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United States Commends Ghana on Resolution of Presidential Election Dispute Pg. 11
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D.C. Mayor Gray Proclaims September As African Heritage Month
From the Editor
O u r G r eates t G lor y is n ot in n ever f a llin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll . We ar e co mmittted to b r in gin g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ia s por a. Yo u may a ls o vis it o u r webs ite a t www.a f r ik a n pos t.com f or d a ily n ews u p da tes o n Af r ica . D is cla imer : Th e o p in io n s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews p ap er a r e th os e o f th e a u th o r s an d d o n ot n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Po s t . All commen ts a n d s u g g es tio n s ar e welcome.
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events drawing thousands of diverse attendees. This event stands as testament of the unprecedented growth of the District’s African community, and showcases the burgeoning contributions this community makes to the cultural and economic vitality of the nation’s capital.
“The District of Columbia has one of the most vibrant and diverse African communities in the entire country, with African residents and businesses contributing not only to the cultural identity but also to the economic strength of the city,” said Director Ngozi Nmezi. “I would like to thank Mayor Gray for his unwavering support of the District’s African community.”
George Bright-Abu Publisher and Editor
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D E PA R T M E N T S Vol. 5 Issue 9
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
SLPP/NA Convention and Inaugural Ceremony Ends in Dallas Texas Pg. 26
Ghanaians In Madison Volunteer At A Food Pantry Pg. 23
Maryland & Cross River State, S.E. Nigeria, Sign Sister-State Agreement
Pg. 17
HER PAGE
The Absurdity of You
Pg. 20
SPORTS Michael Essien’s Father Passes Away Pg. 39
UPDATE
United States Breaks Ground On New Embassy in Cotonou, Benin Pg. 15
Mayor Gray and OAA invite District residents to the 4th Annual African Heritage Celebration: A Tribute to Past & Present Leaders in the African Community to be held on September 30 at the Howard Theatre. For the first time last year, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, proclaimed September as “African Heritage Month” in the District of Columbia. In recognition of the unique contributions made by the tens of thousands of Africans residing in the District of Columbia, Mayor Gray declared September as a time for the larger District community to learn about and celebrate its ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse African community.
“The District of Columbia is home to thousands of African businesses, residents, and their families – representing diverse cultural, religious, and political backgrounds and speaking hundreds of languages and dialects. These communities have enriched the cultural and economic fabric of our world-class city,” said Mayor Gray in the proclamation.
The year 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Mayor Gray and OAA will join governments, organizations and communities around the world in celebrating this historic moment for Africans by promoting the official theme of Panafricanism and global African renaissance in the 21st century. At the local level, this theme ties seamlessly into Mayor Gray’s vision of building “One City” in which all residents thrive together. It further echoes the goals of OAA’s Multicultural Awareness and Development program which aims to promote greater connection and solidarity among the District’s ethnically diverse communities of African descent.
For the first time in four years, OAA’s annual DC African Heritage event will be hosted indoors, and will incorporate a new feature: a special tribute to past and present leaders in the African community. An awards program at the celebration will highlight exceptional leaders who have shaped history, and recognize seven exceptional leaders who are presently making unique contributions to Panafricanism and the economic and cultural renaissance of the District’s African community. Among other attractions, the festivities include a reception, high profile special guests and speakers, and a rich variety of performances.
The 4th Annual DC African Heritage Celebration on September 30 will conclude and come at the heels of a month-long celebration of the long legacy of African contributions to the economic vibrancy, character, and cultural identity of this city. For a complete listing of events in the community please visit www.oaa.dc.gov.
In honor of African Heritage Month and the worldwide observance of the 50th Anniversary of the African Union, Mayor Gray and his Office on African Affairs (OAA) invite District residents to the 4th Annual DC African Heritage Celebration: A Tribute to Past & Present Leaders in the African Community. This festive event will be held Source:amipnewsonline.org on Monday, September 30, 2013 at the legendary Howard Theatre (620 T St NW Washington, DC 20001) from 6 pm to 10 pm and will be free and open to the public.
Each year, the Mayor’s Annual DC Africa Celebration unites diverse communities of African descent in the District through art, culture, food, history, and music. Since its inception in 2010, the DC Africa Celebration has fast become one of the District’s most anticipated cultural
September 2013
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Afrikan Post
September 2013
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Salute To Diaspora Awards Presentation
Afrikan Post
September 2013
Rita Marley Granted Dual Citizenship
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Rita Marley, wife of late Reggae superstar Bob Marley has been granted a dual citizenship by the government of Ghana in connection with the Pan-African Festival (PANAFEST) Foundation.
Her dual nationality as a Ghanaian and Jamaican is the first of its kind to be granted to a diasporan after several years of struggle.
Tthe Ambassador Erieka Bennett, the founder and head of Mission at the AU Diaspora African Forum hosted an Awards presentation to honor individuals who had made progress in positively impacting the Diasporan community.
Among these honored were Ama K. Abebrese, renowned actress and TV host and Dr. Kofi Amoah, Ghanaian business mogul.
Each of these honorees were presented their awards by the legendary Nana Rita Marley whom was just recently recognized as a Ghanaian citizen when she received her Ghanaian passport at the
AU Awards dinner which was hosted by the DAF mission 2 weeks ago at the La Palm hotel here in Accra. The AU DAF is the first diplomatic mission globally to represent Diaspora Africans. ### Source:amipnewsonline.org
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Rita Marley has since been handed a Ghanaian passport and dual citizenship documents to guarantee her legal stay in the country.
The Chairman of PANAFEST foundation, Mr Kohain Nathanyeh Halevi Rabbi, who disclosed this to The Independent, expressed happiness and called on government to grant more dual citizenship to diasporans who were ready to create more jobs in the country.
According to him, his outfit has fought years to secure dual citizenship documents for diasporans yet, all effort proved futile.
“Many diasporans have struggled to secure dual citizenship but they have not been successful. I believe granting one to our mother Rita Marley is in the right direction but we need more for our people”, he said.
“Since Ghana is a peaceful country with respect for its values and traditions have attracted more investors to established businesses here, therefore granting them nationality would support the nation’s development” he added.
Speaking on this year’s PANAFEST celebrations, Mr Rabbi noted that this was the worst year since their patronage had gone down. He stated that the foundation received fewer resources to undertake its numerous activities.
The PANAFEST Chairman therefore called on government, stakeholders and benevolent organisations to come to their aid to revamp the festival to its old taste.
Story from peacefmonline.com News:
September 2013
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President Obama Appoints Amb.Booth As U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan/S. Sudan
President Barack Obama meets with Ambassador Donald Booth, Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, in the Oval Office, Aug. 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) By Grant T. Harris Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs
Today, President Obama appointed Ambassador Donald Booth as the new U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. A former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Liberia, Ambassador Booth is one of our most experienced diplomats and has extensive experience promoting peace and prosperity across the African continent. He is seasoned, determined, and deeply committed to pursuing peace between and within Sudan and South Sudan.
Ambassador Booth joins our Sudan and South Sudan team at a critical time. Working closely with the African Union and our other international partners, he will play a vital role in urging Sudan and South Sudan to make progress on resolving outstanding issues, including the status of the disputed region of Abyei. He will continue U.S. efforts to press for a peaceful and definitive end to the conflicts in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile as part of a holistic solution to Sudan’s human rights, humanitarian, and governance crises. And he will urge South Sudan to stay focused on protecting its people, meeting their needs, and realizing their aspirations for a more peaceful, prosperous, and democratic future.
As the President told Ambassador Booth today during their meeting in the Oval Office, supporting peace between and within Sudan and South Sudan remains a priority for this Administration. As Ambassador Booth carries forward this important work on behalf of the United States, he does so with the President’s full support.
Statement by the President Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador Donald Booth as the new U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan. Ambassador Booth is one of America’s most experienced diplomats, with broad experience helping promote peace and prevent conflict across Africa, including most recently as our Ambassador to Ethiopia. With his considerable diplomatic talents, deep knowledge of the continent, and unwavering determination, I am confident that Ambassador Booth will advance U.S. interests in pursuing a durable and lasting peace between and within Sudan and South Sudan.
As my envoy, Ambassador Booth will spearhead U.S. efforts to press the parties to implement last year’s September 27 agreements and resolve their outstanding issues, including with respect to borders, the final status of Abyei, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of oil. He will also lead our efforts to bring the conflicts in Blue Nile, Southern Kordofan, and Darfur to a peaceful end, and to promote inclusive governance and full respect for human rights in both states.
Much work remains, but we know that when the governments of Sudan and South Sudan show political courage and put the interests of their people first, peace and progress are possible.
Source:www.amipnewsonline.com
September 2013
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AU Commission Chair DlaminiZuma to Address 2013 Africa Braintrust
AU Commission Chair Nkosazana DlaminiZuma will address the 2013 Africa Braintrust on Friday September 20, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Room 207A. (9:00-5:00pm).
The event being organized jointly by Representative Karen Bass and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2013 Annual Legislative Conference has the theme African Union: 50 Years of Unity and A future of Progress Panel Sessions include the following:
Panel 1: Looking back at 50 years of African Independence (9-11AM) Panel 2: (Keynote) Africa’s Future: Regionalism Stability & Growth (11-1PM) Panel 3: (Lunch) Video Conference with the Continent (1:30-3 PM)
Panel 4: African Diaspora: Untapped Engine (3:30-5PM)
Other Featured and distinguished speakers include
President Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone President Blaise Compaoré, Burkina Faso
To RSVP contact AfricaBraintrust2013@gmail.com
Source:www.amipnewsonline.com
September 2013
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Us Ambassador Swears In New Peace Corps Volunteers
(FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE) — U.S. Ambassador Michael Owen officially sworn in 41 new Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) who will live and work throughout Sierra Leone. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown on August 28 and marked the end of a ten-week training program for the new Volunteers.
English.
The new PCVs surprised guests with votes of thanks in some of Sierra Leone’s local languages. They expressed gratitude to Sierra Leonean families who are hosting them for the next two years.
The U.S. Peace Corps is an independent U.S. government agency, which began with a challenge by then-Senator John F. Kennedy for Americans to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. Since it began in 1961, more than 210,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 139 countries that have requested assistance. The volunteers serve 27-month commitments and work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.
The 41 U.S. citizens will teach English, science, and mathematics to students in junior and senior secondary schools. In academic year 2013-14, Peace Corps will have 79 volunteers teaching IN every rural district in Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Mahmoud Tarawalie; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ebun Jusu; Chief of Staff at State House Richard Conteh; and various stakeholders of the Sierra Leone education sector attended the swearing-in ceremony.
In his remarks, Ambassador Owen talked about the importance of this year’s theme of “Education for Life.” Ambassador Owen commended the Volunteers for seizing chances to make a long-term impact in their students’ lives, and noted the many ways that Volunteers had recently helped students and the communities in which they live. This included starting student and youth clubs, encouraging parents to be involved in their children’s education, and helping schools make the best use of limited resources. He said to the Volunteers, “We know that our expectations of you are high but the long history of Peace Corps in Sierra Leone is an indication that there are endless opportunities for success.” Ambassador Owen thanked the Volunteers for
their service to the United States and Sierra Leone, and he reminded Embassy of the United States of America, Freetown them of the lasting imprint they will have on the lives of so many Sierra Leoneans. Ambassador Owen thanked the Ministry of Education and the gov- Source:sierraexpressmedia.com ernment of Sierra Leone for its unwavering support of Peace Corps. He expressed hope that the partnership between Sierra and the U.S. will grow in the next few years as both the number of Volunteers and the focus of Peace Corps programs increase. Ambassador Owen also expressed gratitude to the host families and communities for their hospitality.
