan. One world for all. We are a human family of humankind.

“I remember Sammy. I remember something in his eyes that told me he was hungry for greater things than his present situation. I am sure, at first, it was to be rich and successful and follow the American dream… a make-believe concept. But with time, Sammy realized and reached inside and realized that it is important to be a young man who could make a difference. He started to become informed. He started to care not only for his future but for the future of others. For me, this is a great success. The great ripple effect. And now he cares about the injustices in the world. He does his part, as I did my part, and the cycle of caring continues.

“I gave all I could give and yet I still cannot stop as what is the meaning of life, if not an opportunity to apply one’s self to life? Now is a time of systemic change. The world is in near chaos and the dark abyss seems so close. Climate crisis and human crisis demand caring beyond the individual self. In fact, it is so clear that an individual must take a position.

The time has come to go beyond apathy. It is an excellent time to sincerely dedicate one’s life for the good of all.

“It is also a time when consciousness, as a term, has become a reality. We have our individual consciousness as well as the collective consciousness. Each generation evolves within this framing. This next generation will have more access to the higher understanding of how our world works. They will guide us

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Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies (JAGILS) Host Annual Fundraiser Dinner Gala spaces, transformative learning, an experience of the good of all humanity and personal reflection and action for peace to increase and spread beyond. YES, We are all One,” she noted.

In his message, themed, “Champions of Change,” the Executive Director, JAGILS, Dr. Samuel Jacobs-Abbey, stated that “We are all either Champions of change or victims of circumstances. It is a simple matter of personal and collective choice. If we are to change the world and make it a better place for our children and our children’s children, we must begin that process within changing ourselves and our thinking. Our best thinking is what has created our reality and, as Albert Einstein so wisely said, no problem can be resolved by the same consciousness that created it. Once we transform our own thinking, only then can we expand it to include and involve others. into survival or to doom. So it is up to each of you to foster their “As a Human Rights, Peace and Social Justice activists, I evolutionary development. have experienced, first-hand and up-close, the tragedies, horrors and atrocities of human conflict and I have dedicated my life since that time, some 20 years ago, now, to creating “I am so grateful that I heard my soul’s calling. I am so grateful that a world that in which love and peace replace hate and fear.

I know we are all brothers and sisters. I once took 250 young chil“There is still much work to do and I welcome each of you dren from war torn situations to the UN to present on Human to the mission for which we were all born. But eradication Rights. The young man addressing this assembly at the UN said we of war and conflict is not the entire solution. Even in peace, all have different color hair, different color eyes, different color skin there are high degrees of human suffering, injustice and crubut we all have red blood and a warm heart. Then he asked….”Why elty inflicted upon the poor, the imprisoned, the hungry, the do you teach us to hate?” sick, the homeless, the needy and the helpless. Until we “So now I carry the torch forward. I visited Auschwitz about 5 years accept and embrace all these human beings as our brothers ago. This in many ways was my familial point of origin as I had lost and sisters, the necessary transformation will not occur.

That, my friends, is a choice each of us must make in our 20 relatives to the Holocaust. I had always ignored my past and minds and our hearts. That is the starting point.” spent my life focused on creating a brighter future. Now, I returned to the point of where my heritage started and realized that this trauma was the impetus that pushed me into pursuing peace for all. This Ms. Juliana Ama Kplorfia, Founder of Girls Excellence Movement (GEM), a trustee of JAGILS and Officer-Infocus became my new raison d’etre. And thus this is my legacy Charge of Presidential Households at the Presidency of the piece.

Republic of Ghana gave an inspiring speech drawn from the experience of young girls in need of sanitary pads whilst “For the past 5 years, I have visited the place of the murder of soliciting for support for JAGILS. more than one million Jews plus many Polish and Roman peoples and began to imagine and plan to take humanity forward from A number of individuals who have continued to impact NEVER AGAIN to building a City of Hope… a One Humanity humanity positively were recognized and honored with the Institute. Personally, I am dedicated to make visible the realities of Dr. Nina Meyerhof Leadership award, namely: Prof. Dr. this possibility with the many colleagues who hold similar visions.

Nabhit Kapur, Founder and president of Peaceful Mind It is to be the place where I can land all the dreams and ideas I held Foundation; Jenkins Macedo, Founder/Executive Director close to my heart for my lifetime. Thank you, Domen Kocevar for of INDESEEM Inc.; Mrs Grace Faraja Nkundabantu, CEO spearheading this dream with me.” and founder of African Girls Hope Foundation (AGHF); Mr. “It is a most critical time to make real and concrete and visible for Joseph Jay Yarsiah, Country Manager for Save the Children, Liberia Country Office; and Ms. Edith Kachale-Bandam, the world to realize peace and sustainability are possible! Peace is Director of Joyce Banda Foundation International, Malawi. not the absence of war but rather an established equity for all. So, we ask, If not us, then who will do this? There we are imagining a The event also had a special moment where three (3) perhome for best practices and solutions to all our self-created ills. A sons received the JAGILS’ citation of honor: Hon. Kojo place where each individual can experience and realize their own relevance to creating a future that cares for all. Imagine leaving the Yankah, Former Minister of State and Member of Parliament from Ghana; Richard & Vivian Crabbe, World Renowned darkest moments in western history shattered by humanity’s inhumane behavior to leading to an adjacent campus where one can seek Marriage Counselors, Dynamic Relationship Incorporated; and Apostle Dr. Daniel Ahia-Armah, General Overseer and answers to the potentials for a better world.

Founder of Kingslight Chapel International.

“There each person will have the opportunity to learn how to make Other recipients were His Excellency, Vice President a difference. This initiative, for me, is a culmination of all my life’s Republic of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel H. Taylor, and work…it is to be the home for the people’s of the world, a place Executive Director, Edd Branson Foundation, Ambassador that spurred the concept of the UN and the Declaration of Human Dr. Prophet Edd Branson. They were both presented with Rights, and now to become a place for evolving peace and sustainthe JAGILS’ Humanitarian Awards. ability for all.

“One Humanity Institute is to be your home of ideas, co-working

Meanwhile, in her closing remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, JAGILS, Naa Kordee Jacobs-Abbey, who appreciated all and sundry for the support given towards the success of the event, disclosed that “When Samuel and I talked about Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Global Leadership Studies, we felt it was a divinely instruction to put up this institute as a way of empowering people. Today, see what the Lord has done. As you may know already, the Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies is a research, teaching, training and leadership institute that critically provides strategic transformational thinking as a philosophy designed to help anyone who applies it to improve their current and future reality with the premise that, if we want to change the world, we must first change our thinking.

“I want to let you know that your presence, support and financial push will be your testimony, wherever you go and whatever we’re doing. The fact that we are there on behalf of our love for humanity never ceases to humble me, and also provide an extraordinary sense of responsibility.

“So, I am grateful to be part of this event. We all want to be good stewards of our capacity to pass on to those who come after the opportunity to use these rooms and to be part of the history that they represent. So, for all of that we are each deeply grateful to you, the Champion of Change. And on a personal note, I want to thank one more person for coming, my spiritual Father and Mother Apostle Dr and Rev. Mrs. Daniel Ahia-Armah.”

Jacobs-Abbey Global Institute for Leadership Studies is a not-for-profit educational and resource organization dedicated to equipping, learning, fostering vibrant, competent, research, teaching, training and leadership that critically provides strategic transformational thinking as a philosophy designed to help anyone who applies it to improve their current and future reality with the premise that, if we want to change the world, we must first change our thinking.

We make it easy to give a secure, tax-deductible donation online. Select an amount then fill in your personal and payment information. Join us in equipping our students and community with knowledge

Political Dynasties: 6 African Presidents Whose Fathers Were Also Presidents

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On more than one occasion in Africa, political power in a republic has been transferred directly from father to son. There have also been a number of occasions where the leader or president of an African country is the son of a past president with only a few years or decades separating the father’s regime from the son’s time in office.

Political dynasties are not unique to Africa; history is replete with multiple instances from around the world where sons have gone on to be presidents, following the path of their fathers.

America, which prides itself as a model for democracy for the rest of the world, has two examples of father-son Presidents: John Adams and his son John Q. Adams during the nation’s early years, and more recently, George Walker Bush and his father George H.W. Bush.

Here, Face2Face Africa takes a look at six instances in Africa where a son went on to ascend to political power after his father in a system of government that was not a monarchy.

Ali Bongo became president of Gabon in 2009 after the death of his father. Time for Africa.

Omar Bongo Ondimba was President of Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009. That same year, his son Ali Bongo Odimba contested for the presidential seat under the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), winning the election with a total of 42 percent of all the votes. Before he was elected president, Ali Bongo had held several key political positions during his father’s regime, including the Gabonese Minister for Defence.

Sworn into office in 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta, is regarded as Kenya’s youngest president. He is the fourth president of Kenya and the son of the first president, the legendary Jomo Kenyatta.

The younger Kenyatta was first elected president in 2013 on the platform of The National Alliance Party (TNA). The election results were initially disputed, but a Supreme Court decision later held that Uhuru’s election was valid.

There is a 34-year gap between Jomo Kenyatta’s time in office and that of his son Uhuru. Many consider it an example of a healthy father-son “political dynasty” in Africa. The younger Kenyatta has been in politics for the most of his adult life, having variously served as finance minister and deputy Prime Minister.

Faure Gnassingbé immediately assumed office as President of Togo after the death of his father until an international backlash forced him to stand down and contest elections. Bella Naija.

