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AFRICA

Our Gr ea t est Glory is n ot in n e v e r f a ll i ng b ut i n risin g every time we f a l l .

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Di s c lai mer : T h e opi ni o n s expressed in ar t i c l e s a n d s to r i es i n t hi s New spaper are tho se o f t h e a ut ho r s a n d do n ot n ecessa ri l y r e f le ct t he vi ews of A frikan Pos t . Al l C o m ments a nd su ggestion s are we l c o m e

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D E PA R T M E N T S Vol. 3 Issue 4

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT AMA .K. ABREBRESE WINS BEST ACTRESS AT THE 2011 AFRICAN MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS pg. 35 UPDATE

African Migrants Abandon The American Dream

Together with its adjacent islands, the continent covers approximately 30,330,000sq km (11,699,900sq mi).

Africa stretches 8,050km (4,970mi) from its northernmost point, Cape Blanc (Ra's al Abyad) in Tunisia, to its southernmost tip, Cape Agulhas in South Africa. The maximum width of the continent, measured from the tip of Cape Vert in Senegal, in the west, to Raas Xaafuun (Ras Hafun) in Somalia, in the east, is about 7,560km (4,700mi). The highest point on the continent is perpetually snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m/19,340ft) in Tanzania; the lowest is Lake Assal (153m/502ft below sea level) in Djibouti. Africa's coastline, characterized by few indentations has a total length of about 30,490km (18,950mi).

Altogether the continent has fifty-four sovereign nations, (entirely different from fifty-four states), and over one thousand languages and dialects. The population of the continent is estimated to be eight hundred million - almost three times the population of the United States. Because of its contributions to what is now know as modern civilization, this great continent is still referred to as the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of humanity, thousands of years after that era.

Indeed everything about the resilience and creativity of the people, the picturesque landscape and the endless The main islands associated with Africa; with a combined opportunities in tourism, commerce and art make it a must see continent in this twenty first century. area of 621,600sq km (240,000 sq mi) are Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pemba, Mauritius, Reunion, the Seychelles and Source:AMIPNEWS.ORG the Comoro Islands in the Indian Ocean; Sao Tome,

Upcoming Events in Africa # Apr 13 Madagascar - National Assembly # Apr 27 South Africa Independence Day Elections (1960)

Pg. 6 HEALTH ISSUES IRC Says 10 Million Might Die of Tuberculosis by 2015 pg. 13

# Apr 17 Benin - Parliamentary Elections

# Apr 27 Togo Independence Day (1960)

# Apr 18 Zimbabwe Independence Day (1980)

# May 8 Chad - Presidential Elections # May 24 Eritrea Independence Day (1952)

HER PAGE

When God is Not Enough: The Tragedy of Rachel pg. 20

SPORTS

Top Ten: Anglo-African football showdowns pg. 39

McDonald's South Africa chain bought by Cyril Ramaphosa Pg. 11

Principe and Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea; St Helena, Ascension and the Bijagos Islands in the Atlantic; and the Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands, and the Madeira islands in the North Atlantic. Although considered geographically part Africa, St Helena, Ascension, the Bijagos Islands, the Canary Islands, and the Madeira Islands have very little, if any, economic, political or cultural links with the continent. Their ties are rather with western Europe: St Helena, and Ascension are dependencies of the United Kingdom; the Canary and Madeira islands are an integral part of metropolitan Spain and Portugal respectively.

About Africa Africa is not a country; it is the second largest of the earth's seven continents covering approximately twentythree percent of the world's total land area and containing almost thirteen percent of the world's population. The continent straddles the equator and most of its area lies within the tropics. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the Indian Ocean and Red Sea on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea on the north. In the northeastern corner of the continent, Africa is connected to Asia by the Sinai Peninsula.

# Apr 27 Sierre Leone Independence Day (1961)

# Jun 1 Madagascar - Presidential Elections

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Apostle Samuel K. Arthur - Church of Pentecost New York Regional Head & Convener of "The Root of David Easter Convention" Speaks About the Church & Upcoming Easter Convention

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison Following the long standing tradition of the Church, the New York region of the Church of Pentecost USA, Inc. will hold its annual Easter Convention from April 22-24, 2011 at the Connecticut Convention Center located at 100 Columbus Blvd.

Hartford, Connecticut. Pastor Peter Willie will host the event while Apostle Dr. Emmanuel A. Owusu (National Head) and Apostle Samuel K. Arthur (Regional Head) are the main speaker and convener respectively. The theme for this year's convention is "The Root of David Has Conquered" and it is based on Revelations Chapter 5 verse 5.

"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." - King James Version "It is my expectation that many people will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and be delivered from various bondages during this convention" - Apostle Samuel Arthur Apostle Arthur presides over the New York region which comprises New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware and PIWC. The New York district consists of four assemblies - New York Central (Bronx), Buffalo, Albany, Yonkers and Bethel. He is pastor of the Church in Bronx, the biggest assembly in the entire nation with close to 900 members, and offering multiple services in English and Akan. His vision and goals for his district and members are simple and conform to the Word of God. "My goal is to feed the flock and enrich the lives of members so that they are better of spiritually and physically. We preach a simple four-pronged message - Jesus Christ who died, resurrected, ascended and will return again - in line with the teachings of the Bible, especially the Great Commission in Mathew 28."

Apostle Arthur became Regional Head in 2007 and hopes to establish new regions and districts during his tenure. He stresses the importance of a dedicated walk with Jesus Christ in advance of his certain return.

The Church of Pentecost USA, Inc. is an off-shoot of the Church of Pentecost Ghana. Approximately 25 years ago, seven members from Ghana met in New York and decided to start a Pentecost church similar to the one they attended in Ghana. From New York which is now home to the National Office the church has spread to every major city in the United States and has thousands of members across the nation.

Information about the convention can be obtained by calling either of the following phone numbers.

860.216.1919 - 508.723.2278 - 718.515.5366

Source: AMIP News, Washington, DC

Apostle Samuel K. Arthur and his wife

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April

African Migrants Abandon The American Dream America has been inundated with requests from expatriates who have lost their jobs, are facing homelessness, and who want financial help to return home.

Dame Sy, a volunteer with the association, says members donate money to buy aeroplane tickets to send home Senegalese who are down on their luck in New York.

“We just sent one home in January and before that we sent between 12 and 15 last year,” Sammy Maina says the ten years he spent in the explains Mr Sy. “Everyday, people are talking US would have been more profitable at home in about it.”

At the association’s offices in the “Little Africa Senegal” section of Harlem, in New York, I The American dream is not all it is cut out to was introduced to a 41-year-old illegal immibe and some Africans are turning their backs on life in the US.

But migration expert Kathleen Newland, a director of the Migration Policy Institute in Washington DC, says what Ms Onyango and other Africans resident in the US are doing when they return to Africa, is not reverse migration.

Ms Newland says this is better described as “the formation of transnational populations” – people who keep a foot on two continents.

“I think you are very unlikely to find Africans who have settled in the US giving up the insurance policy of a green card or US citizenship to completely transfer their lives back to Africa,” Ms Newland says.

What transnational people like Ms Onyango will do, she adds, is divide their lives between two places.

Frustrated by tough economic times in the United States, Sammy Maina is packed, ready and waiting to return to Kenya.

“I’m fed up and finished with the US,” declares Mr Maina, 33, owner of a prepaid calling card firm, Myaatel, and a money transfer company, Doubles Xpress, that caters for African immigrants.

But with money scarce because of the recession, fewer and fewer immigrants can afford to purchase his international phone cards or pay to use his money transfer services.

“People here don’t have money any more,” complains Mr Maina, who says the “American Dream” of a big house, flashy car and piles of money was unrealistic.

Instead he found long hours, little pay and limited joy.

Life in America is so demanding, says Mr Maina, that it has cost several of his African friends their marriages and even led some to commit suicide.

“It is very difficult right now and so many people are packing and going back to Kenya in big, big numbers.”

‘Little Senegal’ There are an estimated one million Africans in the US.

money in the US. Now that the Kenyan constitution has been amended to allow dual citizenship, Ms Onyango says she can go home and not worry that should she need to return to the US one day, she will be stopped.

“Believe me,” she says, “the next plane that goes to Jomo Kenyatta airport will have me on it.”

"Africans in the US will leave in record numbers." predicts Pastor Shadrach Deline

grant called Ndoum.

She has been having a very difficult time in the US, she says, and would happily go home to Dakar if she could find the money for a plane ticket.

Before the recession it was possible for an undocumented immigrant like her to find a menial job in a factory. Unable now to find work, and in constant fear of being seized by immigration police, Ndoum does not know what to do.

“I tell people: ‘Don’t come to the US now’,” she says tearfully.

According to the homeland security depart- ‘Sweet Liberia’ ment, 130,000 Africans migrate legally to the Kenyan Irene Onyango is a 37-year-old nurse US each year. living in Delaware, near Washington DC. Her income sometimes barely covers her bills. She It is impossible to say how many returnees is also concerned that working a 16-hour day there are, as the evidence is anecdotal but is damaging her health. representatives of African community associations in New York, Atlanta and Boston all "Africans in the US will leave in record numsay they know of large numbers of expatribers." predicts pastor Shadrach Deline ates making plans to leave the US. When she goes to Kenya on holiday, her The reason: they cannot find jobs and have friends refuse to let her pay for anything become desperate about their future here. because they say she has to slave to earn her New York’s Association of Senegalese in

“What it does tell us about Africa is there is a lot more hope and optimism about the economic prospects,” she says.

Liberian singer and pastor Shadrach Deline is one of several African expatriates in the US to recently release a song expressing a longing for Africa.

In Tomorrow I Am Going Home, Deline, a pastor of the Nation of Christ Believers’ Fellowship Center in Atlanta, Georgia, sings he has “sweated hard” in the US. Now it is time for him to “sell his house, sell his car, sell his boat” and go home to “sweet, sweet Liberia”.

In the video, Deline removes his Westernstyle three-piece suit and puts on an African robed garment.

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Egypt: Hosni

Mubarak to be quizzed over deaths

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been summoned by the state prosecutor for questioning over alleged corruption and killings of protesters.

The announcement came shortly after Mr Mubarak made his first statement since he was ousted two months ago, denying accusations of corruption.

The former leader said he had the right to defend his reputation and denied having any assets in foreign countries.

Mr Mubarak's sons Gamal and Alaa have been summoned for questioning as well.

The prosecutor-general said Mr Mubarak's statement, broadcast on alArabiya TV, would not affect the inquiry.

On Friday, Cairo's Tahrir Square once again filled with demonstrators calling for Mr Mubarak and his family to be tried for corruption.

At least one person was killed and dozens were injured when troops moved in to clear the square. The injured suffered gunshot wounds but the army denied using live rounds.

Protesters and anti-corruption campaigners have been pressing for an investigation into the Mubarak family's assets, put at anywhere from $1bn to $70bn (£616m-£43bn).

Correspondents say protesters have become impatient with the slow pace of change pursued by the army council which replaced Mr Mubarak after he stood down on 11 February.

Mr Mubarak resigned on 11 February after 18 days of anti-government protests in which at least 365 people died.

He fled to his villa in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh with his family.

Mr Mubarak, his sons and their wives have been banned from leaving the country and their assets have been frozen.

Deline says the song’s message resonates with African expatriates because no matter how comfortable an exile they enjoy, an African will always yearn for home.

“There will come a time,” he says “when Africans will not even bother coming to the US because life will be so beautiful back in Africa. There will be no need to ever leave.”

"I have been in great pain because of the unjust campaigns and untrue allegations targeting myself and my family," he said.

BBC

Mr Mubarak, 82, is believed to be in poor health, though his aides have denied this.

BBC News

"They aim to tarnish my reputation and discredit my integrity, my stance, my political and military history during which I worked hard for Egypt and its people in peace and war."

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Ambassador Ken Kanda Arrives in New York as Ghana’s New Permanent Representative to the UN culty would be selecting the African country, but even that the AU should be able to work out a formula.”

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison Immediate past Director of State Protocol and one of Ghana’s longest serving Foreign Service officials – Ken Kanda, has begun his work as Ghana’s newly appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations at Ghana’s Permanent Mission on 47th Street in New York City. Ambassador Ken Kanda comes as Ghana’s 13th diplomat to the international body since Ghana joined shortly after independence in 1957.

Having previously served as a diplomat at Ghana’s missions in Bonn, Copenhagen, Harare and Berlin during his 35 year career, President Atta Mills expressed great confidence in his capabilities during his swearing-in ceremony in Accra, shortly before his departure.

Last October Ghana’s Foreign Minister – Alhajhi Mohammad Mumuni called on the United Nations to consider having an African nation on the Security Council since many of the matters facing the United Nations involved African countries. Current permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ambassador Kanda is also optimistic that the African Union in conjunction with the United Nations and other world agencies will find a resolution to the crisis brewing in La Cote d’Ivoire and Libya. During the interview he pledged to make an effort to reach out to the Ghanaian Diaspora as much as possible to offer any help within his power. “I am a believer in the Ghanaian wherever he is; I will definitely find time to get deeply involved with the Ghanaian associations.”