Acting Country Director of Peace Corps Daryn Warner highlighted that last year Peace Corps Volunteers measured a 40 percent improvement in students’ confidence level in math, science, and
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September 2013
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The Judges' Decision...FULL SPEECH As Read By Atuguba By PeaceFMonline
September 2013
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United States Commends Ghana on Resolution of Presidential Election Dispute
Picture Courtesy of Ghana Television
Ghana's Supreme Court on Thursday August 29, 2013 ruled that John Dramani Mahama's presidency is valid and in a majority decision, dismissed the petition by the petitioners, ie the 2012 Presidential candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo; his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party's national chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey.
In a judgement that lasted barely ten minutes, Justice William Atuguba, President of the bench, concluded by saying that 'in the circumstances, the overall effect is that the first respondent was validly elected and the petition is therefore dismissed. Our various judgements, for the sake of convenience are handed over to the registrar of this court.
Below is the decision as read by Justice Atuguba. The Final Verdict: Well, this is the decision we have arrived at: Upon a scrutiny of the petition, we found that the issues to be determined are as set out at page 125 of the counsel for the petitioners' written address were as follows:
1. Over voting, 2. voting without biometric verification, 3. absence of the signature of the presiding officer, 4. duplicate serial numbers, that is to say occurrence of the same serial numbers on pink sheets for two different polling stations, 5. duplicate polling station codes, that is to say occurrence of different results of pink sheets for polling stations with the same polling station codes, 6. unknown polling stations, that is to say results recorded for polling stations that are not part of 26,002 polling stations provided by the second respondent in the petition.
We unanimously dismiss the claims relating to duplicate serial numbers, duplicate polling station codes, and unknown polling stations, that is for short.
Atuguba, Adinyira, Baffoe-Bonnie, Gbadegbe, and AkotoBamfo, dismiss the claim of over voting.
Atuguba, Adinyira, Baffoe-Bonnie, Gbadegbe, AkotoBamfo, dismiss the claims relating to absence of signature of presiding officer.
Atuguba, Adinyira, Dotsey, Baffoe-Bonnie, Gbadegbe, AkotoBamfo dismiss the claim relating to voting without biometric verification
Ansah, Owusu and Anim Yeboah grant all the three claims, that is to say, over voting, absence of presiding officers' signature and voting without biometric verification, annul the votes involved and order a rerun of the affected areas
Dotsey JSC grants the claim of over-voting but has provided a road-map in his judgement as in the figures of votes to be ascertained and cancelled and a re-run of the areas affected
Dotsey JSC upholds the claim relating to absence of presiding officers' signatures on the pink sheets cancels the results concerned and orders a rerun of the areas affected
Baffoe-Bonnie JSC grants the claim of voting without biometric verification cancels the votes involved and orders a rerun of the areas affected
In the circumstances the overall effect is that the first respondent was validly elected and the petition is therefore dismissed.
Our various judgements for the sake of convenience are handed over to the registrar of this court
We highly commend the services of KPMG, the referee appointed to undertake the count of the pink sheet and also the counsels on all sides of this case. That is our judgement.
Source:peacefmonline.com
Press Statement Marie Harf Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC August 29, 2013
The United States commends Ghana’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the 2012 presidential election dispute through a legal process, which culminated in today’s Supreme Court ruling upholding the results announced in December.
We respect Ghana’s judicial process and the transparency of the court’s proceedings, which were broadcast live and in full on television and radio.
The United States also applauds the political parties for their commitment to nonviolence throughout the legal process, and we compliment civil society organizations and other key stakeholders for their efforts to strengthen democracy and promote peace.
We remain committed to working with the people of Ghana, their government and with leaders of political parties and other civil society organizations to ensure that Ghana remains a model for democratic governance, rule of law, and stability.
###
The Date 29th in Ghana’s history. President John Mahama was born on November 29th, 1958. Vice President Amissah Arthur was born on April 29th 1951 Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo was born on March 29th, 1944. National Assembly Elections were Held on August 29, 1969 The first landmark election petition verdict was delivered on August 29th,
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Cameroon’s President Orders Pentecostal Churches Closed
is becoming insecure about the freedom of speech within these churches.
“Authorizing only the Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Muslim, and a few other churches, is a strict violation of the right to religion,” Tum added.
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Targeted Pentecostal Christians in Bamenda are transforming their private homes into churches.
North West Regional governor Adolphe Lele L’Afrique said Wednesday that police had discovered the abduction of 30 children under age 18 by a pastor in Bamenda. The pastor said he wanted to remove the children from a bad society, Lele added.
Government officials also say that some pastors convince congregants that they do not need profesYaounde, Cameroon (CNN) — Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has ordered the closure of nearly 100 Christian church- sional medical treatment for their ailments. es in key cities, citing criminal practices organized by “How can a pastor say the sick needs no medical Pentecostal pastors that threaten the security of the West doctor? We need sanity in our Christian lives,” African nation. Nyang Blaise, a youth leader for Biya’s ruling But Pentecostal pastors said the move is evidence of Biya’s party, CPDM, told CNN. insecurity about the churches’ criticism of the government. One woman said her mother was refusing cancer treatments because of her pastor. Biya is using the military to permanently shut down all Pentecostal church denominations in the nation’s capital, “My mother’s condition is worsening after doctors Yaounde, and the North West Regional capital, Bamenda, confirmed she had cancer. She is dying silently, which have the largest Christian populations in Cameroon. and yet we cannot persuade her to see a doctor for proper treatment, against her pastor’s wish,” More than 50 churches have now been closed, with the govDeborah Tanyi said. ernment targeting nearly 100 in eight other regions.
“We will get rid of all the so-called Christian Pentecostal pastors who misuse the name of Jesus Christ to fake miracles and kill citizens in their churches. They have outstretched their liberty,” Mbu Anthony Lang, a government official in Bamenda, told CNN Wednesday.
Nearly 500 Pentecostal churches operate in Cameroon, but fewer than 50 are legal, he added.
On Sunday, a 9-year-old Christian girl collapsed and died during a prayer session in Winners’ Chapel, a Pentecostal church in Bamenda. The girl’s mother, Mih Theresa, told CNN Wednesday that the pastor intended to cast out the numerous demons that were in control of her daughter’s life.
“I want the government to stop these pastors who use mysterious powers to pull Christians and kill then for more powers. All my children have ran away from the Catholic Church in search for miracles, signs and wonders,” she told CNN while holding back tears.
Another Christian, Mveng Thomas, said his marriage ended abruptly when a Pentecostal pastor ordered his wife to dissolve their union. He said the pastor described him as “an unrepentant devil.”
Pastors marched against the government’s decision Wednesday in Bamenda and Douala. Pastors said the Biya government sees the mass proliferation of churches as a threat.
Boniface Tum, a bishop of the Christian Church of God in Yaounde, said that Biya, who has been president since 1982,
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United States Breaks Ground On New Embassy in Cotonou, Benin
Photo courtesy of www.pmworldjournal.net
Office of the Spokesperson Department of State Washington, DC August 20, 2013
In an important symbol of our enduring friendship with Benin, U.S. Ambassador to Benin, Michael Raynor, broke ground on the new U.S. Embassy in Cotonou today.
The multi-building complex will be situated on an 8.8acre site along the Boulevard de la Marina and will include a chancery/office building, a support annex, a residence for the U.S. Marine detachment, a warehouse, a utility building, a recreational facility, and multiple access pavilions. When completed, the new complex will provide approximately 150 embassy employees with a secure, state-of-the-art, environmentally-sustainable workplace.
The $178 million project will incorporate numerous sustainable features, including a 250-kilowatt photovoltaic array, rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse, light-emitting diode (LED) site lighting, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures. The facility’s design targets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Certification Institute.
Yost Grube Hall Architecture of Portland, Oregon was the concept design architect and Page Southerland Page of Arlington, Virginia was the architect of record. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Alabama is the construction contractor. The new Embassy is scheduled to be completed in fall 2015.
Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations has completed 106 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 33 projects in design or under construction.
OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities should represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.
For more information, please visit the OBO website www.state.gov/obo, the project fact sheet http://www.state.gov/obo/releases/presskit/c59085.ht m, or contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov.
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African Diaspora Participates in March on Washington 50th Anniversary
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National Mall Washington, DC Saturday August 24, 2013
Dr. Sylvester Okere, Executive Director of the Continental Africa Leadership Forum (pictured with Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. III) joined a roster of speakers last Saturday (August 24th) at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. He spoke on behalf of the African immigrant community in the United States and stressed the importance of fixing America’s broken immigration system.
Other speakers including King III, Sharpton, Attorney General Eric Holder, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. addressed race relations in optimistic terms, describing America’s progress as encouraging but incomplete, but they also delved at times into more controversial fare like the Supreme Court’s recent decision overturning parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. They spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where 50 years ago this month King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Martin Luther King III paid tribute to his father’s legacy. “Five decades ago my father stood upon this hallowed spot” and “crystallized like never before the painful pilgrimage and aching aspirations of African-Americans yearning to breathe free.”
Tens of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington to listen to political and civil rights leaders reflect on the legacy of racial progress over the last half-century. They urged Americans to press forward in pursuit of King’s dream of equality.
The event was sponsored by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, Martin Luther King III and the NAACP. ###
Obama Announces Plan to Forgive All Student Loans
Afrikan
Post
President Obama announced a plan today to forgive 100 percent of all federal student loans in the country.
In a speech in Scranton, PA the president told an assembled crowd that it was unfair to hold college graduates to promises they made as students and outlined his vision for ending all student loan payments by the end of the year.
"Just because someone borrowed a bunch of money doesn't mean they have to pay it back," he explained to a friendly crowd at Scranton University. "This isn't 19th century England. This is America. And in America we've always believed in second chances.
"In today's economy a university education is more important than ever. Where would successful people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt or Mark Zuckerberg be without their college diplomas? These days skipping college just isn't an option, but neither is continuing to pay for increasingly expensive tuition.
"We need colleges to teach our young people useful skills like sociology, gender studies and postmodern Moldovan literary analysis. But the most important thing we need to teach them is responsibility. And what better way to teach responsibility than to hold these banks accountable for the terrible loans they've made." Nor a Lender Be
The student loan burden in America is estimated at over $1 trillion, with most of that in the federal government's hands. There are an estimated 40 million student loan borrowers who hold an average of $24,000 of debt between them. The cost of a college education in the U.S. has risen 600% since 1980, much faster than inflation.
Although since the financial crisis the level of other types of debt such as mortgages and credit cards has fallen, student loan debt has continued to rise alarmingly. Some economists have called this trend a crisis, as heavy loan burdens discourage consumer spending and housing sales among the young.
Many liberal activists have called for the type of loan forgiveness Obama announced today. Conservative economists, however, have called for the government to leave the market altogether, noting that cheap government loans allow students to artificially bid up the price of higher education.