In April 2015, Faure was elected to a third consecutive 5-year term in office, defeating his main challenger with 59 percent of the vote according to official poll figures. Faure had served earlier as the Togolese minister of equipment, mines, and posts under the government of his late father. Together, father and son Gnassinbgé have led Togo for 49 years out of its 56 years postindependence history.

Ian Khama has continued the good legacies of his father, and Botswana today is one of the most developed countries in Africa. Alchetron

President of Botswana, Ian Khama Botswana is widely regarded as an African success story, enjoying representative democracy, a stable socio-political climate, respect for the rule of law, and a thriving economy. Seretse Khama became the first President of Botswana after its independence from British rule. Many consider him as the founder of the country because he largely established the groundwork for the economic and social progress the country enjoys today.

Joseph Kabila became the president of DR Congo 10 days after the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila in 2001. Mondiaal Nieuws

Kabila was barely 30 years old when he took office as President of the DRC a mere ten days after the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila in 2001. Early on, many political observers dismissed the young Kabila as naive and inexperienced. However, he subsequently went on to prove himself as a capable negotiator and administrator.

Navin Ramgoolam has served two terms as Prime Minister of Mauritius. His father was the first Prime Minister of Mauritius after independence. Mauriceinfo.mu Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navin Ramgoolam

Navin Ramgoolam is the son of Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of Mauritius. He was the foremost independence activist and played a crucial role in shaping the government of modern Mauritius, introducing social services like universal education, free health care, and old-age pensions https://face2faceafrica.com/

MARK BABATUNDE

10 African Presidents Who Have Died in Office in the Last 10 Years

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In the years following independence from colonial rule, Africa has been blessed with some outstanding leaders, such as Nelson Mandela and Seretse Khama, who have become global icons of exemplary and selfless leadership. Sadly however, Africa has also had a surplus of sit-tight leaders who choose to remain in office despite poor health or becoming unpopular with their fellow countrymen.

Some, like Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, have ignored corruption charges and ill health to cling on to power, while others like Gambian President Yayha Jammeh have declared, “If I have to rule this country for one billion years, I will, if Allah says so.”

As the January 19th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) deadline requiring Jammeh to step down approaches, Face2Face Africa makes a rundown of 10 African presidents who have died in office in the last 10 years.

Omar Bongo Ondimba of ruled Gabon for 42 years. From 1967 until his death while still in office in 2009. Photo Credit: amba-maroc

Lansana Conte, Guinea Photo Credit: Ladepeche

https://face2faceafrica.com/

João Bernardo Vieira, GuineaBissau

Umaru Musa Yar’adua of Nigeria had a well-documented history of In 2008, President Lansana Conte João Bernardo Vieira became prime health-related complications, but that Guinea died in office aged 74 after did not stop the political pendulum minister of the former Portuguese years of battling complications from colony of Guinea-Bissau in 1978, a from swinging in his direction ahead diabetes and heart-related position he held for a brief two-year of the 2007 Nigerian presidential conditions.Conte assumed office as elections.He died aged at the age of period. In 1980, Vieira seized Guinea’s head of state and military ruler power and went on to rule Guinea- 58 on May 5th, 2011, at the Aso after leading a 1984 coup that toppled Rock Presidential Villa Abuja, barely Bissau for 19 years. the government. In 1993, Conte three years into his four-year tenure. resigned from his military position in order run in the 1993 Guinean presidential polls.

Bingu wa Mutharika, Malawi Photo Credit: Al Jazeera

re-elected in 2009 after achieving broad success in his food and agricultural policies. However, Mutharika’s administration was marred by widespread public protests over his purchase of a $14 million presidential jet.The 78-year old Mutharika suffered a heart attack on the morning of April 5th, 2012, and was flown to a south African hospital where he was confirmed dead two days later.

Muammar Gaddafi became Libya’s leader in 1969 after he seized power from the Libyan monarchy following a bloodless military coup. He ruled Libya for 42 years with classic strongman tactics, however his time came to an end in the aftermath of the Arab Spring revolution that toppled many governments across north Africa and the Middle East in 2011.

Malam Bacai Sanhá was named the president of Guinea Bissau after winning the 2009 presidential polls. He was a career politician who had previously served as head of parliament and acting president after the fall of João Bernardo Vieira.He died at 64 years of age in a Paris hospital in January 2012. He was only president for four years.

John Atta Mills, Ghana Photo Credit: Pulse

Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia Photo Credit: Awramba

Michael Sata, Zambia

President John Atta Mills of Ghana was barely three years into his fouryear presidential term when he died of a cardiac-related condition in 2012. Mills became president after winning the 2008 presidential election where he defeated his main challenger, Nana Akufo-Addo, by a slim margin following two rounds of elections.

Meles Zenawi was president of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995 and then prime minister from 1995 to 2012, for a total of 21 years in power.

Zenawi died at a Belgian hospital in August of 2012 at 57 years old. His official cause of death was the result of sudden infection.

Michael Sata of Zambia, who died in 2014, is the most recent African president to have died in office.

Sata, a long time opposition politician, was elected president in 2011.

Before his victory, he had been a leading trade unionist and a member of parliament.

Fashion Is Fulfilled When Replete With U.S. fumes as Zambia jails gay couple for 15 years Life-Touching Actions

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NOVIEKU-BABATUNDE ADEOLA |

— Sally Torpey

Sally Torpey, the designer behind the SALLY TORPEY brands Ohemaa and the JAK Gentile Giant Collection which is in honor of former President of Ghana John A. Kufuor has called on Fashion Designers across the world to see fashion as a means to touch lives and impact society.

She says fashion is not just about the glitz, glamour, and elegance but a means to give back to the deprived in society.

Sally made this known at the ‘Adoma’s Year of Return‘ fashion show held at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (US) to commemorate eight years since the loss of Akua Adoma who passed away on July 24, 2011, in Pennsylvania after a prolonged battle with brain cancer. The event was to help raise funds for medical assistance for individuals, especially children in Ghana in need of critical healthcare.

Read also: Akua Adoma Memorial Hope Foundation to raise brain tumor awareness in Ghana

The event organized by Juliana Oates — CEO of Aba Designs — herself a fashion designer saw Africans from various US states like New York, Maryland, Washington DC, New Jersey and Virginia attending.

Sally Torpey used the occasion to display some clothes from her latest collection and to help raise funds and said: “We are trying to support Adoma’s Year of Return and the Adoma Hope Memorial Foundation, so they can support other kids in Ghana. We all know diseases and deprivation is what steals away joy so we want to help other people stay alive and stay strong.”

She also explained that though the fashion industry in Ghana is rapidly growing, there was a need for Fashion Designers to pay attention to their standards of production to help position them well on the global market, because 2019 is about to go on record for Ghana as the year the country received the most visitors and tourists,

majority of whom are from the African diaspora.

Read also: Ghanaian Fashion designer Sally Torpey changing the African Narrative through Fashion

She expressed concern over the low investor confidence in the Ghanaian fashion sector and appealed for more partnerships to enable it to build strong brands. “Sometimes it is about getting the correct contacts that propel you and our industry which is why I commend jazz guitarist and technologist Nathan Pryce for being among the folks who made purchases tonight to support and Juliana Oates for putting together this event,” she reiterated.

Sally creates and produces simple, elegant, and sophisticated indigenous textiles and clothing for both men and women and is the African Ambassador for the Fashion Business Association of America, where she dedicates her time to helping promote the Africa Fashion industry.

Learn more about Sally Torpey and the Akua Adoma Memorial Hope Foundation by visiting www.SallyTorpey.com and www.facebook.com/akuaadomafoundation respectively. TheAfricanDream.net was official media partner for the event.

In the following link is a video recap from the event which also featured traditional Ghanaian drumming and dancing, food and cultural interactions: https://youtu.be/ts9RGY57dlo Written by Oral Ofori & Mavis Okyere

The United States and the government of Zambia have clashed over the sentencing of a gay couple by a high court judge in the country’s capital, Lusaka.

millions of public dollars without prosecution, political cadres can beat innocent citizens for expressing their opinions with no consequences, or poachers/traffickers can kill numerous elephants, barThe sentencing of the couple on barically chainsaw and sell their Wednesday caused an uproar from tusks, and face a maximum of the international community, only five years imprisonment in especially the U.S., who have Zambia,” Foote bemoaned. encouraged several governments to consider laws that punish He further warned of a breakminority groups. down in relationship between Zambia and the U.S. unless The ruling meant that Japhet President Trump interfered.

Chataba and Steven Samba were sentenced to 15 years in prison for Reacting to the accusations in a what the judge termed “crimes distributed video on social media, against the order of nature” in Zambia’s foreign affairs ministry, Zambian legal term.

Joseph Malanji, said: “Zambia takes great exception to the Describing the development as remarks,” both on the court ruling disturbing, the U.S. ambassador to and about government officials.

Zambia, Daniel Foote, said in a statement: “I was personally horriA demarche – a political step or fied to read yesterday about the initiative – will be presented to sentencing of two men, who had a Washington today as a diplomatic consensual relationship, which step, Zambia served notice. hurt absolutely no one, to 15 years imprisonment.”

However, the US diplomat Foote, has blatantly accused the Zambian authorities of having double stanhttps://face2faceafrica.com/ dards when it comes to pursuing other crimes.

The sentencing of the men was particularly disturbing given that “government officials can steal

November 2019

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Here Are The Five Biggest Alcohol Drinking Countries In Africa.

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among men.