Ambassador Kanda joined the Foreign Service as a young officer in 1976 and rose through the ranks to Chief of Protocol of the Ministry.

Before his last appointment as Director of Granting his first interview to AMIP News on his State Protocol, he was once Deputy Director very first day at work, Ambassador Kanda of State Protocol for then Vice President Atta expressed optimism about the presidency and the Mills. Earlier in his career he studied at state of Ghana’s democracy and economy. “…We Princeton University, United States as a are in the process of getting to the Promised Hubert Humphrey Fellow. The Ghanaian comLand. The main goal now is to improve the living munity in the United States welcomes standards of the people, lifting people out of the Ambassador Kanda and wishes him the best in quagmire of poverty,” using the words of his new role.

President Atta Mills. “The President has declared 2011 a year of action, meaning we will see visible The following have served as Ghana’s envoys signs of improvement in the form of infrastructure to the United Nations since 1957: – schools, hospitals, roads, etc.”

Mr. Daniel Chapman – (1957-1959); Dr. Alex To critics of the President and the current govern- Quaison-Sackey – (1959-1965); Mr. Fred ment, Ambassador Kanda explained that the Arkurt – (1965 -1967); Mr. Richard Akwei – President himself has assured Ghanaians that (1967 – 1972); Mr. Frank Boateng – (1972 – while he may seem slow, he is sure to deliver.

1979); Mr. Van H. Sekyi – (1979 – 1980); Mr. “…My government met a difficult financial situa- James V. Gbeho – (1980-1990); Dr. Kofi N. tion when we came into power but after two years Awoonor (1990 – 1994); Mr. George O. of planning Ghana’s is poised for growth. The Lamptey – (1994-1996); Mr. Jack B. Wilmot – unfortunate wave of crime that hit Ghana about (1996 – 1999); Nana Effah-Apenteng – (2000 three years ago has been contained and our first – 2007); Mr. Leslie K. Christian –(2007oil revenues have started coming in…”

2011).

Constitution Review Commission meets Ghanaians in Washington, DC. The Diaspora Consultation, in Washington, DC Metropolis, gave opportunity to the Ghanaian Community to discuss the operation of the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution, particularly its strengths, and weaknesses and to make submissions for possible amendments to the Constitution.

The first in the series of Diaspora Consultation in the US by the Constitution Review Commission (C.R.C) was held in the premises of the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Over a hundred Ghanaians, who were in attendance cuts across the leadership of Ghanaian Associations, Political Party Executives, Religious leaders and Responding to a question about the relevance of Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the UN and the the Business class. the United Nations in today’s world, the current Consulate General are located in the same composition of the Security Council and his building at 19 East 47th Street, New York, NY. Professor Fiadjoe, Chairman of the C. R.C led a five (5) member delegation from Ghana, comexpectations, Ambassador Kanda stated that the prising, Commissioner Gabriel Pwamang, Mr. relevance of the world body was as crucial today Rowland Atta-Kesson, Mr. Albert Agbamey and as when it was first established. “The UN is the best institution for the world, we need the UN. Posted by AMIP News Reform of any kind will be slow but eventually it (Info@afroimagetv.org) will take place. Pursuing Africa’s representation on the Security Council is worthwhile. The diffi-

Ms. Baaba Amoah to conduct the consultative process.

In her opening address, the Deputy Head of Mission, Mrs. Edith Haizel observed that, having operated the 1992 Constitution for nearly 18 years, it is time to take a second look at it. She reiterated that, a review of the Constitution will ensure that the Basic law, that governs the lives of Ghanaians, reflects the experiences, changing circumstances and changing aspirations of our people both at home and abroad.

The meeting which lasted well over four (4) hours received a lot of submissions from the enthusiastic Ghanaians who were present.

Source:www.ghanaembassy.org

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2011

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Sierra Leonean Atlanta community Hold Appreciation Awards Night Author: SEM Contributor

participants.

The Association of Sierra Leoneans in Georgia, USA held its first grand style and spectacular appreciation award night in College Park, Georgia, on April 2, 2011 in commemoration of the 50th Independence Day celebrations. It was indeed a remarkable show of solidarity and a sense of national unity of Sierra Leoneans living in Georgia.

Atlanta’s reputable community activist and Youth leader, Alpha Omar Jabbie chaired the banquet style event and called on every Sierra Leonean to help develop the country. He emphasized the need for national focus, the attitude of love for our country and why allegiance must be paid to Sierra Leone first and foremost before any political, tribal, regional or other affiliations.

The appreciation event was hosted and organized by the high powered Atlanta Award Committee members namely: Abdul Aziz Mansaray, Alusine Fofanah, Neneh Bengeh and Lionel Williams. The committee drew its nominees from various Sierra Leonean organizations, businesses, religious and professional institutions with the famous clarion call to service slogan: “we all can make a big difference.”

He commended the organizers and thanked the community attendees, while paying special tribute to those Sierra Leoneans in Atlanta who contributed to the social and economic welfare of the community in particular, and Sierra Leone in general.

The event marked a moment of patriotism with the singing of the national anthem, a cultural dance performed by Rakaba International, a solo performance by famed Sierra Leonean artist Bosco Banks and the display of the flamboyant green, white and blue national colors among hundreds of

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) presidential aspirant, Mohamed C. Bah was among the proud recipients who received an outstanding community service award for his contribution to the Atlanta community and the Sierra Leone Blind School at Wilkinson Road, Freetown. Other recipients included: Seek Ye First The Kingdom International Ministries, Sierra Leone Muslim Jamaat, Rakaba Institute of Arts, Mr. & Mrs. James Carew, Mr. & Mrs. Almany Wurie, Mr. & Mrs. Abdul Karim

Kamara, Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Nabie, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Coffie, Mr. Salifu Sapateh, Mr. & Mrs. Abdul-Rahman Kamara, Mr. & Mrs. Nat Dawonde, Mr. Augustine Smith, Mr. Aiah Pessima, Mr. Ron Jusu, Mr. Ade Thomas, Mr. Alpha Si Kanu, Mr. & Mr. Khalil Kargbo, Mr. & Mrs. Dapae Johnson, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Sannoh, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Goba, Mr. & Mrs. Bannister Koroma, Mr. & Mrs. Alusine Fofonah, Mr. & Mrs. Hassan Conteh, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Benga, Mr. & Mrs. Alpha Jabbie, Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Sanu, Mr. & Mrs. Unisa Kanu, Mr. & Mrs. M Bala Aziz Bah, Mrs. Mabel Stevens, Mr. Amadu Massally, Mr. Alfred Kanu, Mr. Martin Williams, Ms. Betty Songowa, Mr. Shaka Bangura, Mr. Abdul Rahmman Bangura, Mr. Abu Bakar Bangura, Mr. Foday Sesay, Mr. Mohamed Salim Kamara, Mr. Alex Sesay, Mr. Albert Sesay, Mr. Sal Sesay, Mr. Solomon Fornie, Fullah Progressive Union-Georgia and The Sierra Leonean Community Association.

The vote of thanks was given by Neneh Bengah and Aziz Manasary who both graciously acknowledged the Atlanta community’s huge support in commemorating the 50th Independence Anniversary and the appreciation of Sierra Leoneans who have made a big difference in the lives of others.

The event was sponsored by the Sierra Leonean Business Community: Cymill Motors, Inc, Lewis Medical Mobility Services, Jameson Catering, Jah International, M & M Beauty and Hair Braiding Salon, Flamingo Beauty and Hair Braiding Salon and Al’s Carpeting.

By Abdul Aziz Mansaray, Atlanta, USA

Sierra Leone @ 50

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Rosa Whitaker Honored McDonald's South Africa chain bought by Cyril with WoW Award Ramaphosa Washington, D.C. – March 21, 2011 WoW_2011

Rosa Whitaker was honored to have received Women of Wealth (WoW) Magazine’s “Award for Multilateral Trade Policy Initiatives for Africa” in recognition of her lifelong contributions to expanding U.S. trade with Africa and developing young female professionals. WoW, founded by Dr. Lei Lewis, takes aims at, “Changing the Face of Wealth through Mentoring, Empowerment and Philanthropy.”

The award was presented at WoW’s 2011 Global Summit, held March 18, 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ms. Whitaker and Dr. Lewis share a belief that mentoring relationships are the best way to increase the number of powerful, prepared women capable of making a difference in the world. At The Whitaker Group, where she is President and CEO, Ms. Whitaker has established a sum-

run the 145 McDonald's restaurants in South Africa.

McDonald's and Mr Ramaphosa did not say how much the deal is worth.

The former activist headed the African National Congress delegation which began talks with the apartheid regime leading to the end of minority rule in 1994.

He is now one of South Africa's richest businessmen.

mer internship program with Bennett College that identifies women with potential to join as young professionals.

Mr Ramaphosa was at one point seen as the man likely to succeed Nelson Mandela as president in 1999 but he instead entered the world of business.

Other 2011 WoW honorees included: First Lady Michelle Obama, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the WoW keynote speaker, Edie Fraser of Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson. Profiles of these women and more can be found in the 2011 Special Edition of WoW, “Nation’s Top 90 Mentoring Leaders.”

McDonald's opened its first South African restaurant in 1995.

Mali Prime Minister Resigns remainder of my mandate, and I am certain it will benefit from the accomplishments of your team,” Toure said in the statement issued to the media and addressed to Sidibe.

Sidibe had served as premier since 2007.

Toure has run the West African state, Africa’s third largest gold miner and a BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali Prime major regional cotton growMinister Modibo Sidibe resigned er, since 2002, and won his on Wednesday and a new govern- second and final five-year ment will be formed soon, term in 2007.

President Amadou Toumani Toure said in a communique.

He has said repeatedly he does not intend to ammend No reason was given for the res- the constitution to allow ignation, which comes a year him to run for a third term. ahead of presidential elections.

Toure has said he does not plan to stand in the 2012 polls.

(Reuters “A new chapter of government action is beginning for the

He told reporters that the deal would help to create jobs locally.

But analysts say it has struggled due to tough competition from existing fast-food chains.

Chris Gilmour, an analyst in Johannesburg, said he believed McDonald's had also misread the local market when it opened restaurants that were too large and expensive for potential franchise-holders to operate, the AP news agency reports.

As former chairman of the Black Economic Empowerment Commission, he was closely involved in the government programme to transfer wealth and economic assets to the black population.

Mr Ramaphosa said he was honoured at the opportunity and would "focus on satisfying our customers, developing our people and maximizing business opportunities".

McDonald's believes Mr Ramaphosa could turn round the company's fortunes in the country, saying he is a businessman familiar with South Africa's dynamics and market conditions.

"We are excited about the new relationship between McDonald's and Cyril Ramaphosa," said Dave Murphy, division president Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

McDonald's is said to be is the largest fast-food business in the world.

Mr Ramaphosa has been awarded a 20-year agreement to

Tunis)

Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships to Support Africa's Next Generation

The AfDB, UNECA, and WTO will each host an Ibrahim Fellow in their executive offices. The expectation is that Ibrahim Fellows will go on to play a major role in the governance and development of the African continent.

In announcing the programme, Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Foundation said, "Anyone travelling around Africa today will be impressed by the rising generation of new talent across business and politics that is shaping the continent's future. The Fellowships will give a select group the experience and training they need to play a leading role in furthering our continent."

Ibrahim Fellows will be selected by the institutions in conjunction with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and will take part in a 12 month fellowship with one of the participating organisations. They will be young professionals, mid-career and new executives under the age of forty, or forty-five for women with children.

Speaking on behalf of the AfDB, President Donald Kaberuka said, "The Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will ensure there is a growing pipeline of future African leaders who have the experience and ability to build strong African economies.

The African Development Bank is delighted to host one of the first Ibrahim Fellows."

Expressing his support for the new programme, Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of UNECA said, "We are proud to be an inaugural partner of the new Ibrahim Fellowships Programme.

We share Mo Ibrahim's determination to inspire outstanding leaders in Africa and expose them to the challenges of African integration. This programme is another step towards a better future for our people."

More information on eligibility and the application process for the Ibrahim Fellowships Programme will be available on the Foundation's website.

The Fellows will be nationals of an African country with 7-10 years of relevant work experience and a Master's Degree. They will support the work of the institution to http://allafrica.com/ further promote the economic development of the continent.

African

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H E A LT H

NEWS

IRC Says 10 Million Might Die of Tuberculosis by 2015 thousands of people in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are infected with tuberculosis and that seven people in the region die of the illness every hour.

Yet, she explains, IFRC volunteers have been able to save the lives of thousands.

“Our report has a story from Turkmenistan.