Under Obama's plan all $900 billion in federal student loans will be wiped out on Nov. 1, and no further payments need be made after that date. The loss of revenue will add significantly to the U.S. government's deficit, although the cost would be spread out over several years.
The reaction among recent college graduates to the program has so far been ecstatic. Ryan Howard, a local paper salesman and graduate of Scranton University's MBA program, says he can't wait to have his debt forgiven.
"My wife, Kelly, has expensive tastes and we have another baby on the way," he explains. "I could really use the money."
Source : http://dailycurrant.com
Africa Movie Academy Award Winner Set to Make North American Debut September
The Huffington Post recently named Akosua Adoma Owusu “Most Promising Filmmaker” at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and one of the “Top 30 Black Contemporary Artists Under 40”. Her semi-autobiographical film, Kwaku Ananse, has been winning awards of its own on the international stage this year. Now, both film and filmmaker are headed to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where Kwaku Ananse will make its North American debut.
Kwaku Ananse is one of a handful of shorts being featured in the program titled To Repel Ghosts: Urban Tales from the African Continent, which showcases remarkably uncanny and fiercely contemporary African stories.
The Toronto International Film Festival describes Kwaku Ananse as “a spellbinding, semi-autobiographical interpretation of a traditional Ghanaian folktale in which the contemporary collides with the mythological in both content and form.”
The film’s quiet, deliberative tone draws viewers into the lead character’s experience, inviting empathy, and encouraging each of us to consider the state of our own relationships.
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Kwaku Ananse premiered at the Berlinale Film Festival and has since received accolades at the Cannes Short Film Corner and the French Film Academy’s Golden Nights Panorama, where it was included in the World’s Best Short Films category. It was produced by Lisa Cortes (Oscar-Nominated, Precious) and Julio Chavezmontes (Sundance New Frontier, Halley) and was created with the support of Focus Features Africa First, Art Matters and the Sarah Jacobson Film Grant.
Akosua Adoma Owusu is currently developing her feature debut, Black Sunshine which recently won the ARTE International Prize at Durban FilmMart and funding support by The Creative Capital Foundation.
Follow Akosua Adoma Owusu - Twitter: @akosuadoma & Facebook: www.facebook.com/kwakuanansefilm
Owusu describes the film as “an intensely personal project” that is “a reflection of a broader truth about the human condition,” and “an effort to preserve a fable my late father passed on to me.”
COBAANA Gives To Sunyani Regional Hospital
CONFERENCE OF Brong Ahafo Associations of North America (COBAANA), an umbrella organisation of the various groups of Brong-Ahafo indigenes domiciled in the USA, has donated eight functional beds worth about $90,000 to the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital in Sunyani.
The modern patient trolleys meant for transporting patients from the theatre to the wards are expected to boost quality health delivery in the ultra-modern 300-bed capacity major referral hospital in the region. At a short ceremony to present the beds to the management of the hospital last Friday, representatives of COBAANA, Darko Poku and Margaret Amponsah, explained that the umbrella organisation of the various Brong Ahafo associations in the US was established four years ago with the main objective of helping to advance the development of the region.
Mr Darko Poku said with COBAANA, there were a lot more that Brong Ahafo residents in the US could do for the region and Ghana as a whole. He indicated that the group had already donated a number of bed sheets to the same hospital, pointing out that they again have plans to help to provide financial support and equipment for the hospital’s blood bank. “We are committed to quality healthcare in Brong Ahafo and we are willing to do more to promote quality healthcare in the hospital,” he added.
Receiving the items, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Jacob Abebrese, acknowledged COBAANA’s kind gesture and commended them on behalf of the Regional
Coordinating Council, Health Directorate and the hospital. The Medical Director indicated that the Regional Hospital was the citadel of medical services in the region having been equipped with ultra-modern equipment with about 1,000 staff including 200 nurses, 70 doctors and 15 specialists.
He assured the donors that the beds would be put to good use to serve their intended purposes, while underscoring the need for indigenes of the region to come together to support the development of the region.
FROM Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako, Sunyani
Maryland & Cross River State, S.E. Nigeria, Sign Sister-State Agreement September
2013
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Story By Frederick Nnoma-Addison
Maryland and Cross River State, (South Eastern Nigeria) signed an MOU to become Sister-States under the Maryland Sister-States Program. Governor Martin O’Malley (Maryland) and Governor Liyel Imoke (Cross River) signed the agreement on behalf of their respective states at the Miller Senate Office Building in Annapolis. About 100 leaders from the diplomatic, business, academic, religious, development, and nonprofit communities witnessed the ceremony. Before signing the documents, the two governors highlighted the importance of the common interests, aspirations and challenges of Marylanders and Cross River State citizens, to the partnership.
In a similar ceremony in June, Governor O’Malley acknowledged the contributions of the 25,000 Nigerian-Americans in the state of Maryland. The two governors congratulated each other for making this agreement possible and exchanged official gifts after the ceremony.
According to the Office of the Secretary of State, the Maryland Sister-State program oversees an array of international exchanges promoting a balance of business, educational, and cultural interests. It is chaired by the Secretary of State, steered by a devoted and spirited Advisory Board of Directors, and staffed by an army of citizenvolunteers. It was established in 1980 to provide a forum for the promotion of international cooperation and understanding. Source:amipnewsonline.com
President Obama’s Statement On Recent Presidential Elections In Mali
Photo by Jay L. Baker Chief Photographer, Office of the Governor Miller Senate Office Building Annapolis, Maryland Tuesday August 20, 2013
President Compaoré Survives Assassination Attempt
Cape Town — A renegade soldier has made an attempt on the life of Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaoré, reports Fasozine.
The attack took place on August 30th, Friday night. Fasozine reports official sources as saying that a former member of the presidential guard, Romuald Tuina, was shot dead in a gun battle with security forces. Tuina was wanted for crimes including a bank robbery in which he allegedly made off with millions of West African francs (several thousand U.S. dollars).
The fact that a wanted soldier could successfully penetrate presidential security has raised concerns about the efficiency of the country's security.
Photo courtesy of www.erewise.com
Office of The Press Secretary The White House Washington DC
Before this incident, Tuina had reportedly been in hiding in a unnamed neighbouring country. The ministry of justice, in a televised broadcast, revealed that a prison certificate of discharge issued from a foreign country was found on Tuina.
Compaoré came to power in 1987 in coup in which then-president Thomas Sankara was assassinated. Compaoré has insisted that Sankara's death was an accident, despite the circumstances surrounding Sankara's death never being investigated.
As head of state, Compaoré reversed many of the Sankara's policies, claiming that his policies On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Mali and Presidentwere a "rectification" of the Burkinabé revolution. elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on a successful election on August 11. Through the Interim Government’s management of a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process, and with the Adapted and translated from the original French by Michael Tantoh. extraordinary turnout of the Malian people, this election has helped restore Mali’s democratic tradition. We encourage the candidates and their supporters to accept the results, and to use this election as a foundation for further progress on democracy, national reconciliation, and addressing the security and humanitarian crises in the north. The United States stands with the people and government of Mali as they work to advance peace and stability in Mali and the region. We look forward to working closely with the new government to broaden and deepen the ties between our two nations.
Breaking the Stronghold: Myles Monroe to Host Holy Fire Dynamic Word International Leadership Summit in Namibia Concludes 21 Days of Fasting and Prayers September 2013
THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL, Bronx NY – During the month of August, Holy Fire Dynamic Word Church set aside 21 Days for fasting and prayers. “How do we seek God? One can never say it enough than through fasting and prayer. Fasting helps us focus our priorities on God. It puts God first and allows us to hear His voice, receive His direction and blessings. If we want our lives, marriage, work and everything to succeed, then we have to put God first. “The Bible says that great men of God such as Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Paul and Jesus himself fasted so that they might draw closer to God” Prophet Eric Owusu said. He said most of the time the glory of God does not shine in our lives because our candle is turned down, but when your candle stick is lit it always shine on you and turn things into your favor. Isaiah 60:1 “Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you”.
Prophet Eric Owusu
“This event is important as it seeks to create a united platform for Namibian leaders to share knowledge and to network beyond the barriers of political philosophy and church denominations”, says Well known international Christian leader, Dr Apostle Goroh, founder of Greater Love Myles Monroe will visit Namibia for the Ministries. fourth time on 15 October as part of a Greater Love Ministries Leadership summit, Greater Love Ministries is situated in ‘Empower the Leader, Transform the Nation’. Okuruyangava and focusses on meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the An undisputed leadership trainer, Dr Munroe community, especially the youth and is respected by governments across the young children. world, and is Bahamas youngest recipient of the Order of the British Empire Award (OBE An invitation has been extended to ), bestowed on him by England’s Queen President Hifikepunye Pohamba to Elizabeth II. address the evening function.
He is also a recipient if the Silver Jubilee Award, the highest bestowed by the Government of the Bahamas for his contribution to civic and social development of his nation and the Caribbean region in general.
“We, the church must rise to the occasion and take government’s hand in rendering services to the nation and to meet the critical spiritual needs of our nation. Leaders are what we need,” said Goroh.
A native of the Bahamas, Dr Munroe has trained thousands of leaders in business, industry, education, government and religion. Each year, he addresses 500 000 men and women on professional development. In Namibia, Dr Munroe will be hosted by the Dr Theo Ben Gurirab during a courtesy visit on 14 October . Geingob has been invited to Source:The Christian Journal open proceedings at the Safari Hotel and Conference Centre.
During the evening of 15 October, Namibians from all walks of life will be able to attend
Pastor Rapes Woman in Church During 'Spiritual Bath' for deliverance in his church.
He said: "He asked the woman to come to the church to take a spiritual bath for her deliverance, but, while the complainant was taking her bath, the accused barged into the bathroom, grabbed the woman and raped her.
Pastor Sobowale, who was arraigned before a Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday, was accused of "The accused has committed an offence contrary to section 357 raping one Dupe Makinde, 30, who lives in Isaje, and punishable under section 358 of criminal code of law of Abeokuta, while taking a spiritual bath allegedly recomOgun State, Nigeria, 2006." mended by the pastor.
The prosecuting counsel, Paul Etusi, told the court that the accused grabbed the complainant while she was in a bathroom within the church premises and raped her.
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meetings, organisers say, at a minimal cost still to be announced. Also in attendance will be national leaders, community leaders and church leaders.
He declared that from now on God’s light shines in every one’s life quoting John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” There were many testimonies, one by a police officer who had a serious court case during the fasting; The Prophet had prophesied to him that his case will be dismissed in the name of God. The officer testifies that indeed when he went for the hearing the judge dismissed his case. He was so happy and did not know how to thank God. There was another woman who had a lump in her breast after examination and later went for a second exam during the fasting and it has disappeared. The service ended with the favorite line, Lord put my candle stick back. It was a month of divine visitation.
Abeokuta — A 46-year-old Pastor, Olamide Sobowale, of Glory Church of Christ Aladura, Oke-Itoku, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been ordered to be remanded in prison for allegedly raping a woman while bathing in his church backyard.
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Magistrate A. Araba after listening to the prosecuting counsel, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison till he gets advice from the Director of Public Prosecution and adjourned the case till September 16,2013.