Common traditional beers which are barred by the government include chang’aa and busaa. Of course, there are renowned brands like Tusker, among others.

Rwanda This is yet another East African nation on the list, which is a worrying trend for the economic growth of the region, don’t you think?

While making and drinking beer is a business in itself, overindulging in this, can cause paralysis in the economy as the young, strong people are reduced to addicts.

Many people in Rwanda, like in Uganda make homemade drinks using local ingredients such as bananas (urgwagwa), sorghum (Ikigage), and honey (ubuki).

Only 8 percent of the local consumption comes from beer, while the other 92 percent is contributed by the local brew.

Nigeria tops the list of Africa’s heaviest drinkers which is contributed by their tradition of drinking palm wine. Three East African Nations; Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya are also on the list.

February 24th, 2017Before I embark on writing this article, I have to remind you that excessive drinking is harmful to your health. For that reason, I do not in any way encourage you to keep drinking, rather, keep the bottles down and enjoy a longer and healthier life.

Having tackled that, let us get the ball rolling.

Africans are known for appreciating good food and drinks. Drinking alcohol is part of the larger African culture.

People drink at weddings, circumcision ceremonies, burial, and at other social gatherings. Most Africans engage in drinking sprees, with many partaking locally brewed alcohol, which according to scientific analysis could be toxic.

Here are the five biggest alcohol drinking countries in Africa.

Nigeria Nigeria came up at the top of the list of hardest drinking nations in the African region.

Culturally, Nigerians are known to make and enjoy ‘ogogoro’ a local beer produced using the juice of raffia palm trees. Nigerians also enjoy palm wine, which is offered as part of intent for marriage to a woman’s parents, drunk at social gatherings like weddings and in small local pubs in the villages.

Uganda Uganda is the second country with the highest number of drinkers who are said to drink up to 11.93 liters of alcohol per person per year. Ugandans are known for their domestically produced ‘Waragi’- a name coined from the word War Gin and was commonly drunk by locals to get the courage to face the enemy at the battlefields. Waragi contains around 42% of alcohol.

At one point, Kenyans living near the Ugandan border, Malaba, had to drink beer in Uganda to escape local laws barring pubs and bars from operating until 5 pm.

Traditional fermented drinks are made from bananas, millet, and other ingredients. These drinks can be packaged or drunk from communal pots using long straws.

Kenya Being a Kenyan, I know and have witnessed how heavy some local people can drink. So big was the problem that the government introduced the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act. The new law sought to keep bars opened within a regulated time.

Random traffic police checks where motorists are required to blow into an alcoblow breathalyzer are used to reduce road carnages due to reckless driving.

Women in Kenya also drink alcohol, and sometimes as much as the men unlike in Nigeria where it is common

Namibia Namibia’s Windhoek Lager is not only a local brand but a renowned one in the region. The beer carries the most weight, 67 percent of the total alcohol consumption in the country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks the country fifth on the African continent with a Namibian consuming an average of 9.62 liters of alcohol per year.

Being a warm country, most of the beer drunk here is mainly lager.

During winter, though, locals appreciate ‘Urbock’- a local beer.

It is good to note that Namibia does not have a rich tradition of wine making compared to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya where local alcohol can be made using sorghum, bananas, and honey, among other locally available resources.

According to the WHO, by 2012, about 3.3 million people in the globe succumbed to deaths related to alcohol consumption. According to the global health agency, one out of twenty deaths in the world is as a result of alcohol, which comes to 7.6% for men, 4.0% for women. Although no particular disease stands out, the highest numbers of deaths are from cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis, and cancers.

With that, now you know overindulging in alcohol is an unhealthy behavior for your health and social wellbeing.

Image credit: AFKI

https://www.africanexponent.com/

By Kajuju Murori.

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How inspiration of Brandon Mkhululi Muchenje creates jaw-dropping pieces Afrikan

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Muchenje, a Zimbabwean, is currently a final year Bachelor of Commerce in Law student at Monash University in South Africa. From 2016, the quest for him to reach higher heights in the art world has been burning in him. He nurtured this yearning through selftutoring. He revealed to TheAfricanDream.net that he is “currently moving towards customizing clothes with art,” a new skill he is teaching himself to also master.

In finding out what inspires the various arts he comes out with, Muchenje explained that they “stem from emotions.” According to his art philosophy, it is an outlet that helps him think and evaluate situations. Through this, he’s able to deal with anything that comes his way internally.

Read also: Hyper-realistic Ghanaian pencil artist Polypencil draws timeless images

“My art is moved by emotion and artsy things, be it photography, videos or writing. In addition, people inspire me, which is what my art is based on (human nature and sometimes just nature on its own)” he further emphasized.

Teaching yourself fine art, studying at the university, living as an immigrant and designing clothing ideas sounds a lot, but Muchenje paddles his canoe very well.

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"The agenda of awaking Africa up has never stopped and has thus, become a mantra. This is why the need for another ‘Africa Rise Concert’ has become imperative because the musical revolution is eternal."

Brandon (right) pictured next to one of his pieces His journey started with the first major painting he did from a picture in a magazine. The young artist tells TheAfricanDream.net reporters that “When I look back I’m taken by the fact that it is possible to develop your talent as long as you are very determined, no matter what seems to be lacking.” This he says is a result of the resolve he reached to continually motivate himself and learn on his own and from others he admires.

AJ Nelson excites fans with a sequel to his Africa Rise Concert November 2019

So, how does he do all of it you ask? “Life is tough, but the human spirit to succeed is tougher, especially when the effort made is genuine and honest,” said the young Zimbabwean.

“It is surviving such tough times that make creatives like myself get jaws dropped and eyebrows raising or heads bobbing when respective audiences see some of our finished work or products” — Brandon Mkhululi Muchenje.

And he will tell you that everything is summarized in determination and love for what you do. “Art is painful.

It takes time, but if you remain determined because you love what you do, you will complete it. Inspiration takes time, hence I only draw when I am in the mood so that I can produce my best work” he shared with theafricandream.net Founder Oral Ofori.

Maybe Muchenje will give you more reasons to take social media seriously because that is where he gets some of his artistic inspirations from. He is an ardent Instagram user who holds the account names ‘brandon_much’ and ‘darestreetfashion’. Interestingly and unsurprisingly too he shares a deep love for photography.

Written by Christopher Sam and Swanzy Baffoe

And with these words, Ghanaian singer-rapper AJ Nelson informed TheAfricanDream.net Ghana-based reporter Lim Joe Akaba about the second edition of his Africa Rise Concert the first of which was held this past April at the Zen Garden inside Labone at Accra in Ghana. He explained: "I was very moved by the support from fans and fellow artists during the first one and the energy was so on point my team and I felt it was important to do a sequel."

The son of Africa, AJ Nelson, has been preaching the need for a positive awakening for Africa through her youth’s seizing the moment this century offers to uplift the continent. "Anytime I grab the mic and drop beats I feel a strong responsibility to enlightenment my listener and the earth through my lyrics. We can not continue to play the victim and wallow in the past, we must take the bull by the horns — our children look up to us."

Read also: AJ Nelson joined by Okyeame Kwame and others to celebrate Africa Rise album concert

The concert this time will be happening at the Republic Bar & Grill inside Osu with AJ Nelson’s The Africa Band on November 27, 2019. It will be the artist’s last show of 2019 as he rounds up the year in preparation for an equally exciting 2020.

From Asa Baako concert which happened earlier in the year in March to the first episode of the Africa Rise Concert through Rock on the Beach earlier in September and Osagyefo Night which celebrates Ghana’s first Present Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to music and the creative arts in Ghana — AJ Nelson continues wow crowds this year at thrilling concerts.

Entry to the Africa Rise concert at the Republic Bar is free. Come and get enlightened about the truth of the continent and jam to great music from the AJ Nelson and The Africa Band.

Explore the Afrocentric energy of AJ Nelson on social media where you can find him on Twitter as @AJNelsonMusik.

Written by Oral Ofori

4A f r i k a n

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Which Countries Have The Highest Atheist Population Having no religious affiliation is growing across the world and now Atheism, nonbelievers in God, has become third largest global group after Christianity and Islam. The Countries with the highest population of organic atheism include most of the nations of Europe, Japan, China, Australia while most nations in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, atheism is barely discernible. Healthiest and wealthiest Countries with highest individual and social security, plentiful food distribution, excellent public healthcare, strong gender equality and widely accessible housing have largest population of atheist while poorest nations with highest birth and youth illiteracy rates are most religious and completely lacking non-believers in God.

November 2019

Top 10 Countries With Largest Christian Population

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It is quite difficult to determine exact number of population that doesn’t believe in God due to several factors such as low response rate in survey and reluctance to admit that they do believe in God. Countries with strong democracy and freedom of religion, allow people to openly admit their believes without worrying its consequences, so of course those numbers are likely to be higher. China has the highest amount of atheists living in a single country with nearly 100 million people having no religious affiliation .

Below is the list of top ten countries with the highest atheist population, based on surveys done in 2004 by zuckerman phil.

Which Country Has The Highest Muslim Population

Afrikan

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Why the Bat flies at Night

By Traditional

Once upon a time, in the distant past, there was a great war between the animals who live in the sky and those that live on the ground. Nobody now remembers how the war started or what it was about, but it was a terrible time. Many animals on both sides were wounded or killed, and eventually somebody said that if they carried on like this, there would be no animals left on the earth. So some of the sky animals and some of the ground animals had a meeting, and as nobody could recall what they were fighting each other for, it was agreed that a truce should be called, and peace declared.