One of our volunteers in our program, she had tuberculosis twice in her life — once when she was a child and she was cured and a second time she got tuberculosis when she was 33 [years old]. She was devastated,” she explains.

“And only Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers helped her to go through this difficult period.

And they gave her psychological support and in many ways helped the family in general to go through this difficult period. And she is The International Federation of Red Cross now one of the volunteers of Turkmenistan and Red Crescent Societies warned Thursday Red Crescent.” that as many as 10 million people will die of Tuberculosis by 2015, unless the international Future needs community intervenes. The world’s largest humanitarian and development network pre- The IFRC wants to raise $250 million to sented its report to mark World Tuberculosis extend treatment and support to as many as 1.7 Day. million tuberculosis sufferers around the world Tuberculosis – preventable and curable The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says worldwide access to affordable, effective treatment and care is crucial to halt a global and often deadly Tuberculosis pandemic.

In its latest report, “Towards a TuberculosisFree World,” the IFRC warns that by 2015 more than 10 million people could die from an illness that experts say is preventable and curable.

The report says that more than 80 percent of tuberculosis cases occur in Africa and Asia, with India and China alone accounting for a third of people suffering from the disease.

Challenges: multi-drug resistance, cost Dr. Sonja Tanevska, Heath and Care Coordinator of the IFRC Europe Zone, says there is also concern about Eastern Europe and the Central Asian nations of the former Soviet Union.

“Eastern Europe is unfortunately affected by the form of tuberculosis that is very difficult to treat. It is multi-drug resistant tuberculosis,” Dr. Tanevska said. “This is why Eastern Europe is very specific and it is very important for [the] fight [against] Tuberculosis.”

Dr. Tanevska says part of the problem is that many people diagnosed with tuberculosis in these former Communist nations do not complete their treatment because of the cost, which can range from $100 to $7,500.

Dr. Tanevska says that each year, hundreds of

by 2015 The IFRC’s spokesperson in Budapest, Joe Lowry, says the organization wants to work closely with local communities to detect the disease early among the homeless and others needing assistance.

“There the nurse could hear a cough and say, ‘You need to be tested.’ It’s a treatable disease, absolutely. It’s not a death sentence. It’s something that can be cured. It takes time.

With the right medication, people can be back on their feet and back at work within months,” Lowry states.

One in three people worldwide is thought to be infected with tuberculosis, although most will never become ill with the disease.

But with urban centers expected to swell to almost five billion people within the next two decades, the IFRC says governments will need to do more to help prevent cities from becoming a hotbed for tuberculosis transmission.

The IFRC estimates that some $21 billion is needed from donor countries to tackle the pandemic during the next four years.

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World Health Day 2011: Breaking the Silence on Africa’s Silent Epidemic When people consider health challenges in Africa they usually picture infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria or a host of tropical ailments – diseases that remain distant to the lives of the majority of Americans. But today, on World Health Day, I want to highlight an epidemic not often associated with Africa that is nevertheless sweeping the continent – non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

of mortality and 35% of illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa and by 2020, these figures could rise to 60% and 65%, respectively.

NCDs encompass diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, so called “diseases of the rich.” In the developed world, we assiduously track their prevalence and mobilize vast resources to treat and cure them. In the developing world, where data on NCDs are scare, the conversation around prioritizing approaches and resource allocation to combat NCDs is just beginning to take place. And while the diseases are the same, the outcome and impact are radically different.

In these financially-constrained times, I recognize that enlisting the donor community to open a new front against non-communicable diseases in Africa is a tall order. But I applaud the international community’s commitment to changing the trajectory of the problem and calling on the efficiencies and expertise the private sector has to offer in combating this problem.

While global partnerships and massive infusions of donor money have resulted in encouraging progress in combating infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, only 2% of global aid for health is devoted to NCDs.

Many of the currently available resources should be used to strengthen African health systems and the health ministries. This would go a long way in Shockingly, the UN estimates that, due largely helping African countries improve the screening to under-diagnosis and lack of effective treat- and treatment of NCDs and understand and plan ments, 80% of people who die from NCDs for their long-term consequences. I believe that live in the developing world. Few national now is the time for governments, NGOs and the health systems in Africa are equipped to man- private sector to draw on the innovative publicage illnesses like cancer, heart disease and private partnerships and models that have made diabetes that can be chronic or long-term and critical differences in the fight against communiexpensive to treat. According to United cable diseases internationally, as well as in Africa.

Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, NCDs already cost low- and middle-income Recognizing that Africans face many of the same countries as much as 5% of their GDPs. health challenges that we in the developed world face is a significant step towards recognizing our This is no reason, however, to admit defeat common destiny. Now is the time to export more and continue to ignore the problem. than our unhealthy diets and lifestyles to Africa – let’s also give them the tools to battle the conseRecently, scientists warned that over the next quences.

20 years the death rate from NCDs in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia will increase by more than 50% – fueled by the The Whitaker Group burgeoning migration of people in developing countries into urban areas and their subsequent adoption of Western diets and more sedentary lifestyles. NCDs represented 30%

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North America Presidential Campaign Council for Goodluck / Sambo Reelection Holds Rally in Baltimore, Maryland The Event was held at the Best Western Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on April 2, 2011

Sir Joe Ezeh and his wife

Hon. Chief Ken Anyika Onuoma, the North America Coordinator of the Presidential campaign Council addressing the invited guests

Some of the participants

Mr. Oscar Atuma , movie actor and Deputy Coordinator for the South West region and George Bright-Abu

Dancing time

Sir Joe Ezeh-Deputy Coordinator of East Coast region and host of the Baltimore Event welcoming the guests

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2011

Kenneth Appiah Launches Afro Praiz Album

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Kenneth Appiah (Music Rabbi) to whom singing has become the greatest medium to saving lives launched his latest album Afro Praiz album on March 26, 2011 at the Church of Pentecost auditorium in Virginia . Kenneth Appiah (Music Rabbi), praise, worship, reggae and afro pop singer is one of Ghana’s greatest Gospel Artists. Kenneth Appiah & his group, The Soul Winners International havefans all over the world .

Pastor NAB leading Praise and Worship

Music Rabbi -Ken Appiah

Mrs. Esther Quartey ministering in music

Rev. John Ofori of the Church of Pentecost lauching the new CD

Dance choreographer Kojjo Reeves and his group of dancers

Collins Omane-Crowd pulling praise and worship leader

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Bishop Oyedepo Acquires $30m Jet International churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the senior pastor of the acclaimed Faith Tabernacle,a 50,000 seat church auditorium reputed to be the largest church auditorium in the world by the Guinness Book of records.

Four jets Reports claim that this building was built Apart from this latest acquisition, the bishop has debt free.

The Winners Chapel network of a Gulfstream 1 which he acquired in 1996, a churches is present in over 300 cities in Gulfstream 4 and a Challenger Aircraft. all states of Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 African Nations, Dubai, When the spokesperson for the church, known only as Mr William, was contacted, he confirmed theUnited Kingdom and the United States of America. Oyedepo has been the story. "Yes, Bishop announced the purchase Faith Tabernacle in Nigeria Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of seen as one of pioneers of the Christian of a jet on Sunday," he said.

Winners Chapel International is reported charismatic movement in Africa and has to have increased the number of jets in his been referred to as one of the most pow- referred to principal exponents of theFaith Movement Source: nigeriafilms.com such as Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, the late hanger. The new aircraft is estimated to be erful preachers in Nigeria.

Kenneth Hagin, T.L Osborn, Smith Wiggles Worth as worth a whooping $30m. well as renowned Nigerian preachers Enoch Adeboye and GUINNESS BOOK OF Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General the late Benson Idahosa as mentors.

This therefore brings the number of his Overseer of the Redeemed Christian RECORDS WORLDS private jets to four.

Church of God, ordained David and his In 1982 he married Florence Abiola Akano (now known LARGEST CHURCH wife, Florence Abiola Akano (now as Faith). They have four children together (David Jr, The private jet, a Gulfstream V was known as Faith Abiola Oyedepo) to BUILDING Isaac, Love and Joys). David Jr and Isaac Oyedepowere declared to the over 10, 000 worshipers become pastors also officially commisordained as Pastors in May 2007 by Kenneth Copeland. who thronged Canaanland on Sunday sioned the newly started church of David Jr pastors the London Branch of His Church with March 27th, by the bishop himself.

Oyedepo.

Five years after, Oyedepo was Bishop David O. Oyedepo, affectionately called His wife, Kemi while Isaac pastors the New York branch ordained a Bishop.

Papa by his followers is a Nigerian Christian The bishop said the new jet will be used The teachings of Oyedepo has put him in of His Church. author, Preacher and the founder and Presiding exclusively for the ministry's African Bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide also the category of what is commonly called http://ofm-tv.com Mission. the Word of Faith Movement. He has known as Winners Chapel and its affiliated In his speech on one Sunday, the bishop also announced that a state-of-the art private aircraft hanger that can accommodate five jets at a time is being built for his jets near the international wing of Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

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Philipa Baafi Loses Triplets

Popular gospel musician Philipa Baafi who was reported to have successfully delivered a set of triplets somewhere in 2008, lost all three new-born babies a few months after delivery, peacefmonline.com gathers.

The thick lipped gospel singer known for her hit song “Go High” which was adopted by the then ruling New Patriotic Party as their campaign song and whose popularity hit higher levels during the CAN 2008 tournament hosted in Ghana, made the shocking revelation in an exclusive interview during Kwasi Aboagye’s “Gospel Hour” programme on Peace FM last Sunday, April 3, 2011.

“It's a very sad news but all these years, we kept it to ourselves. Aside our pastor and one family member, nobody knew about it...It is true my wife gave birth to a set of triplets and everybody was happy for us...but about four months after their birth, they were afflicted by some debilitating sickness...They became very sick and we had to take them to an intensive care unit. They were put under observation in an incubator for over two months, but they were still not responding to treatment, so the doctors in charge advised us that should they survive, there will be a lot of complications,” he said.

He revealed that aside some severe heart related problems, their brains could also not develop well.

Interestingly, he said, the sad news about the kids demise have been met with mixed feelings by friends and family members alike.

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Beauty contest for female prisoners in Brazil

“Some of my friends look at me in a certain way and say I must be very wicked to keep such a serious matter to myself all this while and others sympathize with me when they meet me or my wife,” he disclosed.

"Philipa was very moody on Sunday after she broke the news on Peace FM, but currently, she is doing good...as lots and lots of people keep calling to sympathize with her and encourage her,".

However, God has blessed the family with a new bouncy baby girl, who according to her husband, looks very much like the only girl who was among the triplets.

"...They were taken out of the incubator to see if they might survive, but unfortunately death laid its icy hands on them and they all died together," he stated.

The renowned gospel singer has compiled her bitter experience in a song on Mr Karikari explained that they did not her latest album titled: “Nea eba wonsem know how to publicly break the unforafi yi, so sen nea efri wonsa” (meaning: tunate news to Ghanaians and turned the What you will have this year will be joy of all those who were happy on the more than what you lost). news of the babies birth to sadness. He Philipa, who was in tears, recounted in a added that what made matters worse Philipa Baafi, aside being a great gospel faltering voice that the sad incident was that anytime they tried to tell fami- musician with a powerful voice, doubles occurred some three years ago, but she ly members, especially their in-laws the as a beauty therapist. kept the information away from family sad news, before they even open their members, friends and the media, because mouths to speak, they will be met with She was born in Kumasi on May 15, she did not know how to break the news several questions on how the children 1980; the first of three children born to to Ghanaians considering how everybody were doing.

Ms Grace Acheampong, a trader, and had expressed joy upon hearing the birth Mr. Akwasi Baafi, who was domiciled in of the kids.

“It was simply difficult for us to tell Germany, both of blessed memory. anyone," he added.

Coincidentally, last Sunday happened to She first enrolled at the Kings be exactly three years since the death of "People kept asking for their pictures International School, before continuing the triplets, and Philipa, who could not and how old they were but we always her education at St Monica’s, where she keep secret the heart-breaking news any told them it would all come out in longer, had no option than to off-load her God’s own time. So after three years we was the Girls’ Prefect, the President of the Scripture Union and the Science pain and rid herself of the heaviness in thought it was just right for Ghanaians Club. She has gospel divas, Amy her heart by publicly sharing the rather and the world to know what really hap- Newman of Ghana and Rebecca Malope shattering information. pened,”. of South Africa, as her local and international role models, respectively.

Philipa Baafi’s husband, Mr. Kwame Asked whether they have regretted comKarikari, confirmed the news on Peace ing out with the news, Mr Karikari said FM’s “Entertainment Review” yesterday, “We have not regretted whatsoever, and Source: Eugene OsafoThursday April 7, and gave a vivid we don’t see it as a burden. We just explanation as to how it really happened. want people to know the truth and know Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana 08-Apr-2011 He disclosed that the triplets (two boys what really happened”. and one girl) were born in Maryland, United States of America.