Etusi said the complainant had already put the soap on her face as she began bathing when the pastor suddenly entered the bathroom, grabbed and raped her with soap on her face. By Daud Olatunji, Vanguard-Nigeria According to Etusi, the accused had told Mrs. Makinde that he had a vision about the her and asked her to come
September 2013
Offices in Dumfries and Alexandria Call to Make an Appointment
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The Absurdity of You Her Page
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Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah
hese days, I find myself more and more in disbelief when I hear arguments against Christians and their faith. Christian values, what most people at one point called good moral values, are not only questioned but ridiculed on television and other media sources. Espousing Christian beliefs has become a joke to too many. It is unbelievable to me how much this country has changed in thinking, lifestyle and moral choices in the past twenty-five years. What was once unspeakable is now the norm and anyone who does not accept it is rather the one who is unreasonable and even ridiculous. It isn’t that I was unaware the country and the world are changing and have changed for the worse morally. But the ideas of a commentator on a program recently arrested my attention and I was simply taken aback with what she was claiming as normal. Not only did she discredit those who believe in God as insane, but her views on life and family went far beyond even what one usually heard from nonbelievers. Contradictorily, she and her supporters are convinced that those who share their philosophy and attitude are rather progressive and rational. I wondered how this sort of thinking had developed and how it had come to shape the minds and attitudes of so many in the country and the world. I wondered how a nation once built on the virtues of God had become so separated from God. Finally, I wondered how it could possibly be difficult for someone to believe in God and His virtues, seeing all the evidence of His existence around us. About two days later, as I was reading 1st John 3:1, I had an “aha” moment and then understood why this person, like many others I have seen, heard or read of, could think the way she does. The above Biblical text states: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” Right there and then, I recalled the commentator and thought no wonder! If the concept of God is ludicrous to her and those like her, how much more His followers? How can one begin to accept and take seriously Christians when they couldn’t even imagine, much less accept, the
very idea of their God? Furthermore, 1st John 5-7 warns that “They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” With this occupying my mind, I knew I had my next topic, and there, the title “The Absurdity of You” was conceived. As I began to write this article, my thoughts were that I was going to set as the article’s foundation the scripture in 1st John 3:1 and focus on the divide between those who know God and those who do not and why the makings of our minds and belief systems are so vastly different. Furthermore, my focus was going to be that this divide exists because Satan has misled and blinded the unbelievers. Such influence is why they think the way they do and consequently, why this country and the rest of the world has become what it is. However, four paragraphs and one week later, while praying again for God’s guidance on writing the article, I was further enlightened. I sensed my prayer request being answered as the thoughts I was to share on the topic began to flow so fast that I had to leave my bedside, go to my home office to retrieve my notebook and resume writing the article. The Lord shared with me that indeed there is a divide, and Satan has been doing his part to create and maintain this divide, but that we as Christians have also fueled this separation ensuring that nonbelievers will remain hardened to His word. In the end, the blame cannot be laid only at the doorsteps of Satan, but at ours as well because of what we Christians do and also fail to do. Undoubtedly, there is a divide and it is developing wider by the day. The two sides of that divide, as noted above, have been drawn as the absurd and the rational. If you are one whose life and decisions are shaped and informed by biblical doctrine and principles, you are perceived as strange or absurd. However, if you espouse a rejection of such ideals and rather embrace some sentiments contrary to biblical guidance, then you are considered advanced, rational and your ideas more acceptable to the changing world. People have and are rejecting God’s principles and fabricating their own to live by. This is the new morality. The very idea of this new morality, where immoral choices have been renamed moral speaks to the reality that Satan has done a number on the people, culture and atmosphere. People are hardened and have not only become deaf to God’s word, but they have also believed the lies told by Satan. The fact remains that the Way, the Truth, and the
September 2013
Life as presented by and through Christ (John 14:6) have become absurd and as a result, those who follow His truth, His way and Him are the absurd. But the absurdity of the Christian has a double meaning. What I learned as I prayed about the topic was that the absurdity of you is twofold. First, as a Christian, you are absurd, unexplainable, because you believe in God— an unknown mysterious being who cannot be comprehended. Your God cannot be understood and your belief in Him leaves so many even more puzzled, shaking their heads at your supposed gullibility or possible insanity. As a result, those who esteem their views beyond knowledge of God reject Him. But on the other hand, the absurdity also points to the fact that we as Christians are to be the salt of the earth, but who knows of salt that has lost its savor? Such salt is absurd— it ceases to be salt and as the Bible says, it is worth nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet (Matt. 5:13). I learned through writing this piece that part of why people’s hearts have been hardened is that Satan, that opposer of God and His righteousness, has been effectively working long and hard to harden mankind’s heart and soul and to turn them away from any possibility of righteousness. He would rather that we value our education, scientific, philosophical and social knowledge and statuses rather than the knowledge of God. And because people are indulging in this heightened sense of selfappraisal and confidence, the world has become more godless and this godless behavior is exemplified in the discourse and experiential practices of today’s generation. Part of the reason this effect has become so pronounced is that too many Christians have lost their savor. Although the gospel of Christ is now more spread than ever before, largely due to technology, and many Christians are doing their part to live by and spread biblical principles, too many Christians are simply not exemplifying the word of God as we should. We are often not living the life that Christ called us to live as individuals and as a body. We are characterized as hypocrites, doing the same things or worse than an unbeliever. Whether it is bickering, cursing, gossiping, stealing, coveting someone’s property or spouse, Christians are found guilty. While Christ’s exemplary life caused many to be drawn to Him, too many “Christians” rather turn people away from Christ. Again, too many of us are either consistently practicing hypocrisy or we are inconsistent in following our Christian principles.
Revelations 12:11 tells us that we overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and by the testimony of the saints.
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Furthermore, we are so self-involved that we do not consider how our lives are images or texts to be read by onlookers. It is the testimonies of our lives, what people see and hear that will draw them to the saving knowledge of God. It is our lives as a text that will touch that hardened and distrustful heart of an unbeliever to see something divine in us, to see that indeed, there is a God, there is validity in Christ and Christianity. We can’t be perfect, but we operate too much in the flesh to make the impact Christ desires we make. We need to resist the flesh more; we need to understand and remember our role and commitment as Christians so that we are able to mimic the impact Christ had on others. Revelations 12:11 tells us that we overcame the enemy by the blood of the lamb and by the testimony of the saints. Those testimonies are not only accounts of our triumphs from our trials and tribulations, but they also refer to the words we speak, the messages we knowingly or unknowingly impart to others simply by living a life consistent to the teachings of Christ. But if we are failing to do this, to have our lives be an open chapter of the Word of Life, to have our lives be a supplementary text to the Bible, then are we not absurd? We can’t simply shake our heads at the unbelievers, the atheists, the unaffected, the disputers of Christ and His word; we have to see how we are culpable in all of this. How is it that the world is becoming more depraved in deeds, lifestyles and decisions when there is plenty of salt to go around? I acknowledge that these are the last days and the Bible rightly predicts the last days will be even more wicked as mankind will draw away from God, but part of the cause of that effect is that professed followers of Christ are not consistently living the life that Christ has called us to live. So when one who doesn’t know Christ sees us and does not see anything in us to be desired, then it only substantiates their opinion that the belief in Christ is absurd. Again, we are not without fault, but we have become so involved in the flesh and worldly things that the main difference between us and the unbelievers is our religious beliefs and not our acts. We have to bear in mind we are the salt of the earth and have been called to live the Truth, the Way and the Life.
Jealous Husband
HUSBAND: My wife where are you? WIFE: At home love. HUSBAND: Are you sure? WIFE: Yes. HUSBAND: Turn on the blender. WIFE: (turns blender on) reeereeeereeee HUSBAND: Ok my love goodbye.
Joke Center
Why I Did not Study TEACHER: Why didn't you study?
AKPOS: A year has 365 days for you to study. After taking away 52 Sundays, there are only 313 days left. There are 50 days in the summer that is way too hot to work so there are only 263 days left. We sleep 8 hours a day, in a year, that counts up to 122 days so now we're left with 141 days. If we fooled around for only 1 hour a day, 15 days are gone, so we Another day are left with 126 days. We spend 2 hours eating each day, 30 days are used in this way in the year, and we are left with 96 HUSBAND: My wife where are you? days in our year. We spend 1 hour a day speaking to friends WIFE: At home love and family, that takes away 15 days more and we are left HUSBAND: Are you sure? with 81 days. Exams and tests take up at least 35 days in WIFE: Yes your year; hence you are only left with 46 days. Taking off HUSBAND: Turn on the blender approximately 40 days of holidays, you are only left with 6 WIFE: (turns blender on) reeereeeereeee days.Say you are sick for a minimum of 3 days; you're left HUSBAND: Ok my love goodbye with 3 days in the year to study! Let's say you only go out The next day, the husband decides to go home with- for 2 days...You're left with 1 day. But that 1 day is your out notice, and finds his son alone and he asked him birthday. That's why I did not study son where is your mother? TEACHER: keep quiet!!! SON: I don't know, she went out with the blender.
Akpos went to his neighbour and asked him if he had any remedy for his terrible toothache. AKPOS: I'm having a terrible toothache can you help me? NEIGHBOUR: Last week I had more terrible toothache than yours, I just kissed my wife and it stop. AKPOS: Please where is your wife let's start immediately.
Akpos is currently receiving treatment in the hospital for heavy injuries.
A very successful naija man parked his new lexus in front of his office ready to show it off to his collegues, as he got out a trailer passed too close and completety tore off the door, the man immediately grabbed his cell phone, called the police, and they arrived. before the officer could say anything the man was scereaming hysteriacally, my lexus!, my lexus!, will never be the same again no matter what the panel -beater did to it, the officer just loked at the man in disgust and shook his head, i cant beleieve how materialistic you are, he said, you are soo focused on your possessions that you dont notice anything else. how can you say such a thing? asked the man. dont you know that your left arm is missing from your elbow down, it must have been torn off when the truck hit you..........., oh my God replied the man, "MY ROLEX" wrist watch.
September 2013
God Is Missing
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There were two little boys, 8 and 10 years old, very mischievous and naughty. They were always get into trouble and their parents knew that, if any mischief occurred in their city, their sons were probably involved.
They boy's mother heard that a clergyman in city had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning and 10-year-old in the afternoon to see the clergyman .
The clergyman, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Where is God?".
They boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open, wide-eyed. So the clergyman repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God!!?" Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the clergyman raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "WHERE IS GOD!?" The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What happened?"
The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time, dude. God is missing - and they think WE did it!"
September 2013
Hawknad Manufacturing Industries, Inc Alexandria Virginia, 22312 Tel : 703-941-0444
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Ghanaians In Madison Volunteer At A Food Pantry
September 2013
(Ghana Association of Madison)St. Francis Assisi once said“…for it is in giving that we receive…”. Motivated by this saying, members of the Ghana Association of Madison (GhAMa) in Wisconsin -USA, undertook a voluntary service at a food pantry in Madison on August 3, 2013. It was a great opportunity for GhAMa which has been around for nine years, to give back to the community and to promote the association, Ghana, the African community at large, whiles fostering closer relationship between Ghanaians and residents of Madison. The society of St. Vincent de Paul, the site for the voluntary activity is one of the leading welfare groups in the United States, dedicated to assisting those in need and seeking charity and justice. Their branch in Madison operates the largest food
pantry in Dane County with a client choice model serving more than 22,000 households. In 2012 they donated more than $1,300,000 worth of food to residents of Madison and GhAMa is proud to be associated with them. Clad in their GhAMa t-shirts, members assisted clients to pick up groceries and other household items such as toilet rolls, diapers, detergents, children’s books, etc., whiles others stayed behind the scenes re-packaging boxes that would be sent to the shop floor. In all, a total of 100 families and individuals were served within a four-hour period, to the admiration of the clients and the management of St. Vincent de Paul. The numerous “thank you” received as well as occasional questions about Ghana were enough feedback that our servic-
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es were greatly appreciated. In return, GhAMa volunteers were very glad to have given out their time and energy; and expressed their willingness to engage in such exercise in the future. Since then, GhAMa, Ghana, and Africa have been on the lips of the over hundred people who we had the opportunity of engaging. Ayekoo to all the volunteers and GhAMa.