For the sky dwellers, the heron was appointed to make the announcements, and for the ground animals, the hare would do this job, as he was able to get around the area very quickly. This was done the next morning, but as all animals settled down, realising they could now live in peace and rebuild their lives, some body found the body of Mr Bat. He was the last victim of the war, and must have been killed late the previous day. All the flying animals were very upset, and the decided to organise a big burial for their friend. But as they were preparing his body for the funeral, one of the birds noticed that Mr Bat had teeth in his mouth.

African Fairy Tales Why Spider Has A Bald Head

By Traditional

Mr Spider, who is popularly known as Ananse, is renowned to be a man of tricks.

Have you ever asked yourself why he is bald?

This is the story of how this came about.

One afternoon, after Mr spider had enjoyed his lunch, he sat down in his yard to relax. His lunch had been particularly nice, so soon enough he snoozed off into a slumber, and sat there snoring: nrrrroorrroogh! nrrrroorrrroogh! nrrroorrrooogh!

excuse him and went into the kitchen, where he found a large pot of beans on the fire. Mr Spider removed his hat, and dished a large quantity of the beans into the hat, which he then put back on his head, even though the hot beans made him squint.

When he came back to his seat, he and his friend Mr Dog were offered food. Mr Dog ate all the food given him, but Mr Spider refused to eat. He explained: “I can never eat, since I am so bereaved because my great father-in-law is no longer alive.” Mr Spider insisted that he would not touch any of the food. The people tried and tried and tried several times over to convince him, but all their efforts came to nothing and he steadfastly refused.

November 2019

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The hunter and the lion

By Frans Timmermans

Once upon a time there was a chief in a village near the bush.

This man had many sons, and one of them was the best hunter in the whole land. Whenever he went out hunting, he always managed to bring back much more meat than any of the other hunters in the village. But this hunter did not just like to provide meat for the villagers, he enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, stalking his prey and outsmarting it, and killing animals for fun.

The chief often reprimanded his son, because he knew that the spirits of the forest and the ancestors did not approve of killing for fun or sport. But all his exhortations fell on deaf ears. His son’s behaviour never changed.

As for the animals, they were both afraid of and angry with this hunter, and they called a meeting of all the bush animals to discuss if there was not some way to could stop this man. Some suggested setting traps to catch him, but everybody agreed that this hunter was too clever to fall into a trap, he would surely spot it from afar. Then the lion suggested that one of them After some few hours Mr Spider said to the should change into the shape of a young woman, in order to people that he would have to leave, as there seduce the hunter. Then he could be lured into the bush and was another ceremony going on in the killed. It was decided that the lion’s wife should be the one to house of his own father where he also had do this job.

Suddenly there was the sound of someone knocking on the door, and this woke him up.

Mr Spider opened the door, and there he saw Nana Petra. Spider said: “Eeh, Nana Petra, you are welcome! It’s a long time since you called to see me.” He took his visitor inside the house, and offered him everything he needed as a visitor. Mr Spider asked Nana to attend. The people once again tried to Petra: “My brother, may I know your intention persuade him to eat something before of coming here at this crucial hour?” departing, but again he steadfastly refused.

The next morning, the chief’s son was getting ready to set out for the bush, he was gathering his weapons, his spear, his bow and arrows, and a machete, when his father approached him.

“Son”, said the chief, “Please stay home today. I had a dream While Mr Spider had been talking to the last night that you went into the bush and got killed by a wild people, he had been nodding his head. He didn’t want to nod his head, but he couldn’t lion! Stay home today, please!”

Nana Petra paused for some time, then spoke solemnly: “HmHmHm, it is sad news I bring you, brother spider.” Hearing this Mr Spider was confused and asked: “What is this sad help it, the movement was forced on him news that you bring Nana Petra?” by the heat of the beans inside his hat.

Some of the people noticed that he was Nana Petra continued: “Your majesty, Mr nodding his head rather a lot, and one of Spider, I am very sorry to announce to you the them asked: “Dear Mr Spider, Sir, why are death of my father, Eja Mimou.” Now as Nana you nodding your head so much?” He Petra was Ananse’s brother-in-law, this made answered in a loud voice: “When it’s hot Eja Mimou his father-in-law. When Ananse like this, don’t you all shake your head?” heard the news, he could hardly believe it. So he asked his brother again: “Nana Petra, are After that Mr Spider and his friend Mr Dog you joking or are you serious?” Nana Petra departed from the funeral ground. On their assured him that he was not joking, and even- way home Ananse could not sustain the tually Ananse understood that his dear father- suffering the hot beans were causing to his in-law was no more. poor head. The heat was just getting too too

How was that possible? Flying animals don’t have teeth. They called a meeting, and they agreed that Bat can’t be one of them, as no other bird has teeth in his mouth. So they took bat’s body to the ground animals, and told them that as Mr Bat was not a bird, it was their responsi- Before Nana Petra left again, he told Ananse that the funeral and the rites would be held bility to give him a decent burial. three days later in the residence of his late The ground animals agreed to accept the father-in-law. After Nana Petra left, Ananse went to see his close friend, Mr Dog, and told body, but then, as they were preparing him he would very much like him to accomfor the burial, one of them shouted: “Wait a minute, this bat may have teeth, pany him to the funeral and last rites of his departed father-in-law. Mr Dog agreed. When but he definitely also has wings! How it was time to go to the funeral Mr Spider told can he be one of us if he has wings?” his friend Mr Dog he should carry along his So now the ground animals had a meet- guitar, so they could play some mournful tunes at the funeral ground. They slowly made ing to consider the problem, and they decided that no ground animal can have their way to the house where the funeral was taking place. Mr Spider had dressed himself in wings, so therefore, Mr Bat can’t be some very expensive cloth and put on a large regarded as one of them. So they too, dark hat to show his respect for the deceased. refused to bury Mr Bat.

But the son brushed aside his father’s concerns, “Pah! Pah! Don’t worry, old man, I can take care of myself. Any beast that tries to kill me will get off the worst, I promise you”. And with that he set off, chuckling to himself. He had a good day in the bush, and had already killed as much meat as he could carry, so he decided to call it a day and make his way back home. Then to his surprise he saw a beautiful young girl approach him.

Beautiful young girls do not usually come this far into the bush, so he called out to her: “Sister, what are you doing here in the bush? I can see you are not from our village”. She smiled at him, “I heard about you”, she said, “I heard that there is a hunter who is smarter and stronger than anyone. So I decided to look for you, and here you are!”

“I am just on my way home”, said the hunter, “why don’t you come with me to my village, and we will eat and drink something together”. She agreed, so h took her back to the village and his father’s compound. The chief thought it a bit odd that this young woman had been walking around the bush all by herself, but he was so happy that his son had returned home, and had not been killed by a lion as his dream predicted, that he did not question her at all. The son, in the meantime, was falling head over heels in love with this strange young woman, and before the night was out, he asked her to be his wife. She Another said: “He is not normal! What nor- laughed, and told him that she would be very happy to be his mal person would carry beans inside his hat wife, but she would have to ask her father’s permission first. So and cover his head with it?” they agreed that the next morning, they would set off early and visit her father.

much! He finally had no choice: with a great scream he removed his large black hat and the beans spilled out all over the street.

Some people who had been walking along stopped to gaze at him, and others came out of their houses, attracted by the commotion. One said: “This man, he is a foolish man!”

Then Mr Dog said to his friend: “My dear Spider, whatever happened to your beautiful hair?” Mr Spider touched his head, and noticed that all his hair had disappeared.

The beans had been so hot that they burned Poor Mr Bat, the flying animals refused When the friends arrived everybody was very off all his hair, and from that moment to accept him because he has teeth, and excited, in spite of the fact that there had been onwards Mr Spider and all his offspring the ground animals refused to accept him a bereavement, because Mr Spider was such a went around with a bald head. well known and great personality. They were because he has wings. And that is why very happy to see him there, and he was the bat is still flying around every night. offered one of the best seats in the house.

Found among the papers of John Fumey, Shortly after, Mr Spider asked the people to

So the next morning, after eating some fruit and porridge, they were read to set off. The hunter was gathering his weapons, but the girl asked him to leave them behind, as she explained it would be rude to turn up at her father’s house so heavily armed.

The hunter agreed to this, so they set off walking through the bush. When they had gone some distance from the village, the girl changed herself back into her natural lion shape, and attacked the hunter, who, having no weapons, was unable to defend himself. That evening, while the chief sat outside his hut waiting in vain for his son’s return, the animals celebrated.

Found among the papers of John Fumey

Afrikan

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Meet Elizabeth Amoaa; the 36-year-old Ghanaian with two wombs and two cervixes

because it’s so rare they weren’t looking out for it.”

Elizabeth Amoaa was born with a rare condition: two vaginas, two cervixes and two wombs. She only got to know five years after the birth of her daughter.

Amoaa in 2015 was diagnosed with uterus didelphys.

Uterus didelphys, or “double uterus,” occurs during fetal development, when the two tubes that normally form one uterus instead become two separate structures, according to the Mayo Clinic.

A double uterus may have one cervix that opens into one vagina, or each separate uterine cavity may have an individual cervix and vagina, leaving a woman with two vaginas, according to Health.com.

It’s entirely possible for women with a double uterus to carry a baby to term. However, the condition does come with an increased risk of miscarriage or premature labor per Health Line.

Previously diagnosed with uterine fibroids, doctors told her she was infertile. Amoaa, however, went on to give birth to her daughter Rashley who’s now nine. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus (womb).