It's the no holds barred beauty contest where the winner certainly won't be going on a global tour to promote world peace.

Because these women were competing in the first pageant for women serving prison sentences in Brazil's Pernambuco state.

The Miss Jail contest was won by Rebecca Rhaysa Suelen Guedesin, 19, who is serving life for murder in Recife Prison.

She said: "It was a real thrill to be cheered by the inmates and the guards. Sadly the dress has to go now and it's back to prison routine."

The final - held in the officers' club at the local military police headquarters - saw each of the 12 contestants judged for beauty, general knowledge and their good behaviour record as an inmate.

Ms Guedesin added: "I have an appeal coming up soon. I never killed anyone so I hope to return to normal life one day soon.

"It's flattering that people think I am pretty. But I don't have a boyfriend at the moment. I am just focused on getting out of here."

Her first place gives her a chance to take special career training and £400 to go in her prison bank account to buy luxuries.

Runners up Ark D'Juana from Lima came second with a £300 prize and fellow inmate Inabel Priscila dos Prazeres was third with £150.

The event was organized by Brazil's Ministry of Social Development and Human Rights as a way of reintegrating convicts with society.

"Prison life can be very grey and lacking any kind of excitement.

This gives the women something to work for and puts something special onto their lives," explained one official..

BBCNEWS

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When God is Not Enough: The Tragedy of Rachel

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah

A

s the travel-worn young fugitive neared the end of his journey, escaping from his brother's wrath, he rested his eyes on a beautiful maiden with whom he could not help but to fall in love. His love for her compelled him to work his body, mind, soul and the rest of his youth to ensure she would become his. After years of back-breaking labor and toil, their wedding day arrived. When he believed he had won his beautifully veiled bride, he only came to discover that he had been unconscionably deceived.

For in the morning, when the sunlight pierced through the shades of their private quarters, it was not the bride of his heart's desire that laid next to him, rather, the stunned groom set his eyes on her sister's face. Thus, begins the tragedy of Rachel.

If you are not familiar with the story of Rachel, Jacob and Leah, then it is one worth reading, but it is painful to see how both Laban and God manipulated the lives of the three. Recently, while praying and meditating for a topic, the story of these three came to mind and as I thoughtfully considered and examined their tale and how Leah and Rachel served as co-wives to Jacob, resulting from the deception of their own father, Laban, I began to ache for the sisters, but mostly I felt a deep pain and regret for Rachel because of her end. As I reflected on the story and particularly Rachel's solution to her problem, I learned that the Lord was giving me a topic where He wanted to caution us about falling into the same trap that led to Rachel's death.

In the book of Genesis, we learn that because Jacob only loved and desired Rachel, not Leah, and that Leah had been deceptively forced unto Jacob as a wife, the Lord had compassion for Leah and blessed her with children while He shut Rachel's womb. I suppose it was God's way of striking a balance of some kind, because He felt for Leah and knew that even if she couldn't have Jacob's heart, He could bless her with children where she might feel worthy of him and at least be fulfilled as a mother. It wouldn't be fair to Leah that Rachel should have the heart, passion and regard of their husband and then also freely bear him children. So Rachel was denied the joys of motherhood and had to suffer a bitter struggle with bareness because of Jacob's love for her.

Yet, God had mercy on her enough that while He blessed Leah with six sons and a daughter, He eventually blessed Rachel and she bore her sons Joseph and Benjamin before her untimely death.

Quite before her death, The Bible tells us that

seeing her sister Leah producing child after child to increase Jacob's clan, out of jealousy and in desperation, Rachel pleads with Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die." Gen. 30:1. Later, it is narrated that "God remembered Rachel and God gave heed to her and opened her womb‌so she conceived and bore a son (Joseph) and said, "God has taken away my reproach" Gen. 30: 22-28. But years after when she bore no more children, a desperate Rachel steals her father's gods before she and her husband move out of her father's home.

This is where Rachel makes her tragic mistake and precipitates her own death. For when Laban accused Jacob of stealing his gods, Jacob, unaware that Rachel had stolen them, prophetically asserts that "the one with whom you find your gods shall not live‌" Gen. 31:32. Although Laban searched throughout Jacob's possessions,

not only test our faith in God, but also call to question our character. Our response to these life events will confirm how committed we are to our relationship with God and how spiritually mature and strong we are. It will also shed light on the underlining truth of our priorities and motivations for serving God. By taking her father's gods, Rachel steps out of her relationship with God and injects into her life a force that only quickened her end. Again, by stealing her father's gods well after God had answered her prayers and blessed her with Joseph, Rachel in effect communicates that God is not enough for her and that her burdens and yearnings are too great. She needed something a little more than what God had provided.

pray for ourselves anymore even as Rachel once prayed for herself and the Lord mercifully answered her prayers.

Is the omnipresent God suddenly only manifesting His powers at hyped meetings? Do we truly know the spiritual sources of those meetings and their leaders? We must be careful not to end like Rachel.

When God called Moses out of hiding to return to Egypt for the work of his life, He did something significant.

This was before the recording of any biblical law. The Lord took the simple staff that Moses used in his daily labor to manifest signs and miracles. By so Rachel's decision to possess something doing, God's intention was to have extra is consistent with many Christian's behav- Moses demonstrate His miracle workioral practices today. While we may attend ing power to all who would come to church week after week, hear the word of God believe. The staff or rod is a symbolic and see His miraculous hand in our lives and representation of God's word. It was a the lives of our loved ones, somehow, many of sign that God was with Moses. It was us tend to grab onto something else that may there to remind him that he was not not have the virtue of God in it at all. More and alone and that whatever challenge he more, it seems that the God that we know is no encountered could be overcome as long longer enough. So we run around from place to as he remembered God and utilized the place, church to church, crusade to crusade, fol- staff according to God's guidance. lowing all sorts of prophets, spiritual leaders Exodus 4:20 tells us, "so Moses took and movements, never finding a resting place. his wife and his sons and mounted For like Rachel, we are restless, searching for them on a donkey, and returned to the something a little extra, something that we can land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff grasp. Sometimes we find it and other times we of God in his hand." are left tired and discouraged, because our trust in the prophets and leaders did not amount to During points of his mission of freeanything. All the rushing here and there, all the ing the Israelites, Moses used the staff financial and emotional expenditures and invest- to perform miracles to his and the ments in something beyond us have left us still Israelites' benefit. When the Lord first empty or worse off. In the mean time, we may encountered Moses holding the staff, continue to attend our regular place of worship, He asked Moses, "what do you have in but we are left unmotivated and disillusioned your hand?" I ask the same question: about the power of God. what do you have in your hand?

Today, we have more than a symbolic It begs the question: what do we think has representation of God's word. In fact, happened to the power of God? O, I know. We we have God's word in our hands. We have been made to believe it is in a handkerhave been granted all the power that we chief, no a bottle of oil, or was it salt? No, that would ever need in His word. We have was yesterday, but today I think we are going been given the name Jesus and because Rachel successfully conceals the gods. But with pepper or is it some kind of water? We this Jesus, God incarnate, has come to have become like chaff and go wherever the she does not escape the repercussion. die as the last sacrificial offering for Rachel later conceived Benjamin and while wind blows. Sadly, we are looking for God's man's sins, we can plead his blood. power everywhere but in the word of God itself. Thus, if we have His name, His blood she was in labor, she suffered terribly and We are too busy and distracted running around died. The desperate yearning for which and His promises of riches, peace and trying to get a hold of some semblance of God's life eternal, what else could we need?

Rachel stole her father's gods tragically power that we have neglected the truth and and ironically leads her to this end. power of God's word. We have disconnected it I ask again, what do you hold in from our spiritual consciousness that "in the Why am I talking about Rachel and your hand? Do you hold the word of beginning was the Word and the Word was with God in your hand, heart, spirit and how relevant is her calamity to us? I am God and the Word was God" John 1:1. We have mind or has something else gotten a recounting the story, because too many of forgotten that the power we seek is in God us are like Rachel. Like Rachel, although hold of you? Like Rachel, it is what Himself and by simply believing in Him, we loved and preferred, we unwisely cause you have attached yourself to that will ourselves unnecessary pain and heartache. have direct access to that power. But instead of determine your outcome. Do we opt Even if it was no fault of her own that she accessing the power via the Word, our easy fix for the victory and legacy of Moses or has become every effort under the sun, but the had to contend with her sister for her husthe painful repercussions suffered by band and that she couldn't freely bear chil- simple act of opening the word of God and Rachel? dren, the responsibility of stealing and pos- attending good ole Bible studies to learn and be sessing her father's gods rests with her. The taught. No, that is too hard, or is it too practical? Furthermore, it appears we are unable to truth is that time and again, as children of God, we will undergo experiences that will

"As I reflected on the story and particularly Rachel's solution to her problem, I learned that the Lord was giving me a topic where He wanted to caution us about falling into the same trap that led to Rachel's death."

April

Azumah Nelson, Joins Filmmaker Sam Kessie For US Debut of “Zum Zum: The Career of Azumah Nelson”

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92-year-old Woman Becomes Oldest Marathoner GLADYS Burrill wasn't thinking about breaking a world record when she powerwalked and jogged through the Honolulu Marathon at age 92.

But Burrill, a part-time Hawaii resident nicknamed the "Gladyator," learned soon after finishing the December 12 race with a time of nine hours and 53 minutes that she likely qualified for the recognition.

Guinness World Records confirmed Burrill's accomplishment on Saturday, and the Hawaii House of Representatives honored her with a certificate during a ceremony on Monday.

"Just get out there and walk or run," she said Monday. "I like walking because you can stop and smell the roses, but it's a rarity that I stop."

Burrill had been a multi-engine aircraft

pilot, mountain climber, desert hiker and horseback rider before she ran her first marathon in 2004 at the age of 86.

She said she was inspired when she saw early morning fireworks kicking off the marathon the year before.

Since then, she's completed five of seven Honolulu Marathons.

She dropped out of the race in 2008 just days after the death of her husband of 69 years, and a stomach ailment sidelined her in 2009 halfway through the course Burrill said her positive attitude gave her the strength to start running marathons and keep at it. She still walks dozens of miles a week. onlinenigeria.com

Annual Africa/USA "Night of the Stars" Sports Awards Sam Kessie has courageously put on the boxing gloves to a golden globes championship as the sole woman amongst giant men producing the documentary film “Zoom Zoom -The Professor”, covering the historical career & rise of a young man from the boisterously tough quaint fishing town of Bukom, located in Ghana’s capital of Accra. Azumah Nelson put African boxing on the map KO after KO & became an international superstar with an entire continent behind him, as he became the only African to be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

started as a piece to help bring awareness to the Azumah Nelson Foundation in conjunction with his children’s book to raise 23 million dollars(USD) to build an educational sports complex for underprivileged children in Akuse, Ghana.

According Sam Kessie:

“I hope this leads to distribution for him in the future, but this being for such an honorable nonprofit cause, I hope it gets a chance to circulate around, hopefully in the festival circuit. I hope In yet another black star move to be the first in people who normally wouldn’t consider watchsetting their own standards & paving their own ing a boxing story of a young man from a little paths, Sam Kessie has been chosen to be part of coastal African nation who believed his destiny National Geographic’s “2011 Women Hold Up was to become a King amongst Kings fulfilling The Sky Series” featuring films by trailblazing his destiny beyond anyone’s expectations as he female filmmakers, making her the first Ghanaian rose amongst the greatest, would get the opporfilmmaker along with the first film on boxing or tunity to do so.” about a boxer to be featured at National Geographic. Zum Zum: The Career of Azumah Press Contact: Nelson, the educational title to the documentary was screened on April 2, 2011 at the National Aretha A. Sarfo Geographic Headquarters in Washington, DC, to VISIONS Entertainment & Publicity/Global educate the world about the life of Azumah Fusion Productions Inc. Nelson beyond boxing.

P: 212-280-0699 /E: aretha@visionspublicity.com or info@globalfuAzumah Nelson holds his title of “The Professor” sionproductions.com to heart, as he has made it his life’s mission to educate the children of the black star nation of Source:3gmediaonline.comHeep heep heep Ghana, West Africa. The documentary project Hoooorrrrrrraaaaaayyyyyy

3G Media Inc and 3G Magazine Present The 3rd Annual Africa/USA "Night of the Stars" Sports Awards

Music will be provided by Katabo Soundz, Elove, Andy Dosty, DJ Ronnie, Jeff & Sam Q.

3G Media Inc & 3G Magazine proudly present the third Annual Africa/USA Awards “NIGHT OF THE STARS” Sports Awards honoring the Past and Present. The event takes place on Saturday; June 18th, 2011 at the the famous Armenia Hall located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th street) New York City, NY 10016.