Visit their website @ www.ghamanet.com
By Charles Ampong
The Gambia Appoints Ghanaian Woman As Chief Justice A local report said "The Gambian presidency has announced that President Yahya Jammeh, acting under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic and in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, has decided to remove Justice Wowo from his appointment," and replaced her with Justice Agyemang. Since she was called to the Ghanaian Bar in 1987 and the Ghanaian Bench soon after, Justice Agyemang has served in the judiciaries of the governments of Ghana, The Gambia and Swaziland.
Justice Mabel Yamoa Agyemeng
She began working for the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2004, first being sent to The Gambia where she spent four years as a High Court judge, and then to Swaziland in a similar capacity.
She was appointed to the High Court of Swaziland in October 2008 for a two-year assignment to help strengthen the judiciary and deliver fast, expert judgments on cases. Her previous assignment, to Justice Mabel Yamoa Agyemeng, an expert Appeal The Gambia from September 2004 to 2008, saw her Court judge from the Commonwealth Secretariat, sitting as a High Court judge. replaces Justice Wowo who has been removed Here she was so successful that the Justice Ministry from office. asked her to serve for an additional year in the country’s Court of Appeal. President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambian has appointed a Ghanaian judge as the country's Chief Justice.
However, she declined the offer in favour of an assignment in Swaziland, so that she could further broaden her experience. According to records, Justice Mabel Agyemang, who served in the land and civil division, Commercial division and Criminal division completed about 365 files during her four-year tenure in The Gambia as a High Court judge. Prior to her appointment s Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Agyemang was serving as a member of the Gambia Court of Appeal.
Afrikan
Ngozi Ezeonu Opens Up About Drastic Weight Loss
Post
Apparently, days ago Actress Ngozi Ezeonu’s recent pictures hit the net and it went viral (See Here)…. Probably because she has been out of circulation for a while and showed up looking all slim, people are shouting that she is ill.
Nigerian actor turned politician, Richard Mofe Damijo popularly called RMD is one of the hottest actors in Nollywood despite his age.
He has never been accused of gaining weight but lately due to age-related factors, the actor has gained some weight which became obvious to fans and colleagues.
Reacting to questions concerning her new look, here is what she had to say… “I am not sick, I have been battling with my weight for ten years and I have finally achieved what I want.
Richard Mofe Damijo has recently lost some weight making him slimmer than usual.
I am not sick, it is my choice to loose some weight and I pulled it off. I feel good loosing weight, it takes a lot of discipline”
Check out his before and after pics below and tell us what you think in the comment section below. http://news.naij.com/43065.html
How did you pull it off?
”I cut off eating a lot of things, I was addicted to coca cola, juice and I cut off all that,Ii also stopped eating What is the secret of your glowing skin? banana altogether, it took a lot of discipline. I stopped eating too much carbohydrates and I eat more of proteins ”I didn’t do anything, I don’t even do facials, I don’t even have a and a lot of veggies…a lot” cleanser. I just drink lots of water and dont forget I am light skinned”. So you are not ill?
”I wonder why they will think I am ill when my skin is glowing and when I feel good..when people are used to see you looking fat and they see all the fat gone,their eyes plays tricks on them”
Ghanaian Actor Lil Win’s Girlfriend Gives Birth
“I don’t allow stardom to get into my head; I rather keep calm and learn from others because I know where I am coming from. I have really gone through a lot before getting here and if I am making it today, I believe the best thing is to learn more and be on top for a very long time”. – Lil Win (Kwadwo Nkansah).
And he is now a proud father, welcoming a bouncy baby boy to his beloved family. His girlfriend of five years, Patricia Afriyie, has given birth to their first child.
Story from myjoyonline.com News:
“Some celebrities will easily forget about their girlfriends they have toiled with when they became famous, but I will not do that for anything because she has helped me a lot. I know if I was nobody, the ladies who are willing to date me now will probably not accept me if I wanted to date them.
Richard Mofe Damijo Extreme Weight Loss S e p t e m b e r 2013
Afrikan
Post
True Worshippers 5th Anniversary Concert
September 2013
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God moved mountains. Lives were turned around and destinies were changed. It was a glorious experience as Yaw Osei-Owusu and the various artists unleashed a powerful and anointed time of praise and worship on the 5th anniversary of the annual True worshippers concert which brings together youth and young adults from all over the Washington Metro Area. The True
worshippers led by Minister Yaw Osei-Owusu comprises of several young ladies and gentlemen who are on fire for the Lord. For the past five years it has been an annual event every summer to organize a concert for the young people in the community to honor the Lord. This years event was held at the Church of Pentecost Auditorium at Lorton Virginia on Saturday, August 10, 2013 . There were special perfomances by the Talila Praise Group, Kojjo Reeves, Daniel Twum, Blessing and Yaw Osei-Owusu
Yaw Osei-Owusu introducing his crew
Kojjo Reeves , Daniel Twum and Wife
The Tahila Praise Group
Yaw Osei-Owusu delivering a word of exhaltation
Yaw Osei-Owusu making a presentation to Mrs. Theresah Obeng of Obeng International in appreciation for her support
Minister Blessing firing up the crowd
The excited crowd
The True Worshippers crew
True Worshippers, patrons and artists
Pastor Nixon leading praises
SLPP/NA Convention and Inaugural Ceremony Ends in Dallas Texas
Afrikan
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August 3, 2013: Texas, USA – It was a new day in Dallas, Texas when a dynamic political leader, Mrs. Khadijatu Yelie Tejan-Sie stood at a podium addressing members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) North America to conform to the party’s core values of unity and love. The convention alongside with the inaugural ceremony was held at the Grand Hotel in Dallas with the SLPP/NA Chairman, Mr. Jerry E. George who chaired all sessions of the conventions and the inauguration of Mrs. Tejani-Sie. The center of discussions was absolutely about the devastating effect on the raging conflicts that have never reached a solution in the party. Almost all delegates that were permitted to speak spoke the same way, focusing on the core values which require humility, patience, and tolerance, among other things. Any grievance, conflict, disagreement or dispute among Party members should be set aside and work together to achieve the party national cohesive goals, the delegates applauded. In the deliberation, almost every speaker in the convention appealed for peace and unity here in the North America branch and back home so that the SLPP prevails come 2017 General elections. The process of devising for conflict resolution in the party generally configures a challenging task, but as one guest speaker, Josephine Ladipo in Dallas stated, we need to know our goals and start collaborating now. One of the speakers believes that, by encouraging an open and prompt dialogue is a unique approach to a conflict resolution. Another approach the delegates mentioned is to address the problems that generally causing the continuing conflicts among party members in North America. Despite the fact that conflict is sometimes is a necessary part of collaborative planning, but conflict without a resolution does not represent the party values, asserted the delegates. They believe that the most cherished commodity in the party is that of former president, John Kennedy quote that, “united we stand divided we fall”, could aspire to protect their norms and cultural values from harm.
Addressing delegates at the convention, the new Dallas chapter chairlady, Mrs. Khadijatu Tejan-Sie was astonished about misconceptions and the misrepresentation of the SLPP that many people have in their minds to be a “Mende” party. She made a reflection on the history of the party which she said was established from the northern part of the country and that any assertion to claim the party for one tribe is a gross misrepresentation of the national political party. Ms. Tejan-Sie spoke eloquently and passionately with details about what she described as the sacred norms and values of the Sierra Leone People’s Party which she said are geared towards a resounding success come 2017 elections in Sierra Leone. She said, “The core values and norms in concert with our shared commitment and vision to making our party successful are by far bigger than our human self. Even though the elections that she won to assume the position as first woman to lead the Dallas chapter, and as put it, might brought some ill feelings among members, but it is crystal clear that the elections were conducted in competitive free and fair elections in accordance with the principles of democracy. Mrs. Tejan-Sie, who some members of the party begin to see as the next iron-lady of the party in general, believes that politics is about numbers and those numbers should be made active and held together by a common vision and goal. She mapped out strategies of increasing membership in her chapter as well as conducting fundraising events. With the fundraising strategies, she said, she and her team have plans to expand it beyond the traditional occasional dance but to reach out potential donors who will eventually also benefit a tax deductible through the tax-refund regulations of the United States.
In the second face of the event, the Chairlady addresses the entire Sierra Leone community stressing about women’s participation in politics. She said, the time is now for women to raise their voices because she believes that equitable participa-
September 2013
Photo: Mrs. Khadijatu Tejan-Sie Keynote address)
The women’s wing of SLPP Dallas
All posing for National Anthem of Sierra Leone and America
tion of women in politics and government is essential to building and sustaining democracy. Mrs. Khadijatu Tejan-Sie also raised concern over people suffering in Africa. She said therefore, we as Sierra Leoneans should create an environment where women can advocate on matters of policy, run for political office, be elected, govern effectively, and participate meaningfully in every facet of civic and political life. “We women are a powerful force to be reckoned with as long as democracy is prevailing in Sierra Leone”, she concluded.
The SLPP convention in Dallas was phenomenal. Despite the fact that I have never attended any of the convention before, but it seem to me this one deserved to be commended. It was widely diverse and speakers were in their feet to focus on the main theme of discussions. All speakers spoke strategically to a designed agenda with common-
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Mrs. Tejan-Sie and SLPPNA Chairman, Mr. Jerry E. George
Mrs. Tejan-Sie and his Vice, Amadu Barrie
Dallas SLPP Chairlady addresses the community
ly understood goals and objectives. There was no negative attitude against the ruling party, or other political parties, neither any government minister nor representative. The interim president of the Dallas, All People’s Social and cultural group (APC/SC), Mr. Cornilious Macarthy, was honored to speak on behalf of his party. The final speaker of the inaugural ceremony, the APC/SC representative, Mr. Macarthy, commended the counterpart the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) for its supporter’s courage to concede the past elections without violence. It was very impressive in the first instance that the elections contestation does not resort to any violence from the primaries and the general elections. Mr. Macarthy believes that if such culture continues Sierra Leone will ever remain on top of the map for a better democracy. Stay tune for the powerful profile of Khadijatu Teja-Sie.
By Sanpha Sesay
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September 2013
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America School of Nursing and Allied Health Holds Graduation Ceremony
Afrikan
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America School of Nursing and Allied Health, located in the Woodbridge, Virginia, provides nursing education and other health care career training programs to individuals that are interested in seeking jobs in health care. The mission of America School of Nursing and Allied Health is to provide enriched nursing education and successful career training to a diverse student body and the community at large. The school endeavors to produce qualified, competent and compassionate nurses and health care professionals who are able to function effectively in a variety of health care settings. In August another batch of students graduated as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). The school is on the verge of starting a Licenced Practical Nurse program (LPN) this fall .