Although they are composed of the same smooth muscle fibers as the uterine wall (myometrium), they are much denser than normal myometrium.

Amoaa’s double womb caused excruciating problems throughout her pregnancy – but neither she or her doctors noticed its existence.

“In 2008 when I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, I was told that conceiving was going to be very difficult for me.

“They told me I was actually infertile, so when I fell pregnant it was a huge surprise [and] it was a challenging pregnancy, I was bleeding throughout, fainting and feeling tired,” Amoaa told Metro.

“They actually thought it was ectopic pregnancy as they didn’t know I have a double womb, and nor did I. I would go to have a scan, which I had to do frequently because of my fibroids, and one minute they would see the baby is in the womb, then the next they could not find the baby.

“Sometimes they were scanning the wrong womb, I had 20 scans and no-one pointed out I had a double womb –

At some point, doctors suggested that Amoaa terminate the pregnancy but she kicked against it.

“They’d say ‘We cannot see the baby, maybe the fibroids are hiding the baby’ and persisted in saying I should have a termination, but my belly was growing and I realized “actually it’s a baby” and I was determined to carry it to birth. The day my daughter was born was a miracle because during the pregnancy it didn’t feel real,” she said.

An MRI scan in 2015 eventually revealed Amoaa’s condition. She had two vaginas, two wombs, and two cervixes. “It was kind of a shock; you want answers to your health but that wasn’t what I was expecting.

“It was new, I had never heard of anyone born with a double womb, then in 2016 they did keyhole surgery and found I also had two cervixes and two vaginas,” she said.

The surgery also revealed that Amoaa had stage 5 endometriosis – a painful disorder where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus – on her bladder, Metro reported.

In 2017, Amoaa was pregnant again but suffered a ‘silent miscarriage’– a miscarriage without bleeding four months into the pregnancy. She had to have a medical abortion and evacuation of the womb to remove the fetus.

Amoaa set up ‘Speciallady’ – an organization dedicated to educating women and young girls on gynecological conditions and menstrual hygiene after the miscarriage.

3 Ghanaian optometrists receive one of the highestranked awards in United States November 2019

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Three doctors from Ghana have won highly-prestigious awards in the United States - Two of the three have become the first people from Ghana to win the coveted awards - The research works that earned them the prestige would solve eye problems for millions of people worldwide Three optometrists from Ghana, Dr. Eugene Appenteng Osae, Dr. Afua Oteng Asare and Dr. Heinz Otchere, have won big at the Third World Congress of Optometry (WCO) in Florida, USA. Myjoyonline reports that the awards the three Ghanaian doctors received were part of the William C. Ezell Fellowships, and is one of the highest-ranked awards of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). It is reported that the Ezell Fellowship was named after the person who founded the American Academy of Optometry Foundation, Dr William C. Ezell.

The awards scheme was instituted to recognise and honour individuals who were talented in optometry and engaged in outstanding measures of research work and pursuing careers in education.

As history would have it, Dr Osae and Dr Otchere became the very first Ghanaians to receive their noble, prestigious and highly coveted awards. Dr Heinz Otchere was recognised as an American Academy of Optometry Foundation Robert Mandell Ezell Club Fellow, 2019. On the other hand, Dr Afua Oteng Asare was honoured as the Vision Impact Institute Ezell Fellow for the year 2019. Last but not least, Dr Eugene Appenteng Osae also received the Danne Ventura - Essilor Ezell Fellow. Dr Heinz Otchere graduated from the University of Waterloo and University of Cape Coast whilst Dr Osae is product of KNUST and a former research fellow of the Ocular Surface Group at the University of Cologne, Germany. The only lady among the two men also went to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi after which she went to Harvard University, Boston and the University of

“I always say that Speciallady is my second baby. I want to be the voice of the voiceless Waterloo, Canada. for every woman out there who is going through symptoms like what I went through. The groundbreaking research works that the three brilliant doctors are engaged

“My condition means that I am a high risk of cervical cancer or ovarian cancer, so I decided I wanted to live out my dreams,” said Amoaa who is originally from Ghana, but moved to the UK from France in 2003.

She was in Ghana recently to create awareness of gynecological issues.

in are estimated to solve eye problems of millions of people when they become fully operational.

Of great mention is Dr Otchere's work which is focused on making special contact lenses for an eye condition called dry eyes, that affects about 20 million people around the world. Amazing feats have been attained by Africans. Earlier, Legit.ng reported about Nigerian high commissioner in the UK, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, congratulating Olasubomi Iginla-Aina on her honour as Member of the British Empire.

Olasubomi is a UK based philanthropist and the chief director of Lightup Foundation, an organisation whose focus is on young people and those who are disadvantaged. The organisation also has consultative status with the United Nations.

Source: https://www.legit.ng

'Nigerian Universities Harbour 100 Fake Professors'

Afrikan

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By Kuni Tyessi Abuja — The National Universities Commission (NUC) has uncovered about 100 fake professors in some of the nation's universities.

The NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said in the November edition of the commission's bulletin, obtained yesterday, that the commission had published the details of the fake professors on its website and also sent the names to the various universities for verification.

The bulletin quoted Rasheed as saying this at the 2019 retreat for vice-chancellors by the NUC Strategy Advisory Committee.

He said: "The updated version of those documents will be published by December 2019 and professors in their respective universities uploaded their CV on the website, which was used in the compilation of the directory. About 100 fake professors also uploaded their details but we detected them.

"This measure helped in identifying fake professors in the system. The fight against fake professors is a collective responsibility."

Rasheed also told the vice chancellors of a recent meeting held with the Director General, National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC), Brig-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, where the latter complained that some corps members' degree certificates purportedly obtained from some prestigious universities were questionable.

The NUC boss told the VCs to check the excesses of their affiliated institutions, noting that universities must spearhead the fight against academic corruption, which must be tackled by all stakeholders.

The bulletin stated that the committee published a directory of full professors in the Nigerian university system, statistical digest of the NUS 2017-2018; refinement and modernisation of instruments for accreditation of undergraduates, postgraduate, part-time, affiliate, open and distance learning programmes as well as the state of university education in Nigeria 2017- 2018.

https://allafrica.com/

Nigerian-American teen becomes first black valedictorian in Alvin High School’s 125 years history after earning 6.9 GP November

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A Nigerian teenager, Tobechukwu Phillips, has made history as the first African-American valedictorian in Alvin High School’s 125 years history.

The Nigerian achieved this sterling recognition after placing top of her class, earning a staggering 6.9 cumulative GPA on a 4.0n scale.

Established in 1894, Alvin High School located in the city of Alvin, Texas integrated with African-American students in 1965.

There are currently 86 African-American students in the school out of approximately 2,800 students.

Philips who took only AP courses aside her electives bagged As in every one of them throughout her four years program.

She is also a decorated volleyball and track athlete, as well as, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Rho Kappa Honor Society, president of the National Honor Society and an AP ambassador.

Commenting on her feat, Phillips admitted maintaining the highest GPA in her class was a “difficult task.”

“It truly takes time management but more importantly acknowledging what you do it for. I know that I am no longer just representing myself,” she said.

Phillips’ amazing academic performance would earn her the Full-Ride Forty Acre Scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin. Out of 4,000 students, only 16 were chosen.

“My biggest advice to other scholars of color is to truly adopt the mindset of Rosa Parks — ‘No.’ Do not conform to the stereotypes that have held us under thumbs for so long.

“Do not be discouraged when someone speaks out against you, simply allow what they say to fuel your fire. But more than anything, do not remain tight-lipped. Stand up for what you believe in and take it upon yourself to be the change you’ve always wanted. Say ‘No’ to the ways of the world and stick out,” Philips advised.

“She is an excellent student from a loving family,” track coach Jennipher McGraw said of Phillips, who’ll be attending Nursing School at UT in the fall. She plans to one day own her clinic as a pediatric nurse practitioner. https://face2faceafrica.com/

November 2019

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Divine Word Intl. Ministry and The Faith Community 2nd Annual Faithful Servants Award

Under the auspices of Divine Word international ministries the Second Annual Faithful Servants of America Awards for first responders took place on Oct. 26, 2019 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia .

The theme for the event was ‘Law Enforcement and Citizens Working in Faith Towards Community Gratitude and Safety.‘ The awards were established in 2018 by Bishop Adonteng Boateng of the Divine Word International Ministries and are organized by the faith-based community of Northern Virginia in collaboration with public safety agencies represented by the Fairfax County Communities of Trust Committee.

Public safety organizations recognized this year included the police departments of Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William counties as well as the Virginia State Police and Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office. Awards included Officer of the Year, Deputy of the Year and Trooper of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony Bishop Adonteng, Founder and general overseer Divine word International ministries told the gathering that the ‘Faithful Servants Awards‘ which is organized by the faith-based community of Northern Virginia in collaboration with the respective police forces of the area, is to recognize the great work of the police in the community.

“This is a great way in which the community and the police force can come together through an initiative led by the faith-based community to not only get to know and understand each other better, but to kill the false myth that misinforms people that the police are out to get them,” Bishop Boateng said.

“Our agenda, as embedded in our theme, is to foster an environment within which cops and the community can come together to work towards the overall safety and development of society, irrespective of religious differences. In the process, we want all parties involved to not lose sight of the importance to appreciate each other,” the Bishop explained.

On September 10, 2018, the Bishop became an international Police Chaplain in the United States having completed studies at

CELA University International Police Chaplain Ministry in Miami, Florida. As a result, his passion for community-police relationship development the event was one of many he put together to foster that relationship.