Red Carpet coverage by Paul Asher T & Tribe Judah (3G ATLANTA) & Lougit Media

Some of the special guests who have confirmed and are attending include current and past members of the national team, The Black Stars. They are Asamoah Gyan, John Mensah, John Pantsil, Kevin Prince Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Rev. Osei Kofi, Ibrahim Sunday, Abdul Razak, Ahmed Polo, Kuuku Dadzie, Dan Oppong, Joe Sam and Kwasi Appiah.

The event is supported by The National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA), Ghana Football Association (GFA), Happy FM, ETV, Union of Ghanaian Sports Journalists USA, Boogie Down Nima Productions, Sam Tuga & Associates, Lougit Media (LM)

This is a Black Tie/Traditional Wear affair .The donation is $100. The event is a fundraiser to aid The Pediatric Unit of the National Cardio Thoracic Center at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

*MARK YOUR CALENDARS & DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS FANTASTIC Others include former Black Queens Captain; EVENT!!!!!!!!!!!!* Alberta Sackey, former Olympic Athlete; Rose Asiedua and Lynne Suzette Carter, the Contacts – Mr. CNN- 646 833 6194, Mindy First African American Female Boxing Judge Nyarkoah Asiedu - 914 473 1557, Fred A. in all the 3 major sanctioning bodies - World Dwamena (Odikro)- 917 683 0592, Kwabena Boxing Association(WBA), World Boxing Manu (Pancho), 914 260 8100, Florence Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Ofori - 646 391 1226 Union (WBU).

Source:www.3gmediaonline.com The event will be hosted by Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD, The Finest) and MC - Papa Linc.

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Another Location Opened in Alexandria 8738 Richmond Hwy. Alexandria VA. Tel : 703-780-0088 703-780-1887

Odisika and Charity invite you to Rahama African Restaurant Waakye, Jolof Rice, Atseke, Omotuo, Tuo Zaafi Banku and Tilapia, Fufuo, Kenkey, Fried Plantain and Beans (red red) , abunu abunu (Green green) and many local dishes)

Fula, Hausa Kooko and Koose Special Home of LimonGin Beverage

April

2011

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Ghanaian Clothes Maker seeks to outfit Obama and his family business entity in 2005. With time he started realizing a respectably decent number of clientele which forced him out of the basement of his house to renting a studio in Landover Maryland where he stayed and worked for 3 years.

In 2009 the his store location moved from Landover to Silver Springs also in Maryland where it is now housed in a very prime business district. It also has a window location where people outside the building walking or driving by can see some of the wares displayed and thus have a better sense of what Kustom Looks Clothier is all about.

By Oral Ofori 'I think my garments are more technical than they are fashion designed and this is even more so owing to my engineering background' says Kwabena Asamoah of Kustom Looks Clothier to our senior associate Oral Ofori. The two caught up in Silver Springs Maryland in the USA where the Ghanaian born entrepreneur simply called Kwab has been living and working for almost 3 decades now.

Kustom Looks Clothier represents about 10% of the top 100 black businesses that are harbored in and around the US Capitol today and has clients that make an annual income in excesses of $100,000 upwards. When the company begun, its biggest trend was to serve each client directly and individually, hence they don't make anything that is a general size. According to Kwab, all of his client's clothes, be they men, women or children are 110% hand made and customized to meet each individual's specifications, this is why it takes 2-3 weeks to finish a garment.

Throwing more light on how clothes are made after a client is measured and detailed, Kwabena Asamoah says that his company has its own factory in the Asian country of Bangkok Thailand which accommodates some 10 tailors and two

Kwabena Asamoah who prefers to be called Kwab for short has been running Kustom Looks Clothier for the past half decade during which he has earned himself an enviable reputation in the US fashion community as one of the most versatile and creative designers, wooing high profile clients like the Washington Redskins and news anchor Leon Harris. Other prominent clients of his are Michael Steele of the Republican party, former NFL athlete; Brian Mitchell, Hollywood Stars like actor Iddris Elba, top black CEO's like Russell Wright and until recent, President Barrack Obama.

It is the dream of Kwabena Asamoah to have persons all over the place to provide top quality service to existing and potential clients by increasing the account executive base where there will be people all over to service clients directly. The clothing company believes it is not just luck that brings them high profile clientele because for one to have such clientelle, they must also have and exhibit a higher profiled product and service and this has aways been the hallmark of Kustom Looks Clothier.

As part of efforts to expand and meet demands of clients within the US, Kustom would be working on a second store in Capitol Hill, right next to the US Congress.

directors who work on orders and proceed to ship the finished products to the Silver Springs show room. Once the shipments arrive, clients within the East coast of the US pick up their wares from the store while those further out in the West coast have theirs forwarded to them.

Service is key to Kustom Looks Clothier, which

ever, is to become the official outfitters of the present American First Family. Kwab believes the wearing of suites especially among the African American community and blacks in general has once again gained importance owing to the fact that the current American President; Barrack Obama, wears them often. This has positively conscientized the African-American in particular and blacks around the globe to take a second look at how they dress.

The Tape-man, who currently has two barely teen-aged sons and is divorced, thinks blacks all over the world are taking a different conscience about their appearance, which is great for not only the race but for its business entrepreneurs like himself. 'People are returning to the button-up shirts, getting into jackets and once more realizing the value of the suit' he says.

Speaking of present fashion trends, Kwab feels that the boom in the wearing of jeans today is a blessed-curse as it takes a bit away from fashion by creating so much of a casual mentality among its wearers, yet it provides a double edged result because in another way, it also provides comfort to the information age worker who doesn't deal or work face-to-face with clients like they did 2-3 decades back. Today people can sit behind their laptops or even use their smart phones at home to transact tens of thousand dollar deals wearing just jeans and a vest with a buttoned up shirt or sports coat over sneakers so yes, jeans has become a necessary evil in today's fashion world.

The 'Tape man' as he's affectionately called by close associates and colleagues, won the Wynnewood Image Award from Wynnewood Technology of the USA in 2006, while his firm; Kustom Looks Clothier, was bestowed the award for Best Fashion Merchandising in 2009 by the Small Business Commerce Association of Silver Spring in Maryland with Kwab himself also annexing the Prince George's County of Maryland's Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the year 2009 award.

The Engineer turned designer says he doesn't so much see himself as your regular clothing designer as he is not so much of an artiste. What he does is to employ his skills as an engineer to create his unique style of clothing. Kwab says his tailors take 27 measurements which leave his clients with clothing that fit better in a technical sense because it hugs the body with comfort.

Born and raised in Kumasi, the capital of Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom, Kwab says he has always had the yearning to start his own business since age 21. It was that yearning which lead him to turn his guest bedroom and eventually the basement of his town house in Maryland into the office where Kustom Looks Clothier begun to take shape as a

is why they do not rest their oars after shipping out finished products to clients. They also go further to provide the service of a master tailor who is also from Ghana to take care of client needs like adjustments, and alterations even for clothes that they didn't produce. This is done in line with the company's full service nature.

Currently, the firm has 3 sales representatives and a vice president of marketing with CEO Kwab himself at the head of the totem pole.

They also produce and organize fashion shows and coordinate events both out here in the States and back home in Ghana.

These achievements notwithstanding, Kustom Looks Clothier still has its eyes set on higher highest and is looking to not just open a branch of the business in the West African country of Ghana, but to also produce and sell affordably high quality clothing to Ghanaians to deter them from traveling outside the country to purchase such clothing. Their supreme goal how-

Kwab Asamoah, tailoring his way to the top

Afrikan

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April

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April

Nigeria:

Portsmouth Honours Kanu With Lifetime Award Tunde Sulaiman -All Africa the club and her fans enough for all the support he had received since joining six years ago.

"I'm very very happy to receive such an award it shows how much the club and fans appreciate me," said the former Super Eagles skipper Tuesday.

He said it was such gestures that played a big part in his decision to stay with the club even when they were relegated last season.

Newly appointed Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ambassador, Nwankwo Kanu on Monday night added another award to his already bulging collection, when he was given a Lifetime Achievement award by Portsmouth Football Club.

The lavish ceremony, which held at the Championship side's home ground of Fratton Park, also saw striker David Nugent being crowned Player of the Year.

The ceremony, which was also organised in conjunction with the city's main newspaper, The News, was to honour outstanding individuals who had contributed to the success of the club this season.

A very delighted Kanu, who was the last to be given his award, said he could not thank

Although the former Arsenal star only joined the club on the final day of the of the start of the 2006/07 season at the behest of former manager, Harry Redknapp, Kanu has engraved his name in the annals of Portsmouth FC folk law when he helped ensure that Portsmouth ended a 50-year wait for a trophy with the 2008 FA Cup. It was in his second season at Portsmouth, that Kanu scored in both the FA Cup 1-0 semi-final win against West Bromwich Albion and the 1-0 win in the final against Cardiff City, earning him a third FA Cup winner's medal, after two previous honours with Arsenal.

Kanu, who has so far played 126 games for the South coast seaside team, still has two more years to run on the contract extension he signed last season.

Abedi wants Hayatou out hijacking CAF. Abedi 47, who was named as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004 has queried the way CAF’s sponsorship money is used, insisting it is worthless winning the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Abedi talking to Africa Watch Magazine said “If you are old, 65 or 70, pave the way for the young ones who have fresh ideas to better manage the game,” Author: Alie Bittar – SEM UK Correspondent Ghanaian all time best, Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew (in photo), has called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Cameroonian Issa Hayatou to quit his post and make way for younger football stakeholders that will take the affairs of Africa’s football to a higher level.

The CAF boss will turn 65 in August and has played his part in the continent’s top game for 23 years, however the legend says they must not be allowed to “hijack the game in Africa and think that it’s their own”.

The three time African best also noted the Africa Cup of Nations is now worthless due to the fact there is no prize money attached to the winning nation in Africa.

“Why the most you win is an empty trophy, Two years ago Abedi Pele supported players are desperate to win it but there is nothHayatou’s re-election, but was beside the FIFA boss Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency ing to show for it. What is CAF using our sponsorship monies for?” he asked. in 2002. Today Sierra Express Media understands Abedi had issued a sarcastic scold against the CAF boss accusing him of sierraexpressmedia.com

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April

2011

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From Life in a village with 60 houses to Managing an Estate with 900 Residents

By Oral Ofori I was reading a notice on the door of the main entrance to this building when I realized it was about this fellow Ghanaian who had been elevated during the last quarter of March 2011 to the position of Property Manager. Atta Kofi Osei, is the name of this person in question, he was elected Property Manager of a Virginia apartment complex known as the Lafayette and located off the Richmond highway in Alexandria, Virginia . I guess by now you all know my drill, but in case you don't then here it is, if it's got “Ghanaian-ness” then it's gonna set my curiosity taste buds tingling.

So Mr. Osei has been working in the property management and real estate sector for the past 12 years in the United States.

From Aggrey Memorial Atta Osei furthered his education at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana where he became one of the pioneering students of the university's Physical Education Degree Program, the first of its kind in Ghana. On graduation, he taught for almost 3 years: first with the Technology Secondary School in Kumasi; Ghana's Ashanti Kingdom and then he moved to do some more teaching at Mampong Technical College for about a year.

It was during his teaching days with the Mampong Technical College that he won a scholarship to pursue a masters degree in the University of Northern Iowa where he

watch out for the Oforific blogster, lol!

Raised by a single parent, Atta survived on the sustenance provided by his uncle and mother's subsistence farming. Moneys accrued from her sale of corn, sugarcane and other farm produce was what mostly financed his early education all through to his university days in Cape Coast Ghana till he arrived in the States almost two decades ago. On the advice of his uncle, Atta realized earlier in life that there was more to living than farming, hence the need to leave the village life behind him. He therefore saw education as the best ticket out of village life, therefore his pursuit of it waxed strongly.

The Property Manager whose job directly positions him with the American government in its cause to provide affordable housing was born in Domeabra, a village located not so far from the Ghanaian town of Obuasi which is known for its abundance in gold production and a one time number one world producer of gold. I remember reading about Domeabra in elementary school and never imagining I'd ever meet or talk to anyone from out there.

After secondary schooling, Atta took his Ordinary Level exams at Aggrey Memorial Secondary School in Cape Coast, an important township in the history of the trans atlantic slave trade.

The three pronged approach used by Stephanie is pretty much the same style Atta has been using to maintain a respectable and secured community all through his career, and they are: enforce the lease, involve the police and provide accessibility for the property's topography such that it can be seen from vantage angels to allow smooth access to personnels in the security and emergency sectors. Just don't dial 911 if your ballon is stuck up your ceiling, stand on a chair to remove it because we don't wanna waste the tax payers money at all.

One stumbling block in the execution of the 3 pronged approach (to my friends in academia, I'm thinking of a three-prong thesis statement right now) is the occasional difficulty associated with rent collection. The current turn of events in the world has taken its toll on the global economy and for Mr. Osei, what is hurtful mostly to him is to see people struggle to pay rent owing to high demands on their finances. Even special is the case of immigrants who are not only fending for themselves as they try to live the American dream, but are also helping out financially by remitting funds to the families in their respective countries of origin… hmmm, which reminds me, I gotta make a trip to the nearest Western Union soon as am done with this piece.