Mrs. Esi Gyenin, Director of ASNAT
One of the students reading the class address
An Instructor and Special Guest addressing the class
A parent encouraging the graduates
Students with their family, Instructors and Director
September 2013
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Young Poet Speaks On His Art And The African Dream
By Oral Ofori
Oppong Clifford Benjamin is a poet who calls himself a proud citizen of the African Continent, he is originally from a village called Prestea in the Western region of Ghana. Oppong has been writing poetry since age 14 and his work has been noticed by other seasoned and young poets across Africa in countries like South Africa and Nigeria. 'I first met poetry in 2005 during my junior high school days when Omo Ghana organized a nation-wide poetry and essay competition in which I contested. My poem; This is My Home placed 7th among 300 other young poets' he says. From then onwards, his obsession grew stronger and stronger and he fed it by reading and learning all he could about poetry until he started to capture wrongs in society, African history and culture and happenings in this personal life through poems. This piece was bourn out of a chat I had with Clifford available here. Poetry in the opinion of Clifford is an art of using words to express emotions. The beauty of poetry comes when you make words dance to their own rhymes. When words are used to combat threatening issues in a society poetry then becomes the world in words. I asked this young poet to mention poets whose works have influenced and inspired him. He did not mince words when he named Kofi Awoonor as someone he greatly looks up to. The way Kofi blends his native language with English to make poetry leaves a pleasant taste both in the ear, mouth and mind of the reader Clifford points out. Besides Kofi, the young poet mentions Nigerian Kukogho Iruisire Samson, an Orange Prize winner and the owner of Words Rhyme and Rhythm (WRR) who he describes as unique in his writing style and desire to showcase young African poets, and Noleen Desiree Titus; a South African essayist who writes to spread the gospel online.
Poems by Clifford have for the most times been on issues threatening Africa and Her Development, sometimes his poetic sword cuts across his past life experiences, which is why he conveniently titles his style of poetry as Pan-Africanism. His writing style has been noticed beyond the boarders of his home Ghana with a number of his works receiving international recognition.
Family and Guests of the Students
My Lame Friend On The Street caught so much attention on the Words Rhyme and Rhythm (WRR) page on Facebook when it was first posted there. 'My Lame Friend On The Street' is a poem written in honor of a diasbled friend this poet had in Ghana who begged for alms on the Tetteh Quarshie Highway. The two Continued on page 33
September 2013
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S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 3 Page 30
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Afrikan
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One Night In Vegas Poised To Raise Bar For African Movies Scenes from the Movie
Michael Blankson
A new era has been born for the Africa movie industry by Koby Maxwell's KM Productions. The multi-talented artist from Ghana says he is taking the movie industry of the continent to new heights with his new production—'One night in Vegas'—to be world premiered at the National Navy Museum in Washington DC on September 13, 2012.
into a twisted tale where friendships are shattered, new relationships form and lives are changed from just 'One night in Vegas'. KM Productions is working to ensure that this historic movie is also premiered in Africa as Koby tells me that his fans in Ghana will soon have a taste of this film as well. This movie will be the first African There will be a 5pm screening and an 8pm screen- movie to be translated into Spanish and ing of the premier to be followed by a question French. According to KM Productions it and answer segment afterwards. The red carpet is going to be packed with romance, a event will be hosted by Chardelle Moore a Kali series of life changing events, and action TV anchor, model, speaker, and also former Miss packed drama starring A-list Nollywood, Caribbean in the USA. Producer Koby Maxwell Gollywood, and Hollywood actors from says this movie gives him the ultimate platform to Nollywood golden boy Van Vicker, fordisplay his multi-talented career portfolio built mer Miss Haiti Universe and Queen over the years. Hiapanoamerica 2012 Sarodj Bertin who Koby is a gifted bass player, singer, lyricist, actor, is also an international model. There will composer and producer who brings a unique blend be special appearance of the well known of talents to this colorful and historic movie execu- US based Ghanaian comedian Michael tive-produced by his production firm; KM Blackstone and many more. Productions, in association with Jimmy JeanLouis, RVI Motion and Jet Media Productions. The movie editor is Tim Wilson and directed by John In 2011 Koby Maxwell along with Van Uche. Vicker starred in 'Paparazzi—Eye in the dark' which was selected as best movie in One Night in Vegas was story-lined by Koby the African Movie Academy Award Maxwell who tells me that this project is like his (AMAA) and selected for screening by personal baby and he is excited to watch it grow. The Pan African Film Festival Awards in The movie follows the life of James Foster who is Hollywood. This year, One Night in Vegas played by Ghanaian actor John Dumelo; winner of seeks to raise the bar a little higher says the 2011 Africa Most Outstanding Actor and 2012 Koby Maxwell who currently resides in Best African Actor Award. Maryland USA.
John Dumelo and Koby Maxwell
Van Vicker
James Foster who is faced with marital difficulties and issues from his past decides to take a trip to Vegas to escape from his daily struggles and also Oral Ofori revive his relationship with his wife played by award winning Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson. The couple tag along their trusty bodyguard played by Jimmy Jean Louis who is best known for his role on the NBC Television Series HEROES. What seems to be a perfect getaway quickly unravels
John Uche (Director ) and crew on location
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Pastor Biodun Confesses Adultery
In a very revealing Un-edited interview with Chris Ihidero, Pastor Biodun opens up.Read below ---
Good morning, Man of God. Thank you for finally speaking on this issue sir.'
'Welcome my brother, you are blessed. It is you I must thank for being very open-minded about this whole nonissue. I read your column last week and I must confess Nigeria is lucky to have people like you who still use their brain cells. The Lord be praised.'
'Hallelujah. So, where do we start from?' 'Let us start from the beginning. Praise the lord.'
'Hallelujah. So, what was on your mind when you invited her to the terrace of your hotel suite?'
'That's not the beginning. It all started when I saw her in the congregation while preaching one Sunday; she was very vibratory, especially when taken over by the spirit doing praise and worship. Praise the lord. The spirit ministered to me that she would be useful in Pastoral Care. That was why I invited her to the unit. And she was very useful. Praise the lord.'
'Hallelujah. By 'very useful' you are talking about your affair with her, right?'
'No, we didn't have an affair; we had an understanding. Praise the lord.
'Really? Explain to me how that works, sir.'
'Praise the lord. She understood that I am a Man of God with a weakness. I understood that she was a believer with an equal weakness. She understood that I was a married man; I understood that she was a willing woman. She understood that I could make her no promises of forevermore; I understood that she understood that by associating with me I would introduce her to a level of grace she was previously unaware of.'
'Is this also the kind of understanding you had with others that led to your suspension in Ilorin and the 130 women you have slept with?'
'Lie! Big lie! One hundred and thirty?!!! Haba, how could one man have done that, even with a never seen before level of grace? They just want to give my dog a bad name just to hang it. 120, I may accept, but 130? Never. When it is not as if I have a spare mobile penis that I charge with car charger. People should fear God when saying some things o. Praise the lord.' 'Let's return to her story. So, what were your intentions when you invited her to your hotel suite?'
'Special deliverance, I swear. God sees my heart. I had heard some uncomplimentary stuff about her and had caught her looking at me somehow during Pastoral Care Unit meetings, so I knew I had to intercede for her to retain God's glory in her life. Praise the lord. Even when I asked her to come to the terrace it was so we could get cool breeze during the deliverance. All was well until she sat on my laps.'
'What happened when she sat on your laps after you invited her to do so?'
'My weakness arose. And when we kissedmy brother, do you eat seedless grapes? That's what her tongue tasted like, soft and succulent. What was I to do? You people don't know
how hard it is to pastor a Pentecostal church in Nigeria, especially in this Abuja! You are there teaching the word of God and what do you have before you? Gorgeous women with sly smiles; with breasts, big and small, chiseled upon their chests like those old wood carvings; lips like cherries; eyes speaking to your soul, telling you their desires. Ah, until you have walked in my shoes you are not qualified to judge me. Praise the lord.' 'Is it true you had sex with her everyday for seven days?'
'Zachariah 10. It's a level of grace you can't understand.'
Ask the Lord for rain in the spring for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture.' 'You know your bible. Praise the lord.' 'Hallelujah. And what styles and positions were employed?'
'One does not talk about such things but suffice to say we were quite experimental, you know, those things one doesn't ask from a wife. Praise the lord.' ' So I'm free to assume missionary wasn't top of the list?' 'God forbid. Praise the lord. In fact, it was because of experimentation that we had our first quarrel.'
'Really? What happened?'
'She wanted me to use my silk ties to tie one of her legs to the door knob and the other to the windowI thought that was too much of a spread so I declined and she took offence. It was during round 4 on Day 7. Praise the lord.' 'You know sir, each time you say 'Praise the lord', what I hear is Praise the Rod. It seems to me that you spend more time doing the rod's work than you do doing the lord's work.'
'Who died and made you judge? Don't make proclamation about me if you don't want the wrath of God. I'm a man of God, remember? Praise the lord.'
'Is this also why you've refused to explain yourself to your congregation?' 'They don't need any explanation. They know me.
'We would have to end this interview on this note sir. Thanks again for your time.By the way, I don't know your middle name?'
'It's Roderick.' 'Say what?' 'Roderick.'
'RODerick? Perfect. 'Praise the Lord.'
Story by Chris Ihidero/Netn Source:onlinenigeria.com
Young Poet Speaks On His Art And The African Dream September 2013
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Cont from page 28
once talked about the beggar's plight which moved the poet after he found out that the beggar was actually a degree holder from the University of Cape Coast, one of the leading universities in Ghana. Clifford said he wrote the poem after he run into the beggar in a slow moving vehicular traffic and noticed the fortunes of his lame friend had turned around as he was now driving a sleek car. 'That poem about this disabled friend of mine really carried me on to higher heights in poetry because I delved deep into myself to write it'.
Another poem that was published on WRR is You Remain My President. This poem was a tribute to the late President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana. The Poem received so much sympathy from poets across Africa. More of Clifford's works have been published by WRR. A Girl For Women however caught the attention of eyes outside Africa. This was a poem written in honor of Dadae Anderson, a women Empowerment Activist from Liberia by Clifford and published by the UK Poetry Library. There are a lot more works in publication by Clifford and more to follow as his poetic juices keeps flowing tastefully. Poetry aside, this Pan Africanist has also founded Builders of the African Dream to bring together young Africans who are committed to the noble processes of African emancipation and Renaissance. This organization works with foundations across the continent in humanitarian projects. They have partners in Ghana, Uganda, Liberia and Kenya. Builders of the African Dream is organizing a peace summit and walk in Kenya from September 1721, 2013 as part of applauding the peace in Kenya. In an advice to up and coming young poets across Africa and the world, Oppong Clifford Benjamin says all must keep on writing with no or very little expectation of making money out of poetry because he believes 'poetry is best written not by the hand or mind but the heart, so excellence will meet you only when you love doing poetry without expecting a reward'. In connection with the African Dream, the young poet says the African youth must prepare their minds and hearts to work hard for a better Africa by harnessing the power of knowledge and learning from their history and pride as Africans. 'Africa will be for African’s only when Unity marries Unification'--Oppong Clifford Benjamin.