The DWIM leader and founder ordained Bishop in the US in 2012 is originally from Ghana. Follow the church on Facebook by visiting Facebook.com/DivinePrayerLine.

In addition to his full time job of being an ordained minister, Bishop Boateng also serves as a police chaplain in Fairfax County. Originally from Ghana, the Bishop has worked hard since he has been in Virginia to familiarize himself with the community, and get to know people who keep his community safe. Several years ago, he invited some police officers to come speak at his church. His goal was to have the officers talk about safety, and give his congregants an overview of how to remain safe and vigilant.

Boateng was so impressed with the officer’s presentation, as it gave him a much better understanding of the police force and the role it serves its residents. It was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, which has grown and blossomed over the years. He believes it is incumbent on citizens to get to know the officers in their community, as it is important to partner with them in order to keep communities safe.

In the news we often hear about police brutality, and instances where police are biased against minorities. Boateng wants people to know that he does not see it this way in Virginia. He sees police officers that put themselves in danger each and every day, in order to serve and protect everyone in their communities. He wanted to do something to recognize and celebrate the individuals who go above and beyond each and every day.

So, he established the Faithful Servant Awards in 2018.

Officers from Fairfax County, Prince William County and Alexandria City will be recognized at the ceremony, which will be held on October 26th. His dream is to grow this pro-

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gram around the country, so that bridges can be built between communities and those who serve them. He is particularly interested in establishing programs like this in places where the relationships are not strong, like Chicago and Atlanta, as he believes that bringing people together is the best way for them to understand one another.

African Soccer Legend Samuel Eto’o Enrolls At Harvard University After Retirement From The Game NII NTREH

November 2019

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Kenya Builds First SolarPowered System That Makes Ocean Water Drinkable

Kenya has built the world’s first solar-powered system that turns ocean water into potable water.

The system is already being used by over 25,000 people daily, according to reports.

Soccer legend and Cameroon’s all-time top goalscorer, Samuel Eto’o, says he is enrolling at Harvard University in January 2020 to study business management.

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea star is preparing for life after a stellar 22-year career that saw him rated as one of the world’s best players in the last two decades.

Eto’o has opened a number of businesses in his native Cameroon, among which includes, a sports betting company. As such, knowledge of business management should come needed.

He reportedly said: “When you are a footballer, you pay people to take care of yours. But when it is up to you to manage them, and you want to develop them, you need to acquire new skills.

“So I will go back to school to learn business manage-

ment. In January, I will join Harvard University, which has kindly admitted me to specialized training.”

Eto’o played for 11 clubs and amassed 18 trophies including those he won with Cameroon. Overall, he scored 426 goals in 877 matches and retired holding the record for the most goals in the Africa Cup of Nations.

He has a plethora of individual awards that celebrate his sporting achievements as well as his roles as a vocal supporter of efforts to combat racism and child trafficking.

https://face2faceafrica.com/

In a bid to provide safe and drinkable water to its citizenry, it has created a large-scale solar-powered desalination plant in the village of Kiunga on the Eastern coast of Kenya.

A non-governmental organization called Give Power, operating in Kenya since August 2018 has been able to transform the country’s salt water into drinkable one.

In some parts of Africa, drinking water has always been a problem confronting rural inhabitants, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where children are forced to give up their education in order to walk miles every day to fetch water for their families.

To convert the ocean water into drinking water, the NGO has built a Solar Water Farm sited by the Indian Ocean in Kiunga, a region which has seen extreme drought for many years and denying the 3,500 residents access to hygienic drinking water.

With $20 per person, the farm provides 20 years of access to clean water and it is reportedly helping the local economy.

“You have to find a way to pull water out of the ocean in a sustainable way,” the president of GivePower, Hayes Barnard said with the hope to open similar facilities in other areas.

Using its solar panels, the Solar Water Farm harvests solar energy which are able to produce 50 kilowatts of energy and power two water pumps that run 24 hours a day and it turns salty water safely into potable water.

November 2019

Why the Crab has no Head

By Traditional

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A very long time ago, before man came along to upset the natural balance, all animals lived together peacefully. But in those days, none of the animals had heads of their own, except the elephant, who was the King of the animals. He had a large collection of heads in all shapes and sizes, which he kept stored in a large cave. Every time an animal wished to leave the village compound to go out into the field or the bush, he would go to the elephant first and ask to borrow a head. On his return to the animal village the head would be returned to the king’s store. This worked very well for a time. The only problem was that there were not quite enough heads for all the animals. There always seemed to be one short, so at least one of the animals always had to stay behind in the village.

Eventually some of the animals became dissatisfied that every time they wanted to go out, they had to waste time to collect a head and then return it again. The King agreed to have a meeting and it was decided that each animal should be given its own head to keep for all time. The King started making all the arrangements, assisted by his secretary, the crab, and when all was ready and all the heads were lined up in the village square, he sent out the cockerel, who had been given a head for this purpose, to announce that all animals should come to the square so that the King could give them a head.

The cockerel went round the whole of the village and every body who heard the message rushed to the square. When he thought e had informed every body, and was just making his way back to the square, the cockerel spotted the crab, without his head, meandering down a track on his way to the river bank. The cockerel advised him to make his way back to the square quickly, but crab just shrugged. “I am the secretary of the King”, he said, “the King will keep a head for me, I am sure of it. I need to have a quick bath. I will see you bye and bye”. And he sauntered on his way.

At the village square where all the other animals had gathered, the elephant started giving out heads. He tried to make sure that each animal received a head that suited it. So the hippopotamus got a very large, fat head; the rhinocerus got a head with fierce looking eyes; the giraffe got a long head to go with his long neck. Nobody liked the hyena very much, so he got the ugliest head there was, but the antelope, who all thought was the most graceful of the animals, got the most beautiful head. This went on all morning until all the animals had their own head. Just as the King thanked the cockerel for his work, and was about to return to his palace, the crab came sauntering back. “Where have you been hiding out”, asked the King. “I’m afraid all the heads have been given out, and there is not a single one left for you!”

However much the crab protested, there was nothing to be done, and that is the reason why to this day the crab goes through life without a head.

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Cameron Duodu: From A Pupil Teacher To The Most Sought-After Ghanaian Journalist Across The Globe

Afrikan

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November 2019

Mugabe Left $10m, 10 Cars And Several Properties But No Will Mugabe Left $10m, 10 Cars And Several Properties But No Will

Cameron Duodu via myjoyonline.com It’s fair to say veteran journalist and PanAfrican, Cameron Duodu, ranks high as one of Ghana’s best exports.

Here is a man who like Nkrumah emerged from a modest home. So modest in fact that neither his parents nor extended relatives could fund his formal secondary and university education. Yet what Duodu lacked through no fault of his in monetary value, he more than made up for with his brilliance.

The young fella was so ferocious in his reading that he read every material in his path having picked the habit from his elder brother. That passion and channeling was to serve him well as he through constant private reading successfully passed the GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level examinations in 15 months while others used five years.

For one with no prior training in broadcasting, Duodu excelled as broadcaster at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and soon enough was ably writing for major international newspapers such as The Economist of London, The Observer, The Financial Times, The Sunday Times, United Press International and Reuters as a correspondent.

Buoyed up by the success of passing his exam, despite the constraint, he applied for a job as a reporter with the New Nation, a magazine published in Accra.

From there, he moved to Radio Ghana.

Within a year of joining the state broadcaster as a reporter, he had risen to become a subeditor and subsequently, a news editor. He was also the editor of the Ghana edition of the famous pan-African magazine, Drum.

At 30, he published a novel, The Gab Boys (Andre Deutsch, London; Fontana London; Horst Erdmann, Tubingen, Germany) in 1967 with underlays of retaining the African identity in the face of colonial agents holding sway.

He writes a column for the New African magazine; “Under the Neem Tree” (London), City Press (Johannesburg) and the Ghanaian Times (Accra). He appears frequently on BBC World and BBC World Service radio news programmes discussing African politics, economy and culture.

Few Ghanaian journalists have had the expansive experience Duodu has. It is his flair for writing and his insights on many historical events which has stood him in good stead. Duodu has been involved with journalism from the ‘50s and at 81, still has enough gas in the tank to last him a few moons.

The father of six born on May 24, 1937 at Asiakwa in Ghana’s Eastern region serving as novelist, journalist, editor and broadcaster, is based in Britain.

Duodu has scaled to the mountain top from his early days as a pupil teacher. The elders say when one climbs a good tree, he deserves a push. It’s only prudent we celebrate this brilliant writer whose love for Africa has not diminished even if his abode is now in a temperate zone.

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owned.

Returning to the country after a stint in Europe, Mr. Duodu was appointed Editor of the state-owned Daily Graphic in February 1970, but had to leave the job only after eight months over disagreements with the Busia government.

In 1983, he returned to London and began writing for various overseas newspapers. As a freelance journalist, he’s worked for The Guardian, the Observer, the BBC, the Economist, and De Volkskrant, Amsterdam.

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After ruling the Southern African country for 37 years, Mugabe resigned on November 21, 2017.

Mugabe. Picture: VoA

Former Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe has left behind $10 million and some properties, but without a will for onward distribution.

The development provoked the High Court to call for an edict meeting this week to appoint an executor, the state-owned The Herald reported.

Mugabe died on September 6, 2019 in Singapore where he was receiving treatment for prostate cancer he had been battling for almost 13 years. He was 95.