He recently begun his association with Lafayette in June of 2010, this relationship has seen him rise to his present status in less than a year and of course it has seen me develop interest in him. Stephanie Edmonds, District Manager of Lafayette believes Mr. Osei wields tons of experience in the industry and owing to his good work within his short stay at Lafayette, promoting him to the place of Property Manager is a step in the right direction. It didn't take me more than 5 minutes that Atta is pretty much at home with his job.

My chat with Atta Osei started with him telling me about his stint with Property Management. It all begun at Minneapolis in Minnesota where he held the position of Assistant Manager and Certified Occupant Specialist. His expertise at the time mainly centered around dealing with reasonably priced properties for low income earners. He worked on this job for some two years till he relocated to the Washington DC metro area where fate decided it was time I met up with him and told his story to my readers and oh yes, to basically pick a job with one time largest housing providers in the US called AIMCO where he spent over 7 years till 2010.

immigrants all living in harmony. By the way there are tons of Ghanaians living there too, and just so you know, the fufu here is not pounded like they do in Ghana, it's prepared with a spatula so yep, we're all safe.

Mr. Atta Osei completed his first masters degree in Exercise Science. Atta went on to take another masters degree in Public Policy at the same university, talk about non-stop schooling, which reminds me of my exroomie Daniel Chappell… that guy is an evil genius who would have a whole blog dedicated to him, but don't tell Daniel I told you am planning to blog about him.

Mr. Osei eventually moved on to Minnesota after his graduation with an African-America woman who was later to become Mrs. Osei.

With education, Atta Kofi Osei moved from managing life in his little village in Domeabra where there were just about 60 houses back in his childhood days, to managing a cluster of 9 buildings with Lafayette Apartments off the Richmond Highway in Alexandria Virginia.

Lafayette's 9 clustered buildings consists multiple styles with each building holding 11 units.

The entire complex holds almost 340 units that provide housing to a total of 900 residents.

A little over half a decade ago, the area of the Lafayette cluster community was notorious for being a crime ridden area saddled with drug After two and a half years on his first job peddling and petty criminals, today there has in Minnesota, Atta ventured into been a total turn around for the best and Mr. Washington DC as I mentioned in earlier Osei credits this enviable feat to the good work paragraphs, he has been living in DC ever done by his predecessor Stephanie Edmonds since with his wife and three children; two who is now the District Manager of Lafayette. boys and a girl. The family is Christian and The change has brought about massive of the Baptist denomination. Mr. Osei improvements in the social, fiscal and security patiently looks forward to the day when he standpoints of the area. Today, it is considered gets to take his children on a visit to as one of the community friendly places and Ghana. I personally plan to visit Ghana has Americans and non Americans as well as myself sometime in mid 2012 so Ghana,

Though Atta labels himself a workaholic, the Property Manager says to me that he still finds time to chill with his family and tries to be present at his children's extracurricular activities. To members of the Ghanaian community, Kofi advices that they don't forget what brought them here and why they are here in the first place. He strongly believes God placed those Ghanaians living in the UAS which is a more economically liberated and developed country, so they might have the opportunity to work and assist their families and country which they have left behind.

One of the ways in which Atta helps with the people in his home country of Ghana is to, on a yearly basis, send home items like used clothing and food items in the form of rice etc, he also helps out financially with community development projects. As for me, well I'll let my money transfer receipts do all the talking for me… time to head out to Western Union and to my peeps in Ghana, see y'all mid 2012 at Kotoka!

Afrikan

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April 2011

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April 2011

Creator of Super Glue dies at age 94 Source: BBC News

Ghanaian Manhood - 2nd Longest In The World

website.

Cyanoacrylate, the chemical name for this glue, was actually discovered some years earlier.

During World War II researchers were looking for materials to make clear plastic gun sights.

It may be just a pin-prick on the map, but the Congo’s capital Brazzaville has become a world The website said researchers dismissed beater – on a bizarre new penis atlas of the world. it for that purpose because it stuck to everything.

Ghana is second with an average length of 6.7inches (17.31cm). Sample data for Ghana was taken in the President Obama awarded Dr Coover year 2000 by the Ghana Sexology and Femilie center the National Medal of Technology and The creator of Super Glue, Hary Coover, Innovation in 2010.

The (map) – which went online this in March 2011 – has died in Tennessee at the age of 94. rates countries by the average size of the populaDr Coover became vice-president of the tions’ manhoods and highlights some graphic shortDr Coover, discovered the well-known chemical division for development at comings between East and West. adhesive by accident, while working for Eastman Kodak, where the team he Eastman Kodak, his grandson Adam Paul worked with achieved more than 460 Africa’s Republic of Congo comes first with an aversaid. patents. age length of just over 7 inches, with Ghana, He gained a place on the National Colombia and Ecuador close behind.

An assistant at the company noticed that Inventors Hall of Fame in Ohio in 2004. two new refractometer prisms were glued firmly together by the substance.

Dr Coover was born in Newark, Delaware, and gained a degree in chem- Source: Dr Coover and a colleague first realised istry from Hobart College in New York http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=307 the potential of the glue in 1951, accordand a PhD from Cornell University.

3 ing to the Super Glue Corporation The Nation (Nairobi) Kenya:

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130 illegal Immigrants Arrested in Northern Virginia MANASSAS, Va. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say more than 130 illegal immigrants have been arrested in northern Virginia as part of a recent enforcement effort targeting criminal aliens.

ICE and other law enforcement officials announced the arrests in Manassas, where local authorities have complained that the federal government is not doing enough to remove and deport illegal immigrants.

Officials say 131 illegal immigrants from 32 different countries (including Ghana) were arrested from Sunday to Tuesday. They say the enforcement effort focused almost exclusively on illegal immigrants with criminal records, including people convicted of sex offenses.

Source www.ghanaweb.com 3/24/11

In the Footsteps of Her Brother, Obama

Nairobi — At 6.30pm, all the seats are already occupied. A bespectacled man walks to the stage and announces that the public reading will start in a minute.

politely answers matter-of-factly. But she cannot avoid the topic for long. She reveals how the election of Barack as President of the US changed her life.

"It was great, but a challenge because it came as a surprise. You get to be treated differently, which is awkward. I was used to my private life.

Even if I am Barack Obama's sister, I could be Dr Obama steers clear of the limelight, and this was a boring," said Dr Obama, a technical advisor of rare moment when she appeared in a public podium. CARE's Sports for Social Change.

After all, she is the half-sister of the world's most Separated by space and time, Auma and Barack powerful man, US President Barack Obama. had never met until in the 1980s, after their father died in a car accident.

Dr Obama is at Nairobi's Goethe Institut auditorium for a public reading of her autobiography, Das Leben Like President Obama's Dreams from my Father, Kommt Immer Dazwischen (Life Happens).

Dr Auma in her autobiography reveals the The book is written in German, and the English trans- moment she met Barack and how apprehensive she was. lation is not yet available.

Soon Dr Auma Obama emerges from a side door and proceeds to the podium. She is greeted by a round of applause, and she flashes a smile back.

"Life happens. I have always planned to do things in a certain way and something happens and it takes you to a different direction," she said of her choice of the title.

Following in the footsteps of her half-brothers, the US President and Mark Ndesandjo, Dr Obama is the third in the family to write a memoir.

She begins with the tale of her family, about the misrepresentation of the family's story. "A lot has been written claiming that my father was a polygamist..." she said.

When taken to task to explain this further, she skilfully avoids it.

"The book is not about my father or brother," she

she harboured, in his book, President Obama reveals the new-found love between a brother and sister.

"At the airport, I scanned the crowds. How would I find her? I looked down at the photo she had sent me, smudged now from too much handling.

"Then I looked up, and the picture came to life: an African woman emerging from behind the customs gate, moving with easy, graceful steps; her bright, searching eyes now fixed on my own... as she smiled. I lifted my sister off the ground as we embraced.

"I knew at that moment, somehow, that I loved her so naturally, so easily and fiercely...," President Obama wrote.

Dr Obama tells the audience of the challenges she met on her first days at university in Frankfurt, "Would my brother be there? Would he recognise the culture shock of living with a German family. me? Is my brother boring or interesting? What if he doesn't like me?" Just as Barack had described She tells of an awkward moment she had with the in his memoir, Auma says they had kept in touch, family at the dinner table, and how virtually writing between Chicago and Frankfurt. every member of the family puffed away marijuana.

Scanning the crowd at an airport in Chicago, she heard a voice roar: "Auma!"

"When I refused, the son asked me, 'I thought everybody smokes in Africa,'" she reads. "I was "It had to be Barack," Auma reads. "Just by the living with a family of drug addicts. I pretended sound of his voice, I knew he was family." that I wasn't horrified, yet I was."

In his autobiography President Obama says: "I had never met this African half-sister; we had Auma came back to Kenya four years ago after written only intermittently. I knew that she had living in Germany for 16 years. left Kenya -- the home of our shared father -- to study in Germany."

Her rendition was crisp. She was quick-witted when taken to task by the head of information Though in her autobiography she talks of the fear and library department, Eliphas Nyamogo, with

whom she was sharing the podium.

Mr Nyamogo's questions avoid either her father or brother.

The audience is, however, keen to hear about President Obama.

"I know many people in the audience who will not forgive me for failing to ask you about your brother," says Mr Nyamogo.

She says her publisher had wanted her story: "I wrote so that people could hear my story. And the publisher said, 'tell us your story. The world would love if you mention it because it will boost sales," says Auma, a holder of a PhD from the University of Bayreuth.

She says she did not consider the issue of fame as she lived in Germany, and writing in the German language felt more natural.

At some point in the reading, she communicates her thoughts in German, with Mr Nyamogo providing the English translation.

An alumna of Kenya High, she left Kenya for Germany when she was barely 20.

She studied German at the University of Heidelberg, and film production at the German Film and TV Academy in Berlin. The English translation of her book, she says, will be in the bookshops soon.

Currently, the copies in German language are available at Sh1,500.

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Afrikan Post

April

2011

Emmanuel Nickson Weds Ir ene Opoku Emmanuel Nickson finally wed the love of his life on March 26 2011. Emmanuel, the musician and Pastor said ‘I do’ to Irene Opoku at the Apostolic Church at Springfield Virginia. At the wedding reception Pastor Nickson romantically sang a love song he specially composed for his bride

Special Moment

Rev. and Mrs Nickson

Bridesmaids

Groomsmen

A line up of beaufifully dressed women at the wedding

Family members

Page paid for by Francis Boanoh

Officiating Ministers-Rev. Turkson of WMM and Rev. Quartey of the Apostolic Church

Bridal patry

Parents of the Bride and Groom

Dancing time Nananom

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Pictures by Yaw Ansah of Highliferadio

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April 2011

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Triumphant Entry - Part 1 Lessons of Hope for the Christian

By Pastor King George It was the year 33rd year of His life and the 3rd year His ministry. The time has come for Him to offer Himself as a sacrifice (atonement) for the sins of man; for the remission of sins for as many who will believe in Him. Jesus had shown man the way to salvation John 14:6, the concept of sacrifice Luke 9:23, the golden rule John 13:34 just to mention a few. The disciples had become so much confident in Him and never dreamt He would leave them in anyway and in the fashion which He did.

The day came that Jesus will have to go through the process of sacrifice. The agony of the process made Him to request if possible that the Father would change the plan Matthew 26:39. Yet despite the magnitude of the pain, the endurance needed to bear the cross, maltreatment in the hands of sinful men and the torture, Jesus enters Jerusalem (the very place where he was going to be crucified) in an unprecedented fashion; in grand style Matthew 21:1-16.

Let us consider some of the lessons we can deduce from the Triumphant Entry; what Jesus Christ was teaching us from the way He

approached His humiliating death. ¢ Even though the sacrifices we make in following Jesus as Christians may be demanding, enormous, stressful, burdensome and painful our end is never going to be that of shame, lack and defeat so we should live the Christian life with a victorious spirit and a positive mentality.

demanded from Lucifer the authority he subtly stole from Mr Adam in the Garden of Eden so in His name JESUS CHRIST the delegated authority bestowed on us Christians is dynamic and efficacious. ¢ Because all of devils tactics against Jesus did not succeed we can be assured that if there be enemies against us a thousand will fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand side only with our eyes shall we behold the downfall of our enemies Psalm 91:1-8.

¢Jesus was confident of breaking free from the sting of death and the confines of the grave and rise up the third day so we must follow Him with a willing mind and a willing heart 2 Corinthian 8:11-12 knowing that because He rose we will also rise if we die ¢ Because Jesus dispossessed the devil of all His powers, He sits in the heavens and before His second coming.. just laugh against satan and his cohorts when they plan evil against us (Psalm 2:1¢For the confidence with which Jesus 4) because He acts as our referee and will approached H is death we are assured that never blow the whistle until we win.