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September 2013
Want God To Bless Me With The Right Man And A Good Family’ Genevieve Nnaji Confesses Where do you want to ogennyr hope to be in the next 10 years? In the next 10 years, I know I will be married with kids. But I think it all depends on what God has fashioned out for me. I know I will still be in the entertainment industry or the fashion world or whatever.
Long before super stardom beckoned, I had this innocent but interesting interview with Genevieve Ifunanya Nnaji. I must, however, confess that I stumbled on the tape again only days back, and while wading through my archives. I’ve transcribed and extracted some of her candid thoughts which she shared with me. Particularly those I consider to still be relevant.
Born on May 3, 1979 into the family of Benedatte and Theophilus Nnaji, Genny, like I enjoy addressing her, hails from Umuebi – Amuzu in Aboh-Mbaise, Imo State. The fourth of her parents’ eight children, she attended Kemstar Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos; Methodist Girls High School, Lagos and Girls Secondary School, Akwakuma, Owerri, Imo State. Dazzling and delectable, sumptuous and sexy, sweet and svelte, she is unarguably and indisputably the reigning pride of Africa in the make-believe world.
One of our biggest and richest, the single mother of one (Lily) who has in her kitty some of the most coveted award trophies and to her credit some of the most lucrative endorsement deals poured it all out to AZUH ARINZE. Trust me; you will definitely enjoy this…
What do you like most about stardom because it appears you don’t want to tell us about your love life? The fact that it opens doors for you is what I like most about it. You walk into a place and every other person is queuing up for one thing or the other, they just start to recognize you. Oh! come in, come in…It’s actually a door opener for us or for me. It has brought respect, especially when you do what you are doing well. What I hate most about it is the price that we get to pay for stardom – negative publicity, the untrue scandals; actually, the only thing I hate about it is the bad press.
What will you say is the worst story ever written about you in the press? So many bad things. But the one I hated most was the one of Fred Amata and I, which I don’t know where they got it from. It hurt me so much. It was not just fair.
How do you feel anytime you read negative things about your person in the media? Certainly, I don’t feel good--
What if the stories are true, but maybe you were not expecting it to be published? It’s rarely been the truth. Maybe a bit of it, but that’s not how it happened. The press never tells the story the way it is. It’s usually a bit from here and a bit from there. For a very long time, they have not written anything true about me…
How did you come into the movie industry? I have been acting since I was eight in How does it feel to have risen this far within so Ripples. That was how I got into acting. short a time? For movies, I think that should be 1998 in (Smiles) I’m trying to handle it as much as I Most Wanted. I met Torino (Emeka can. It feels fulfilling. I feel I’m having the best Ojukwu) in a bus and to my greatest surof my time. I feel the Lord is with me. I feel I have been able to make an impact on people and prise, he recognized me, from Ripples, when I was about eight, nine. He asked I have a lot of fans and I’m enjoying my life. It why I left the industry. He later invited me feels good. to this audition – Most Wanted. I got a role, a ‘waka-pass’ and that was it. To what or whom do you owe all that? God’s gift, talent, determination, pride… But the story we heard was that Kunle What do you mean by pride? They say it goes Coker brought you in and that both of you before a fall. And now you are saying it is even dated? responsible for your success? Yes, Kunle Coker was actually my boyfriend. But he did not bring me into the You have to have pride to be able to stand the crowd, you have to have pride to be able to stand industry. They said he was heartbroken when you the intimidation and arrogance of people. Especially people who feel you have to pay dues deserted him. What led to the collapse of your relationship? to get to where you are going. You have to have Well, relationships come and go. the pride and stamina to tell them boldly you
know what you are doing; they didn’t bring you to the industry, you will leave when you want to and you leave because you want to.
Is it true that you dumped him for Fred Amata? Fred Amata? I’ve never had anything to do with Fred Amata. In Ripples, I used to
call Fred Amata uncle. So, I don’t see the reason why I should date Fred Amata. Fred Amata and I are just friends. I don’t have anything to do with him.
Are you now saying that apart from Kunle Coker, you have not dated any other person in the industry? I will not say that and I will not say anything on the contrary either. I don’t think it is your business. It’s my personal life.
What do you find most attractive in a man? The fact that a man will take me for who I am, not for what he hears or what he believes. I like people who take me for the me they see. That’s the most important thing. And have regard for me. And trust too.
What do you think is the biggest mistake that men make with women? Everyone makes mistakes. But to me, I will not tolerate any man who hits women. To me, that’s evil.
Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe in infatuation at first sight. Love is a very strong feeling. It does not just come. People think infatuation is being in love. They are two different things. You don’t know anything yet until you get to meet the person and you begin to fall in love. Not just physically, but externally with the person.
Can you recollect the first time you fell in love? Yes!
Tell us about it. I think we met at a show. This was when I was in secondary school and we shared a lot of things in common – singing. It was a case of two compatible people who were so much in love with each other and… (Interruption) So, what eventually happened? Like I said, relationships must come and go. You can’t help everything that happens. Some things just happen for no reason.
What’s your definition of love? Love has to be understanding, caring. Love, to me, is being with somebody for 24 hours without being bored. Love is catching your breath every time you see whoever you are in love with. Love is friendship, love is understanding and love is trust.
Do you believe in being faithful in a relationship? Yeah! I’m very faithful. Can you date a fan?
I’ve never dated a fan. And I don’t know if I can. But people come around to toast as per fans. But it’s a matter of nicely telling them off. There are different reasons why fans like or love artistes. So, it actually depends on why my fan loves me. It depends. Althogenevieve1[1]ugh, I don’t think it is advisable to date a fan. The reason being that people are in love with what they see on the screen, not the real you.
What’s your idea of a sensual treat? Quiet time in a place surrounded by nature, water, trees…less talk, more of feelings, let the feelings show instead. What part of a man’s body do you like most? What kind of questions are these?
Must I answer that?
Okay, a man’s chest, from the belly up.
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What part of your own body do you like most? I guess it’s my eyes. I think I like my eyes. What’s your greatest wish? That God continues to bless me. Especially with the right man and a good family.
It’s like you are too eager to get married? No, no, no. The thing is just that there comes a time in your life where everything is going fine. And all you say to yourself is after this, what next? After everything, you have to get married as far as you are a woman. What’s your favourite colour? Blue.
What are your hobbies? Singing, dancing…
Let’s have your bio-data. People don’t seem to know much about you? I’m from Aboh-Mbaise in Imo State. I went to Kemistar Nursery and Primary School, Surulere; Methodist Girls High School, followed by one in Ikeja. I kept on moving. But ended up at Girls Secondary School, Akwakuma in Owerri, Imo State.
Why have you not furthered your education? Life is not the same for everybody. Some people are so lucky, they come out of secondary school and they go straight to university because they have the back-up of people and it’s so easy. It looks simple…mine was different. But I’m determined. Definitely, I’m gonna go back to school. I wanted to make money, I love my money, I cherish my own money. So, I will go back when I’ve made enough. But even while I’m there, I won’t stop working. Tell us about your parents, what do they do? My parents are there. My mum is a teacher and my dad is retired.
What was your dad into before his retirement?
He was a bank manager with African Continental Bank (ACB)…I’m the fourth of eight children, the third girl. We are four girls, four boys. I come from a very strong Christian family. And I think that has been able to have an effect on my life, especially since I came into the industry. You see, even when people go out to say all sorts, my mother knows the kind of daughter she has. She knows the limit that I can go. She must have been devastated when you took in, in your teens?
Well, well…I think so.
What was your childhood like? My childhood was fun. It was fun. You don’t get to get all that these days. What’s the greatest complement that has ever come your way? My complexion. Courtesy: AZUH ARINZE
Afrikan
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Africa Society Appoints Actor Michael Nouri As “Teach Africa” Ambassador
“I took part in a Teach Africa program at UCLA several years ago,” Nouri said, “and it became clear how little Americans know about Africa. Can you imagine being ignorant about an entire continent with 55 countries and over a billion people? We have to know more, it is in our collective best interest. How can we expect the next generation of leaders to understand their counterparts in foreign lands if they know nothing about their countries, cultures or commonalities? We have a President whose father is from Kenya. My father came from Iraq. In the melting pot that is the United States, learning about one another is vitally important,” Nouri added.
Photo Courtesy Wikipedia
The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa Washington, DC August 22, 2012
Noah Samara, board chairman of The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, today announced the appointment of veteran actor, Michael Nouri, as the Ambassador for the Washington-based organization and their “Teach Africa” program. “Teach Africa” is an educational initiative for administrators, teachers and youth that addresses the response to the lack of Africa education in America’s classrooms and we’re honored to have Mr. Nouri as our new ambassador,” Mr. Samara said.
Nouri is a film, television and stage actor who has starred in a series of films including, “Flashdance”, “The Terminal”, “Finding Forrester”, “The Proposal” and others and starred in recurring roles in the highly rated television series, “NCIS”, “Damages” and “The O.C.” Nouri will soon be seen in the feature film, “The List” for director Harris Goldberg” and has just signed with producer-actress Anne Archer and writer-director Terry Jastrow for their feature film, “The Squeeze” which will start production in September. Nouri has worked extensively with young people, fostering understanding and promoting exposure to those whose countries are in conflict. He has been involved in the Palestinian-Israeli Peace Camp and has been active in using film to influence cooperation and collaboration.
“I’m extremely humbled and pleased to be honored with this appointment by The Africa Society,” Nouri said, “ because I believe in order to participate in the increasingly globalized world and overcome its immense challenges, today’s youth must receive exposure to and information about the varied cultures of the international community. Only then can we have a chance to coexist peacefully,” he said.
The mission of The Africa Society is to be the premier entity that engages and educates Americans about the countries comprising the continent of Africa and to create, through partnerships, a better understanding of its peoples, diverse cultures, histories and economies. Its programs, some of which have been in collaboration the Department of State, the Library of Congress, universities and media entities, such as the Travel Channel, have had a global impact – reaching over 700 million people worldwide.
To date Teach Africa has oriented 1,400 superintendants and principals, trained over 1,700 teachers, and provided Africa educational programs for over 10,000 students. It is the goal of The Africa Society to implement “Teach Africa” in every major city across the United States.
Forbes Top 10 Richest African Artistes September 2013
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Ghanaian rapper and multiple-award winner, Sarkodie, has placed eighth in the 2013 list of Top 10 Richest/ Bankable African Artistes compiled by Forbes and Channel O.
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The ranking is based on artiste Sales, Social -Media presence, endorsement value, YouTube views, show rates , Influence, appearance in newspapers, investments, popularity and other factors.
The list is dominated by Nigerians and leading the pack is Don Jazzy, but at the No.1 position is Akon.
Below is the full list:
(1) Akon– Senegalese-American top the list - Founder of Konvict Music, gave bigger platforms to other African artistes such as P-Square and Wizkid .
(2) Don Jazzy– Ranks as Best African and Nigeria Music Producer. CEO of Marvin Records, Samsung, Loya Milk and MTN as Brand Ambassador, Influential producer. He has produced Songs for D’Banj, Kanye West, Beyonce and American Rap Mogul Jay Z.
(3) P-Square– Ranked as Best African Music Group. Featured on Forbes Magazine for Africa twice, sold out concert, and presidential guest in at least 5 African countries. They also fly a private jet.