Mugabe’s daughter Bona Nyepudzani MutsahuniChikore, according to the Herald wrote to the High Court on October 21 to register the father’s estate. It listed assets including $10 million in a local bank, four houses, 10 cars, one farm, a rural home, and an orchard.

Mugabe’s widow, Grace was listed as the sole surviving spouse while Bona, Robert, Bellarmine and Russel Goreraza were listed as the surviving children.

According to The Herald, Terrence Hussein of Hussein Ranchod & Company, the Mugabe family lawyer wrote to the High Court asking to register the death of Mugabe.

Hussein told the Court that no will had been found and correspondence had already been circulated to other law firms to establish if the former president had not left a will.

“Kindly register the estate. Thus far, we have not been able to locate a will, but have sent out inquiries to other law firms, although the family members are not aware of any.

“In this regard, perhaps the estate may be treated as intestate for now,” reads the letter.

As a result, the High court extended invitations to the Mugabe family members to an edict meeting Thursday to discuss the appointment of an executor.

Mugabe was rumored to be worth more than $1 billion in assets in Zimbabwe and overseas per a diplomatic cable from the US Embassy in Harare.

There was also a legal dispute in 2014 over $5 million villa in Hong Kong which the government said it

The Zimbabwe National Army instigated an overthrow of Mugabe’s regime by placing him under house arrest for the crimes committed by individuals in his circle.

He was given the ultimatum to either resign by November 20, 2017, or face impeachment. He subsequently chose the former. His retirement sparked nationwide jubilations as Zimbabweans celebrated the dawn of a new era. Mugabe’s vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who he fired on November 6, was sworn in as the new president.

Born in 1924 to a poor family in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Robert Mugabe or “Uncle Bob”, as many Africans like to call him, started as a schoolteacher following successful completion of an undergraduate degree at the University of Fort Hare. He taught in several schools in the country and Ghana.

In the early 1960s, Mugabe got fed up with the white minority rule in Zimbabwe and so he embraced Marxist ideologies to push for an independent black-led state.

For 10 years, starting from 1964 to 1974, Mugabe was detained for making anticolonial statements.

Upon his release, the schoolteacher turned freedom fighter fled to neighboring Mozambique where he established a political party, Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), which led the Rhodesian Bush War in the late 1970s, fighting the British forces.

With Mugabe as its president, ZANU was later transformed into ZANU-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and spearheaded negotiations with the British administration for the independence of Zimbabwe. The negotiations led to the Lancaster House Agreement, which put an end to white minority rule in Zimbabwe in 1980.

A general election was held in April 1980, in which Mugabe’s ZANU-PF emerged victorious. As the head of the party, Mugabe automatically became the Prime Minister of the newly renamed Zimbabwe.

Ruhama Child Foundation Supports 100 Vulnerable Children in Bodomase-Ghana November 2019

A nongovernmental organization (NGO) the Ruhama Child Foundation (RCF) has paid 100GHC each to 100 children who are vulnerable at Bodomase in the Sekyere Kumawu district of the Ashanti Region.

The theme for the event was “Blessed is the one who considers the poor” The foundation paid 15,000 Ghc ($3,000) to enable the children who are brilliant but needy in the community to continue their education.

The amount was made possible through the contributions of Joseph Boateng (Bro. Seth) a Ghanaian based in the USA and his family in honor of their late mother due to her generosity in the Bodomase community.

According to him the foundation was established to provide the needed financial support necessary to care for the vulnerable in the community.

He called on all individual donors, businesses and corporations and institutions that provided the financial support bearing in mind that the emotional stress every child and every family goes through are different .

According to Mr. Joseph Boateng “We want to see and get to know the needy children and their families so that we can best support the mission of the Ruhama foundation to assist them while they go through the trials of fighting poverty “ .

On behalf of the beneficiaries he extended his profound appreciation to the donors for supporting such a laudable gesture to alleviate the challenges facing the children in the community. Other speakers at the ceremony were Mr. Kinsley Tuffour, unit committee chairman of Bodomase,

Kofi Asante the representative of the traditional council and Mr. Nkrumah the assembly man for Sawmill electoral area of Bodomase.

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DECISIONS, DECISIONS DECISIONS“Should I Buy or Continue to Rent”

November 2019

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Nigerian Ukonwa Ojo becomes MAC Cosmetics Senior Vice President for Global Marketing

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fact that the principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank, in the form of equity.

Other Advantages of Homeownship Theodora Aidoo • Owning your home gives you an individualized approach concerning landscaping, decorating, and curb appeal, which in the process can add value to the home. You do what you please when you please to your home which renting does not provide.

• If you have children, they will find stability in knowing that they aren't going to have to change schools, which can be traumatic for younger children. They won't have to make new friends, and a sense of place becomes very real to them.

Disadvantages of Renting • When you rent, you do not have the flexibility to make aesthetic or cosmetic changes to the place as you please. You may be able to paint a room, but need to repaint back to the original color scheme when you move.

• You cannot make major structural Ukonwa Ojo, MAC's new SVP for global marketing. Pic Credit: MAC changes or ground changes such as adding flower beds or even rock gardens and waterfalls to reflect your taste.

Many women of colour are shifting paradigms and leading multi-million-dol• You put up with an obstinate landlord lar companies/ventures and changing the narrative about black folks and that refuses to repair things in the apartment, or Ukonwa Ojo, a passionate marketer and business leader, is not an exception. just "doesn't have time." This can build frustraMost people are torn with this imminent This week, beauty brand MAC Cosmetics announced Coty’s Ojo – a Nigerian decision to either buy a house or to continue tion and stress.

– as its senior vice president for global marketing, a newly created role at the • You help the Landlord build equity on the pilgrim of renting from someone. When company. their property and gain tax write off while you you rent from someone, it means you are throwing your money away—more as if you are left with nothing at the end of your lease Ojo who left the company in January as chief marketing officer will now term resume into the newly-created role of senior vice-president for global marketare in constant chain of helping someone I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has ing effective from December 2. increase their wealth. Ask yourself then; provided helpful information in making your what do you gain for helping someone Ojo reportedly played the most significant role in the brand’s 60-year history increase their wealth? Nothing! You are los- decision to home ownership a smooth one. that led to the Covergirl brand exceptional facelift and also introduced ‘I Am For more information about your real estate ing out-period.

What I Make Up’, a tagline which highlights her idea of a company with It is a known fact that the best single invest- needs (buying, selling, leasing/renting a house) strong diversity and inclusion. call me at 571-229-6694 or email borderlessment one can make is owning your own She isn’t just an ordinary woman. She is a graduate of UNC Kenan Flagler home. Homeownership promotes a sense of realestate@gmail.com and I will help you get Business School. She also holds an MBA in finance, marketing and internastarted.

Thank you. achievement, positive self esteem and pride. tional business from the Kellogg School of Management. She was named as It creates a sense of accomplishment and World Federation of Advertisers’ Global Marketer of the Year, and WWD’s freedom! Let’s read down and dig deeper as Brand Builder of the Year.

Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® to why owning a home is vital.

Samson Properties She has also been named on Business Insider’s list of 25 Most Innovative The Biggest Benefit of Homeownership Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and CMOs, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 and the Financial Times Top 100 List of Homeownership makes good sense because Minority Executives for three consecutive years.

Maryland there are tax privileges when tax time rolls Licensed Life and Health Insurance around: CONTACT 571-229-6694 • You get the benefit of deducting the Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com interest paid on the mortgage throughout the Website: borderlessrealestate.com year. https://face2faceafrica.com/ • You deduct any points paid, either discount or origination fees paid on loan.

• You can deduct a room in your home if it is solely dedicated for home business use.

• The biggest advantage, though, is the

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President Kagame Launches Smartphone Factory In Rwanda

November 2019

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Nigeria: Buhari Unveils Made in Nigeria Armoured Vehicles

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Mr Buhari described the Nigerian Army Conference as an avenue for strategic leaders and operational commanders to appraise, assess and evaluate the Army's activities for the year 2019 as well as make projections for improved engagements in 2020 and beyond.

"This kind of self-assessment is being sustained because it is critical for the professional development of the Nigerian Army. One of the cardinal pillars of our government is the provision of security," he stressed.

President Paul Kagame (center) during the launch of the Mara Phones Plant in Kigali on Monday, October 7. Photo: Paul Kagame. Source: Facebook The plant currently employs 90% of Rwandans - The introduction of Mara Phones would put smartphone ownership within the reach of more Rwandans in a country where internet coverage stands at 52.1% up from 7% in 2011 - Rwandan president Paul Kagame said the factory is part of the broader “Made in Rwanda Initiative�, which his country has embarked on Rwandan president Paul Kagame has launched a smartphone manufacturing plant, the first of its kind in the African continent. Kagame launched the factory (Mara Phones Production Plant) on Monday, October 7, at the Kigali special economic zone in Gasabo district.

The introduction of Mara Phones would put smartphone ownership within the reach of more Rwandans in a country where internet coverage stands at 52.1% up from 7% in 2011.

According to Rwanda’s ministry of information and technology, the number of phone owners grew from 33% in 2010 to the current 80.6%.

"The smartphone is no longer a luxury item. It is rapidly becoming a requirement of everyday life. That trend is bound to increase in the years to come, as more and more services migrate to digital platforms," Kagame said.

The plant has so far employed 200 people with 90% of them being Rwandans.