He is surely coming back with the same confidence so that with hope, patience and holiness we will wait for His return to meet ¢ By entering Jerusalem and facing Satan, death, hell and dreaded situation on our a church without blame, spot or wrinkle behalf we can trust Him to bring to pass all Ephesians 5:27. the promises He's given us. We can lean on ¢ Because Jesus went to hell, the headquar- Jesus. ters of Satan and defeated him and took the ¢ By serving and worshipping God we will keys of hell and death and made a public go through difficulties, challenges and spectacle of all principalities and powers many afflictions but deliverance is now Colossians 2:15, when we engage in spiritual warfare in the name of Jesus Christ all available to those established on mount the powers of darkness will kowtow before Zion and members of the household of faith. us. ¢ Once in hell Jesus took back, snatched,

about Jesus was fulfilled and everything He said He will go through and will happen to Him actually happened. He layed down His life and took it back and resurrected on the third day. That shows that Jesus Christ the Nazarene is the only true Messiah whiles all other self acclaimed messiahs of other religions are false because they have nothing to prove. ¢ The grave could not hold Jesus captive, Satan could not keep Him bound and even Mary the mother of Jesus and the other Mary did not succeed in embalming Him with traditional spices. That tells me that not a single disciple will follow Jesus Christ the messiah and serve Him and remain bound by the negatives of life. ¢ Because we are in the world the systems of the world may and of course can affect us but it is just for a little while and the God of all grace will establish, strengthen, and settle you 1 Peter 5:10.

Excepts from the book EXPERIENCE GOD'S GLORY - The Ultimate Blessing for the True Worshipper by Pastor George Annan ©2010 Visit www.redemptionnews.org or breakthroughhour.com to buy your copy Contact: redemptionews@yahoo.com

¢ Every prophecy in the Old Testament

FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT The Aduana Abroadze family of Elmina and New Edubiase, Abusuapanin Nana Adusei-Nti (GH), Mr. & Mrs. Kofi Baah Hagan, Elder & Mrs. Adjei-Darteh and Mr. & Mrs. Adjapong.

CHILDREN: John Francis Jr., Deaconess Rose Adjei-Darteh (Rose Francis COP, VA) Elder Dickson Adjei-Darteh (Son-in-Law COP, VA), Juliana Francis, William Francis, Agnes Francis, Mrs. Vera Agyapong (Vera Francis VA, USA), and Olivia Francis. Rev & Mrs. John Ofori (VA, District Pastor and the entire Church of Pentecost (NOVA & MD) and Rev. & Mrs. Michael Baako and the entire Light House Chapel International respectively invite you to the final funeral rites of our beloved Father, Father-in-Law, Brother, Uncle and Grandfather.

MR. JOHN FRANCIS ( DADDY J ) -AGED: 76 (Former Headmaster, New Edubiase Secondary School)

AttireBlack and White

DATE: Saturday, May 14, 2011 Venue: Veterans Park, 4300 Featherstone Rd. Woodbridge, VA 22191 TIME: 9pm-2amm

Eld. & Dcns Adjei-Darteh Elder & Dcns Adjei-Darteh Elder & Mrs. Maxwell Boachie Elder & Mrs. Lionel Nortey Elder & Mrs. Owusu Sekyere Elder & Mrs. Kofi Obeng Mr. & Mrs. J. Nkansah

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Elder & Mrs. Maxwell Boachie Elder & Mrs. Augustine Duah Elder & Dcns A. Boateng Elder & Mrs. Kwame Obeng Mr. & Mrs. Drah Elder & Mrs. Ato Kum

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Elder Noble Aboagye Dacosta Elder & Dcns Yaw Frempong Elder & Mrs. Ordartey Mills Ms. Sarah Osei Adubofour Mr. & Mrs. K. Kwakye Mr. & Mrs. Clem Kumah

Mr. & Mrs. Agyapong

703-789-6805 Mr. & Mrs. Agyapong 703-304-7018 703-220-2598 Elder Isaac Tawiah 571-265-5703 703-931-4570 Elder & Mrs. Abraham Marfo 443-983-9133 703-750-0970 Mr. & Mrs. Prince Boateng 703-269-9459 703-498-3304 Mr. & Mrs. Hewton 703-861-0774 703-675-5686 Mr. & Mrs. Agyapong 703-304-7018

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GRACE FRONTIER

Rev. Kwabby Adom-Fosu Email address: adomso@aol.com

LIFE: Lived Forward but Understood backwards.

They would not have crucified the King of Glory. - 1 Cor.2:8 Unlike Mary the mother of the lord Jesus who kept her divine revelations to herself, Joseph, just like most of us, opened his mouth wide and liberally shared his revelations with his siblings. Little did he know that they would try to abort his dream. They failed.

April 2011 enabling it. cessful home-improvement retailer The Life is lived forward but understood back- Home Depot in 1979. The store revolutionwards! ized the home improvement business with its warehouse concept and the three became bilIn Matthew 28: 18-20, the Lord Jesus com- lionaires as a result. He was the company's missioned the apostles to take the Gospel to first CEO for 19 years and served as the ends of the earth. There was nothing chairman of the board until his retirement in wrong with that. Anything good has to be 2002. shared in order for it to be a blessing to others. The only hindrance to the commission Mr. Marcus was inducted into the Junior was that they were fisher folks who had the Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in ocean as their parish. These were local guys 2006. who did not know much else but Galilee and also Jerusalem; thanks to their obligations as Now, the Home Depot is the world largest Jewish men. home improvement retailer, the fifth largest retailer in the world and the fourth largest retailer in the US. As of December, 2010 it They were probably scratching their heads had over 300,000 associates, 2,248 stores as to how to execute the commission. and ranked #29 on the Fortune 500 list.

However, the Sanhedrin - the greatest council of the Jews – decided to persecute them Our God is a God of plan and purpose and for preaching in the name of the Christ. The nothing happens by chance. You may not Jews made the commission possible. understand challenges you are facing today but after He is done with you, you may look back and realize he was working for your The fear of the persecution scattered the dis- good. ciples across the land. As they fled from the Jews, their way of life affected the people If the Devil knew that killing the Lord Jesus they came into contact with where ever they would cause the multiplication of His Spirit found themselves. The Jews had unwittingly in countless people on earth, he would caused something that they dreaded to hap- allowed Him to live and die a natural death. pen right before their eyes! Do you now Crucify Him, crucify Him, they shouted but understand why God permitted the persecu- it was lost on them that they were impletion? menting God’s plan for redeeming humankind. If they knew they would not Your enemies have done more for you than have killed the King of Glory. you give them credit for.

Divine revelation gives you pictures of what is going on in the realm of the spirit. And remember, things that happen in this physical world first happen in the unseen spirit. In view of that, always give divine communications a more Life is lived forward but understood backserious attention. Joseph did not. wards. You might have lost your job and is stressed out because of that. But God may be Joseph’s dream unfolded when he was about 17 setting you up to start your own business. years old and later became Prime Minister of Bernie Marcus knows it better: Egypt at age 30. In between these years he was Bernard "Bernie" Marcus (born 1929 in in character training for the high office he was Newark, New Jersey) is a co-founder of born to occupy. He was born in a shepherd’s Home Depot. He was born to Jewishvillage to folks who knew nothing but rearing Russian immigrant parents in Newark, New animals. However, his destiny was to rule a Jersey. He grew up in a tenement and wantsuperpower, Egypt. He therefore had to go to ed to become a doctor. He couldn’t afford the house of the defense minister Portiphar, to the tuition, so he worked for his father as a get hands on executive experience and the abil- cabinet maker through Rutgers University to ity to resist temptation at the highest level. He earn a pharmacy degree. passed. He moved from there to prison to meet people connected to the source of power who Later, he worked at a drugstore as a pharmacould speak for him in the palace. He was pro- cist but became more interested in the busimoted. ness and retailing part of the business. He worked at a cosmetics company and various God had to prepare this 13 years of broken other retail jobs, eventually reaching a posidreams and humble circumstances in order to tion as a top executive with Handy Dan break every ounce of pride and self will. God Improvement Centers, a Los Angeles-based could not afford to have a 30-year-old steeped chain of home improvement stores. In 1978, in arrogance and pride running an entire nation. after a disagreement with his boss at Handy Do not forget he used to tell on his brothers.

Dan, he and Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank were both fired.

He understood what the period of dryness did for him. So much so that he could tell his brothers years later that although they meant evil ini- Together, with the help of New York investtially, God turned it around for it to work for the ment banker Ken Langone who assembled a good. You guys rather set me on the path to group of investors and business partner greatness when you thought you were killing Arthur Blank, they launched the highly sucthe dream. As a matter of fact, you ended up

The inventor of automobile made provision for the reverse gear; it allows a driver to backup if he is going the wrong direction, however, there are instances where a driver decides to put the gear in drive but it goes into reverse accidentally. Like unintended reverses in driving, there are many reverses in life. At times they are unavoidable; however, God can use those reverses to move you forward, if you partner with His Spirit.

Fact is you may never understand what God is doing until He is done with whatever He has up His sleeve.

Are you in the midst of a difficult journey that seems almost impossible to continue?

Be assured God is providing grace even now to equip you for that journey. There will be a time when you can say wow, look at what God has done. Consequently, you are encouraged to sit tight and see God’s salvation, no matter the evidence to the contrary.

God bless you!

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Ivory Coast:

Battle for Power At least 1,000 killed, one million fled since disputed election 9,000 UN peacekeepers monitor 2003 ceasefire World's largest cocoa producer Once haven of peace and prosperity in West Africa . Alassane Ouattara recognised as president-elect

Ouattara's Dates With History 1968: Begins work at the International Monetary Fund 1983: Becomes vice-governor of the Central Bank of West African States 1990: Becomes Ivory Coast's prime minister under President Felix Houphouet-Boigny 1995: Barred from running as a presidential candidate 2000: Again barred from running because of disputes over his nationality 2010: Wins presidential run-off against Laurent Gbagbo, according to the UN

Gbagbo's Dates With History 1971: Jailed for "subversive teaching" 1982: Exile in Paris after union activism 1988: Returns to Ivory Coast 1990: Defeated in elections 1992: Jailed after student protests 2000: Declared winner of disputed elections 2002: Failed coup divides Ivory Coast 2007: Agrees power-sharing government with former rebels 2010: Elections held five years later. Refuses to go after UN says he lost 2011: Forced from power

Laurent Gbagbo Source: BBCNEWS

Afrikan

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April

Culture and Arts - Profiles

2011

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AMA .K. ABREBRESE WINS BEST Gye Nyame African and ACTRESS AT THE 2011 AFRICAN Caribbean Restaurant Coming to MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS Dale City, Virginia the African Movie Academy Awards committee and Director, Leila Djansi respectively:

The day is finally coming for all African and Caribbean communities in Prince William County and the surrounding Counties. Your "I am extremly thankful to God, humbled and blessed to be the recepient of the 2011 Africa Movie desire to dine at a great and authentic African Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Restaurant has COME .

I would like to thank the AMAA organisers for this Gye Nyame African and Caribbean Restaurant Award and I thank Ms. Leila Djansi, for believing will soon be open at Center Plaza, right on in my capabilities and casting me for the role in Dale blvd , between Dale blvd and Minnieville 'Sinking Sands'. She is a great visionary filmaker intersection couple of blocks from Birago and a delight to work with. Portrayng the role of 'Pabi' in 'Sinking Sands' was an enlightening experi- international market. ence. I learnt a lot about myself and, the difficult subject of domestic abuse. The entire crew and cast that I worked with were amazing and I thank them, especially my co stars Jimmy Jean-Loius, Doris Sackitey and Yemi Blaq. I am extremly thankful to my wonderful family who keep me grounded and, support me in everything I do." - Ama .K. Abrebrese The African Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence of professionals in the African film industry, including Directors, Actors, and Writers. The awards are aimed at honouring and ACCRA, GHANA - Celebrated British TV promoting excellence in the African movie industry Presenter cum Actress, Ama K. Abrebrese was as well as uniting the African continent through arts the recepient of the Best Actress Award at the and culture. Since its inception in 2005, the AMAA 7th Annual African Movie Academy Awards.

Awards has become the most prestigeous and glamThe Ghanaian born Actress who was nominated ourous event in the African Entertainment Industry. for her outstanding performance in her role in 'Sinking Sands' emerged winner at the Awards Ms. Abrebrese is currently filming in Ghana Ceremony held on Sunday March 28th, 2011. starring alongside famed Hollywood Actress, Other nominees in the Category were Nigeria's Kimberly Elise. For more information about the Top Actress Genevieve Nnaji and Omoni Oboli. Award Winning Actress, please visit her official A post event Statement sent to JMG MEDIA RELATIONS from the Award winning actress who was absent at the Event, expressed her profound gratitude to the organizing body of

website : www.AmaKonline.com JMG MEDIA RELATIONS

Jackie Appiah And Nadia Buari At F.A.C.E List Awards In New York Lawson. For the Awards night, Jackie rocked a beautiful decorated sheath dress made by Ghanaian fashion label Jill-”Anne Marie Adoley Addo” and Nadia Buari was looking glamorous in a slinky black dress made by her mother “Mama Buari creation”.