(4) D’banj– CEO of DB Records, Music Artiste. International music brand, GOOD Music, Def Jam, Mercury deal, Sony Entertainment Music distribution deal.
(5) Wizkid– Music Artiste. EME artiste, Starboy CEO, affiliation with Disturbing London, international collaboration with Wale and others, perform twice on stage with American Pop Singer Chris Brown, and he is the highest paid Pepsi ambassador in Africa. He is also an ambassador for MTN.
(6) 2Face Idibia– Music Artiste. Produces 10 million discs and has at least 7 million digital sale. He is a UN Ambassador for Youth and Peace, associated with Guinness, Haven Homes, Airtel Worldwide and philanthropist – Tuface Idibia Foundation.
(7) Anselmo Ralph– Music Artiste, Samsung and Coca Cola Ambassador. Known as the 'Angolan Prince', he owns a perfume line, clothing label, a multimillion dollar tour bus, and he is a Sony Music African artiste.
(8) Sarkodie– Ghanaian Rapper. Presidential youth ambassador in Ghana, owns Sark clothing, and he is a Samsung and Fan Milk ambassador in Ghana.
(9) Ice Prince– Music Artiste. Multiple award winning rapper, Has received six million downloads, owns two studios, One Foundation member, Plug N Play Ambassador, Zamani Foundation. (10) Banky W– Music Artiste. Co owner EME, Samsung Ambassador, Philanthropist, multiple award R&B and Soul winner.
Afrikan Post
Actress Turned Musician to Launch Gospel Album
September
Shot and produced in Virginia titled “Benji Move on-God got you covered”
She opened up her life to be used by God and co founded the Asomafo Group with Ebenezer Ayiri Osae . She has since unearthed her real talent in singing. She is part of the praise and worship team at the Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Maryland as well as perform occasionally at the Divine Word Ministry in Springfield , Virginia. When she met the Afrikan Post reported she had this to say “I started singing at a tender age in the church choir, and later doing solos at churches. Music has always been a part of me, it’s in-built and the only set time is now. After a series of revelations during and after various preaching, coupled with past and present situation, I received my inspiration to do music.” The album lauching event will be held on September 28, in Hyattsville , Maryland. Afrikan Post wishes Esther well.
Esther Afua Yirenkyi
The emergence of popular video industries in Ghana and Nigeria represents the most important and exciting development in Africa. Before the advent of production of home videos in the Ghana in the early 90’s actors and actresses could best exhibit their talents through stage productions. After graduating from the Snaps College of Accountancy and Secretarial studies in Accra , Esther Afua Yirenkyi proceeded to the Accra polytechnic to pursue a diploma in Accounting. After graduating She discovered her passion when One Captain Nkrabea Effah –Dartey , a legal luminary, retired Soldier, former member of Parliament and A Scene from the concluding part of the Yaa former Presidential candidate recruited her into his group , Asantewaa Series when Yaa Asantewaa the Theatre Mirrors. After seven years of doing stage promarried fellow househelp “Wakye” ductions with the Theatre Mirrors Esther was tapped to play a role in a television series “Kejetia Series” and her tenacity earned her another role in “Small World” on television. Esther Afua Yirenkyi , a native of Akwapim, Adukrom in the Eastern region of Ghana is the first of five siblings, three brothers and a sister. She is blessed with a beautiful daughter named Tyra Ama Nyame. When Esther completed her studies at the Polytechnic she worked as a private secretary in Plange's Construction in Accra and later joined the North Ridge Hotel as a secretary. To her acting came to her as a natural thing. She had the opportunity of performing with many groups at the National Theatre and one day caught the eye of a movie producer by the name Harry Laud. Harry Laud made use of her by featuring her in the Yaa Asantewaa Series. There were six parts in the Yaa Asantewaa series and Esther played the role of a house help alongside Prince Yawson known in show business as “Waakye.” It was the Yaa Asantewa series that Shot Esther to fame. Yaa Asantewaa became a household name in Ghana. She nailed the role very well that she got another role in Harry Laud’s next production titled “Who killed Okomfo Anokye” Esther dressed in Military attire in the Yaa Asantewaa Series Esther’s name disappeared from the radar of movie producers when she migrated to the United States . In 2011 she played a role in the movie
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25-Year-Old Nigerian Invents Electricity Generating Football
September 2013
Afrikan Post
Jessica Mathew, a 25-year-old Nigerian, from Edo State, yesterday presented an electricity generating football and skipping rope she invented to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.
The presentation earned Jessica an appointment as a soccer ambassador. The soccer ball, as demonstrated by Jessica, could generate three hours of electricity after 30 minutes of play and could store power for three days.
Veteran Nollywood Actor Pastor Kanayo Gets Political Post
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, aka KOK, has been appointed the Chairman of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHTS). All seemed to be going well with his new found life as a pastor until a couple of days ago when he announced a new political appointment he received to chair the On why she chose to use the football, She Nigerian Tourism Industry as it’s board chairman, said, "to me, we all know that football is the essentially quitting his pastoral role for main stream most popular thing in the world. To most peo- politics. ple, a football form is the most convenient. The thespian was among those who made the list of Any man on the street will be attracted to newly appointed chairmen and members of the govkicking a football. So, the idea is to put some- erning boards of 42 Federal Government agencies and thing that people really love and get more out parastatals. of it. anyone who has not been affected? For me I was raised to seek a solution when there is a problem, to be as creative as I can be and open to different ideas so I can address any situation," she said.
She said, the electricity generated by the ball could be used as electricity source to power lighting points and household equipments, adding that the airless football when not in use, Trade and Investment Minister, Olusegun could last for one-and-half years before Aganga said Jessica's innovation which has replacement. been accepted and already in use in the US would be affordable when mass produced and Jessica, a graduate of Psychology and introduced into the Nigerian market. Economics from Havard University, United States, said she taught herself Electrical and Mechanical Engineering because she was Source:onlinenigeria.com keenly interested in it.
"I am a Nigerian and was at my Aunt's wedding when electrical power went off. Is there
Nigeria: Angela Okorie’s Waiting for God’s Calling
The appointments were announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim.
KOK, as he is fondly called, had been romancing President Jonathan's administration before his appointment. He has been one of the major liaisons between the Federal Government and Nollywood.
Acknowledging the appointment, KOK, real name Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, took to his Twitter account to tweet it, ‘Thank you, Lord for this responsibility! Like Solomon, I plead for your wisdom.’
Angela debuted in Nollywood in 2009, after she starring in “Holy Serpent.” Since then, the actress has not looked back, starring in over fifty movies.
Apart from working for God, Angela said, she has a plan to go into movie production, as well as set up a foundation where the less-privileged children can be catered for. “I will go into producing movies. I also want to set up a foundation where motherless babies can be catered for. I want to go into a lot of positive things.
Some of the movies she acted in, include, “Sincerity” which was her first film, “Maidens”, “Heart of a Widow”, “War in the Palace”, “Girls in the Mood”, “Girls on Point”, “Stolen Desire”, “Soul Mate”, “End of Soul Mate” among others. Ex-Delta Soap model and actress, Angela Okorie who reportedly said, everything about her is sexy, is now dreaming of winning souls for God.
In a recent chat with newsmen, the Ebonyi State born actress and mother of one declared, “I know I have a calling to work for God. It might come to pass soon but I don’t know when. My aim in life is to touch souls one way or the other because it’s important I leave my foot prints in every life I meet.”
Source:tcjonline.com
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The actor-turned full time pastor is now a politician. Congrats to him! With this appointment, KOK, 51, joins actors like RMD, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Hilda Dokubo and Nkiru Sylvanus who have at one time or another taken up political appointments. Source: nigeriafilms.com
Two Men Agree To Share 'Wife'
Two Kenyan men have signed an agreement him. We agree to love each other and live peacefully. No-one has forced us to make to "marry" the same woman, reports say. this agreement," it adds. The woman had been having affairs with Mr Mwenda said her parents had given their both men for more than four years and apparently refused to choose between them. blessing, while he is planning to pay the bride price. The agreement sets out a rota for Sylvester Mwendwa and Elijah Kimani to stay in her The woman, a widow with two children, did not want to be named. house and states they will both help raise any children she bears. Kenyan family lawyer Judy Thongori told the Daily Nation that the law does not Lawyers said their "marriage" would be explicitly forbid polyandry - a woman havlegally recognised if they could prove ing more than one husband. polyandry was part of their custom. "The laws we have do not talk about it but for such a union to be recognised in Kenya, it has to be either under the statutory law or Mr Mwendwa and Mr Kimani drafted the agreement after realising they had both been as customary marriage. The question we should ask now is whether these people having an affair with the woman in Mombasa County for more than four years, come from communities that have been practising polyandry," she is quoted as saythe local Daily Nation newspaper reports. ing. Community policing officer Adhalah Polygamous marriages often take place in Abdulrahman persuaded the two men to marry the woman after he saw them fight- Kenya, but wife-sharing is unheard of, correspondents say. ing over her, it reports. 'Jealousy'
"We have agreed that from today we will not threaten or have jealous feelings because of our wife, who says she's not ready to let go of any of us," the agreement says, Kenya's NTV station reports. "Each one will respect the day set aside for
Source: BBC
Afrikan Post
September 2013
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Moscow 2013 - Historical 200m for Africa! Ahouré and Okagbare On the Podium
Michael Essien’s Father Passes Away
September 2013
Afrikan Post
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Pu b lis h ed By Brigh t Ho u s e Prod u ct io n s Man agin g Ed it or G eorge Br ight- A bu Email:editor @af r ikanpos t.com A gn es Ow u s u - Brigh t CEO
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien lost his father, James, a few days to the crucial Ghana – Zambia 2014 World Cup qualifying game in Kumasi.
vorian sprinter Murielle Ahouré won silver medals in the women's 100m and 200m finals at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.
These 2013 World Athletics are full of surprise. For the first time in the history of the sprint, two Africans on the podium. Murielle Ahouré wrote again Ivorian sports history by winning one second medal within five days. After her beautiful silver charm in the 100m, Ahouré recurred on Friday the 200m.
She arrived second in the race (22s 32) behind the untouchable Jamaican Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce disconcerting of ease in 22.17. This realized therefore a doubled after having dominated the 100m.
32 22s, it is also the time of Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare who ranked third. All against the backdrop of the serious injury of the other favorite of the race, the American Allyson Felix. She collapses just 40m after the kickoff. Second medal also for Okagbare therefore, already vice-world champion in the long jump. By Moutakilou Mumuni
The Chelsea midfielder arrived in Ghana on Sunday evening to the sad news and confirmed it via Twitter. “It’s hard to take but God knows best. Thanks a lot for the support and well wishes. R.I.P Father!!!!,” the 30-year-old player who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid tweeted. Moments after that tweet, the official Twitter handle of Chelsea also added: “Everybody at Chelsea FC is saddened to hear of the passing of Michael Essien's dad. Our thoughts are with him.”
Essien is part of a 26-man squad called up by Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah for the Zambia game as well as an international friendly against Japan on September 10.
He becomes the latest Ghana player to lose a loved one after William Amamoo, John Boye, Asamoah Gyan, Isaac Vorsah and Anthony Annan. Source:ghanaweb.com
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