At full capacity it is expected to have a workforce of 650 people.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday unveiled locally produced mine resistant ambush protected vehicles named Ezugwu and other armoured vehicles designed to carry out insertion and extraction of troops, assault, counter-terrorism, delivery of high fire power and urban warfare.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the vehicles were unveiled during the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, holding in Kaduna.

Other primary and secondary armaments unveiled at the event included anti-aircraft guns that also carry a crew of twelve commanders, driver, two gunners and eight soldiers.

"These armoured vehicles that were produced by DICON are testimonies that government's effort is yielding positive results.

"It is encouraging to note that, the Nigerian Army as a critical element of National power is involved in innovative and inventive ventures to become an Army to be proud of in the future by all Nigerians.

"There is no doubt that a lot has been achieved by the Army since my assumption into office.

"Our administration has continued to provide resources for the execution of transformational projects with the aim of modernizing the Army to be better positioned to perform its constitutional roles," the president said.

Mr Buhari noted the collaborative efforts of the command engineering Depot with relevant indigenous organizations to promote local content towards developing Nigeria's Military Industrial Complex.

"In this regard, it is pertinent to acknowledge the establishment of the Army University, Biu, the Army Resource Centre in the Army War College to further boost intellectual capacities in the forces," he said.

The president appreciated men and officers of Nigerian Army for their relentless effort in securing the country, noting that "many personnel have lost their lives, some have sustained injuries and a significant number have been away from their families for a long time."

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, in a goodwill message, said Kaduna State was privileged to play host to many military formations which brings various benefits to the state.

"We are proud of the leadership of the Nigerian Army. Here in Kaduna, we cannot forget the role the Nigerian Army plays in encouraging peace and security across the state in the last four years."

He said the army had helped to restore peace and stability in the Southern Kaduna by establishing an operational base.

"We appreciate the initiative, innovative and investments undertaken by the army which by extension benefit our people."

Mr El-Rufai disclosed that the assembling of automotive vehicles for the use of the army had begun in Kaduna, in addition to the Peugeot Automobile Assembly Plant.

"DICON is also starting garment for the armed forces and para military agencies.

"We are establishing a cluster garmenting that will produce not only military and para military uniforms, but also civilian clothing for domestic and export.

"We are going to take advantage of that and we are very grateful to the army for being that catalyst for development," Mr El-Rufai said.

(NAN)

The president further lauded the Nigerian Army for the establishment of Army Cyber Warfare Command, Fifty Space Command and the Land Forces Segregation Centre.

He said they were laudable efforts aimed at repositioning the Army to address emerging and future threats to National security.

https://allafrica.com/

Sir Sam Jonah Recognized for his Contribution to Mining Industry in Africa

Afrikan

November 2019

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The United States National Academy of Engineering, having elected Sir Sam Jonah as a foreign member early this year officially inducted him as a member of the National Academy of Engineering during their annual meeting in Washington DC. on Sunday, November 6, 2019

Sir. Samuel Jonah’s induction into the Academy is in honor of his distinguished leadership and technical contributions in advancing the mineral industry in Africa.

Sir. Sam Esson Jonah one of Africa’s leading businessmen is currently the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital (Pty) Limited, an investment holding company in South Africa, and the former President of AngloGold Ashanti Limited. Born and raised at Obuasi he had his high-school education at Adisadel College in Cape Coast, Ghana, then earned an Associateship in Mining Engineering at the Camborne School of Mines, Cornwall, England, and subsequently a MSc in Mine Management at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London., following which he worked in various capacities at the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation, including underground operations. At the age of 36 he became the Chief Executive Officer and supervised the transformation of Ashanti Goldfields into a mining multinational.

An Honorary Knighthood was conferred on him by Her Majesty the Queen in 2003 and in 2006 he was awarded Ghana’s highest national award, the Companion of the Order of the Star of the Volta. Mr. Jonah serves on the boards of various public and private companies, including Vodafone Group Plc and a member of the Global Advisory Council of the Bank of America. Formerly a Director of the Standard Bank Group, Lonmin and AngloAmerican Group (South Africa).

His wife Lady Giselle Jonah and daughter Tamara Jonah, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, the Paramount Chief of Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area, (Assin Kushea) of the Central Region of Ghana, the queen mother of Assin Kushea and other notable personalities from the Ghanaian Community including Nana Adu Gyamfi Kumanin, Sompahene of Asante Nsuta, Dr. Georgina Owusu Asiedu joined Sir Sam Jonah to receive the special recognition.

Other honorees were Cato Thomas Laurencin who received The Simon Ramo Founders Award for his research contribu-

tions and leadership in engineering. The Arthur M. Bueche Award was given to Roderic Ivan Pettigrew for his contributions to technology research, policy, and national and international cooperation.

At the 2019 annual meeting members reflected on the inspiring trajectory of ingenuity, achievements, and lessons, starting from the Apollo mission—why it still resonates and remains relevant and meaningful for current exploration and discovery. In addition to reviewing technical accomplishments and social implications, the speakers deliberated the nature of modern global cooperation and competition as well as implications for future exploration, workforce development, and public engagement.

The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The mission of the National Academy of Engineering is to advance the well-being of the nation by promoting a vibrant engineering profession and by marshaling the expertise and insights of eminent engineers to provide independent advice to the federal government on matters involving engineering and technology.

NAE President John Anderson presided over the various sessions which were held at the National Academy of Sciences Building at 2101 Constitution Avenue NW. Washington DC George Kwasi Bright

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Afrikan

November 2019

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This Nigerian Sculptor Is Producing Human Body Parts For Persons With Disabilities

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tomers can pay as low as $689 for artificial legs or arms and a sum of $96 for other minor body parts.

Even though his products have been medically approved for persons who are in need of body part replacements, Amanam still believes that his innovations are subject to improvement. “I have been to many hospitals and the product has been highly accepted because the materials used in producing it is also medically approved,” he said.

Just as many innovators get inspiration from experiences around them, Amanam drew his from an amputee cousin.

“I have a cousin who happens to be my major inspiration. He lost his fingers and I was just thinking of ways to help him as a sculptor.

I have molded human beings severally in the course of my career.

Why can’t I mold something that can actually be implanted in a human body? I began my research and by God’s grace, I discovered this.”

Despite the joy of creating replicas of human parts to help those who need it, Amanam admits that the process of coming up with the prosthesis hasn’t been easy. He faced quite a number of challenges before he could make any headway.

Nigerian Artist, John Amanam produces realistic human body parts - Pic Credit: Facebook For many of us, having a disability is something we rarely think about until someone close to us develops one.

Persons with Disability (PWDs) have suffered discrimination in different forms, from homes to work places.

Since 1992, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been annually observed on 3 December around the world, but the stigma meted on PWDs remain obvious even today.

However, young and daring Africans are helping to empower PWDs for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through their inventions.

John Amanam is a Nigerian artist who is giving hope to people who have lost parts of their bodies to all kinds of accidents just like the two students from Walter Sisulu University. Amanam is an innovative sculptor who creates hypa-realistic prosthesis for people who have lost their

body parts.

Amanam, a graduate of Fine and Industrial Art from the University of Uyo, is solving disability problems with his craft known as “Immortal Cosmetic Art”.

Amanam, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is reportedly the first Nigerian to produce hypa-realistic prosthesis. He could duplicate any lost body part from legs, nose, toes, ears, arms and fingers matching skin colours to suit the user.

Amanam is so passionate about using art to solve human problems. “Art has been my passion. I am always not satisfied; I am always trying to discover things that other people have not done to solve human problems”.

According to him, the many great pieces he’s created was birthed from the researches he carried out.

It is estimated that prosthetic limbs for instance cost between $10,000 and $100,000. However, Amanam’s cus-

According to Amanam, he has had to invest a lot of time and money, noting that the materials he uses for the production are imported. “I would say it was not easy. I remember I wasted a lot of my personal money while researching for many months. I failed and failed till I was completely broke. I didn’t give up; I had to borrow money from someone to continue the research. I was too convinced that I could do this.

“I ordered for machines that did not get delivered at the stipulated time. When they finally arrived, I could not use them because they were highly sensitive machines. Some even spoilt. Sometimes I had to go back to the company and ask for direction on how to use them.

Thank God that all the efforts I put into this has yielded fruits now,” he revealed.

Today the young inventor is giving back confidence to a number of amputees whose hopes, he said, were restored by his invention.

Amanam plans to open a factory in his state of origin so he could produce the prosthesis in large quantity and even export to countries around the world. https://face2faceafrica.com/

Elite Ladies Club USA Inaugurated In Virginia

Afrikan

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On Saturday October 19, 2019, Elite Ladies Club USA was inaugurated with a fundraising dinner dance at the A and C banquet Hall in Woodbridge Virginia.

Elite Ladies Club USA is a nonprofit voluntary organization of highly skilled, selfless, dedicated, and self-motivated young ladies committed to promoting opportunities to support and connect women in the community and other endeavors through mentoring, networking, developing and recognizing excellence.

The group has over the years been engaged in community development and support initiatives.

They have donated clothing to some homeless shelters in the past and embarked on outreach programs at assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania USA. As part of their inauguration event the group raised funds for the Nwamasi Community Clinic in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to support them with hospital beds and other lifesaving medical equipment’s.

The core values of the group is to support women and share in their communities both in Ghana and the United States by building a strong network of women in North America and Ghana.

Their initiatives have been successful in strengthening the community through donations and community service.

They also play a role in mentoring women into leadership positions in various organizations and entrepreneurship.

Ms. Patricia Kumah (Lady Smart) has been at the forefront of its leadership in steering the affairs of the Association.

November 2019

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