I am on the same page with Nadia Buari today on her outfit, though not an Oscar Dela Renta, Nadia Buari looks stunning and simply. I love to see our sisters rock our Ghanaian labels and say so to that effect.

From the photos, I think Jackie Appiah has put on a bit of weight whiles Nadia Buari has on the other hand lost some few pounds. Jackie Appiah seems to put on weight quick and loses it quick as well…

Saturday, 27th March, 2011 brought some of our notable Africans together in New York for the 2011 Plush F.A.C.E List Awards In New Awards nominees for this year’s Face2Face Awards York. were Angelique Kidjo, Ngoli Onyeka Okafor, Lillian Blankson, Edward Armah and Bisola Bokoko.

In attendance from Ghana were Star Actress Jackie Appiah, Nadia Buari and Luckie PEACE FM

Our clean and relatively large seating area makes it ideal and condusive for bigger families who want to hang out in an African restaurant but could not do so because of their family size.

Just to keep you all in the loop, Gye Nyame will be offering delicious but affordable authentic African and Caribbean cuisines, and all foods plus cup of fountain drink (refillable if eating in) goes for If you are truly craving for delicious and of 8.99 + tax., whiles our delicious apetizers authentic African and Caribbean cuisines then for $1.99 + tax.

Gye Nyame should be your LAST STOP. Children under the age of 2 years will eat Those wanting to hang out on weekends and free if they are eating in the restaurant. think Washington DC is too far to drive to, We will also be doing delivery for food purthen we recommend Gye Nyame restaurant for chases of $15 and over for 10 mile radius.. you.

Gye Nyame also will be Catering for Parties, Outdoorings, Weddings, Baby Christenings.

Gye nyame will be providing live jazz entertainment for you on the Our premises are also available for renting weekends, all you got to do is to drive to Gye after work for Parties or Funerals at an Nyame restaurant and affordable fee. book a seat and relax......our professional instrumentalists will We offer NOT ON THE MENU Services ie TREAT you to a good jazz music that will any item we do not have on the soothen your heart and calm menu eg. sushi, chinese,taco,american, pizza soul. just talk to our experienced Chef and it will be prepared for you.

Gye Nyame will also provide free wifi internet services , hence a With Gye (EXCEPT) NYAME , EXCEPT great place for all professionals who are late you will not be hungry, but once you are on their assignments hungry you will ENJOY coming to GYE but still want to hang and dine out and finish NYAME. up their assignments after work hours.

STAY TUNE.D

Sierra Leonean Community and Hope International Church Golden Jubilee Dinner and Dance The Sierra Leonean Community in the DFW metroplex (Fort Worth, Arlington, Hurst, Keller, Bedford, Euless, Irving, Dallas and Grand Prairie) in partnership with HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH & MINISTRIES is once again celebrating in grand style the 50th Independence Anniversary with its GOLDEN JUBILEE DINNER & DANCE on April 23rd, 2011 at the Postal Union Hall beginning at 8 p.m.

There will be an Independence Thanksgiving service on Sunday,

April 24th at 10:30 a.m. at Hope International Church & Ministries.

Please come out in your hundreds to usher in a “Never-to-be-forgotten” Independence Dinner & Dance Mc’s Ben & Millicent Miller For more information, contact: Christian Foday Sesay Lansana Kaisamba Hannah Kaisamba Marian Abi James Robert James Teneh Clayton Doris Bangura Maria Jobe Jayne Jah Nancy Philips Ben Rogers Hawa Sisay Source : sierraexpressmedia.com

Afrikan

Post

April 2011

An Emerging Face in Nigerian Politics

Ken Anyika Onuoma Politics in Africa today is gradually assuming a new dimension. Today, middle level executives have developed the zeal and seen the need to make a difference in the lives of their people. There are vibrant and energetic people today who have developed a taste for change and with so much energy are pulling together forces to act as agents of change.

Out of Washington Dc has emerged one such dynamic leader in the person of Chief Ken Anyika Onuoma an Imo native who has been incensed by the dynamic leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan .

Chief Onuoma a Washington DC based business magnate and Chairman of the Governing Council / Board of trustees of the African movie producers association in the US spearheaded the formation of the Goodluck Entertainment Group International (GEG), a Diaspora non profit International group founded in January 2010 to drum support and do public relations campaign for HE President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria in appreciation of the tremendous recognition and support of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. Ken Onuoma has used his office as the leader of African movie producers association in USA to position GEG international as a formidable organization in North America and Europe Ken. Onuoma is currently working on expanding the scope of GEG int'l as major award giving body for the advancement of entertainment industry in Africa. This, he considers as a noble tribute to the man who has contributed so much to the entertainment community.

Chief Onuoma's love and commitment to his country is beyond limits and it is attested by the establishment of African spotlight organization in Nigeria, an African non-governmental organization offering free heath care and academic scholarships for poor rural communities in Nigeria. His ultimate goal is support visionary Nigerian leaders with the capacity to deliver on their reform agendas, tackle poverty and attract sustainable investment.

As the CEO OF Nigcamed International, an environmental friendly company, he is on records to have worked in collaboration with

federal ministries of health and environment to organize the first ever 3- day national seminar/workshop held in Abuja on the issue of proper disposal of hazardous hospital wastes and general discipline on waste management in Nigeria year . The seminar was organized for high profile stake holders and policy makers in the health and environmental sector with participants drawn from state commissioners, medical directors of hospitals - federal, state and private sector. This seminar brought together two senior officials of the US embassy, the former vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, the former governor of river state, Dr. Peter Odili who chaired the occasion.

The initiative was so overwhelming that the United States embassy in Nigeria wrote a special congratulatory letter to the CEO of Nigcamed International.

His record of public service in Nigeria dates back to 1996 when he served as national coordinator of the Nigeria youth organization (NYO) and was appointed as vice president six months later.

During his tenure as the vice president, he established a functional secretariat that brought accountability in all offices and departments from national to local governments, which enabled the organization to put in place a formidable structure that ran an organization of 50 million Nigeria youths successfully. This great organization has produced fine leaders of present day Nigeria.

As owner and CEO of African movie warehouse LLC USA Ken has within a short span of time earned the reputation as having the largest African movie distribution network in the USA and Canada.

The successful entrepreneur knows how to turn big dream into big things in a very responsible manner.

The University of Maryland graduate in International relations has visited 25 countries in his lifetime He boasts of a certificate in - export and shipping management from Yabatech and a degree in - business administration. B.sc. from Abia State University.

Ken, a devout Christian usually in a calm demeanor passionately speaks about prospects of building a new Nigeria where everyone would play a positive role to support the development of Nigeria.

As the North America coordinator of the Presidential Campaign council he is on a mission to travel across the length and breadth of America to promote the agenda and policies of the Goodluck / Sambo presidency as well as mobilize all Nigerians to play meaningful roles in the affairs of their beloved country.

Chief Onuoma's is on a mission and destined to walk in the corridors of power. From far away United States of America his political career has taken off. A new leader has emerged and Nigeria today is the winner and benefactor of such a visionary and enterprising campaigner for change.

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Nigerians in Diaspora Hail conduct of National Assembly Elections Nigerians living in the U. S. have commended the conduct of the National assembly elections, held in some parts of the country on Saturday, April 9.

Respondents, who spoke in New York, said the elections conducted by the INEC in thousands of polling unit across Nigeria were largely peaceful and free of the significant glitches of past elections.

The Nigerians said they relied on local media organisations that gave live multimedia reports of the elections from locations around the country.

Others said they kept tab with foreign media reportage of events and frequent telephone calls to contacts at home.

“I contacted people during accreditation and after voting from various parts of the country. The recurring expression was everything was going or went on smoothly,’’

the elections and people’s reaction whether their wishes were respected.

He cautioned that “if the will of the people is not respected, it undermines the advancement of democracy and the whole nation suffers.”

Mr Chris Malaka, a communication expert based in Maryland, described initial comments made by international observers on the election as very instructive.

“We saw some of the observers on national television commending the organisation of the election and turn out of voters despite the violence that preceded Saturday’s election.

“From all accounts, Nigeria has come of age and I think the process will continue to improve with time,’’ he said.

Dr. Acho Orabuchi, a Nigeria living in Dallas, Texas said.

From Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Ezekiel Macham, National president of Zumunta organisation, USA, a socio-cultural organisation, gave thumbed up to INEC for a job well done.

“However, there were pockets of violence in some areas in the nation depicting the cowardice of the perpetrators of those acts,’’ he said

“The election was not perfect, but it is getting better,’’ he said.

Orabuchi, described the awareness of the electorate as “unparalleled,’’ stressing that voters are “aware of the issues unlike in the past.’’

“People were eager to go out to vote without fear of pockets of violence, particularly the bomb blasts preceding the National Assembly elections,” he added.

Sir Basil Njoku, a Nigerian in New York, said initial assessments suggested that the April 9 elections were largely peaceful and free of the irregularities that have characterised the previous elections. “ But I believe that in the next few hours when the results are called we will know the true nature of

Macham said there were complaints of registered voters not finding their names on the registration lists and called on INEC to improve on some of the lapses recorded in last Saturday’s election.

Nigerians in the Diaspora cannot vote because the National Assembly had not passed the enabling law.

However, President Goodluck Jonathan during his two visits to U.S in April and September 2010 assured that Nigerians abroad would vote in the next general elections in 2015.

Source:Onlinenigeria.com

Afrikan Post News as it happens Visit us on the web www.afrikanpost.com www.ghanaianpost.com

April

Afrikan Post

2011

Page 36

NANA AFUA BEMAH (MS. GRACE GENFI) IS THE NEW ASANTEFUOHEMAAH OF THE ASANTEMAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK. The members of the association went to the polls on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Ghanata Hall ,Webster Avenue between 181 and 182 streets, Bronx a suburb of New York.

The elections had been postponed for several times due to some unforeseen circumstances.

After a very keen contest, Nana Afuah Bemah got 25 votes to beat her opponent; Ms. Mary Fobi who got 20 votes,.

At long last, the Asanteman Association of New York has elected Nana Afuah Bemah aka Ms.Grace Genfi as the new Queen Mother of the Association.

the electoral committee that comprises of Messrs Augustine Okyere,George Osei and Ms.Margret Adjoa Nyarko aka "ODENEHO NYAKO" for their efforts and professional attitudes in making sure that, a winner has emerged after a free and fair election devoid of any misunderstanding.

" I will at all times give out my total best and I am urging you all to bury your difference's, let us live as one people with one Vision , brain storm to move the Asanteman Association a higher level .

Nana Bemah noted that, the Asanteman Association is the winner today and we Addressing the Okokyeredom Acheampong should let Asanteman Association be a told members of the association, "we should let winner always " I will not hesitate to Peace,love,Godliness, commitment, dedication, consult, when the need arises , my doors respect, self discipline and forgiveness be our are widely open for constructive criticism guiding principle and continue to up-hold the and advice that will let the Association be spirit of Unity " a vibrant one and win more laurels"

Ms. Fobi who conceded defeat in good faith, pledged her unflinching support to the winner and urged her supporters to do the same. She said, "for the sake of Asanteman and Ghana, I am willing to give out my best whenever I am called to do The Asantefuohene of New York urged the members to do away withnegative actions that so. I harbor no ill feelings against any one.� will tarnish the image of the Association,, Some of the members shed Tears, Joy, Excitement "We should all join hands in moving the train and amidst of clapping from the memebers who to support the Asanteman Association, so that were at the meeting,when the 2 contestants were we can go back for our past glory since the seen hugging each other after the declaration of Association is for all of us and I am appealing the results and a healthy hands shake to say to to you not to do any thing that will drag our each other " let us go for Peace,Love ,and Unity , name into the mud" the Asantefuohene of United we stand, divvied we fall . Unity is New York noted. strength."

The Asantefuohne of New York, Okokyeredom The newly elected Asantefuohemaah of New Tieku Owoahene Acheampong on behalf of the York, Nana Afua Bemah on her part thanked Association expressed his profound gratitude to the members for the confidence reposed in her

Present to grace the colorful event were some Council of Elders, Nana Abena Manu, the immediate past Asantefuohemaah of the Association , Dr Victor Anning, Nana Yaw Amoh and Mr Daniel Adjei aka Kuwait a shipping magnet in New York.

FROM : PRINCE OSEI BONSU , BRONX NEW YORK - USA.

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April 2011

Page 38

“Dark is Lovely” Young Ladies & Women’s Mentoring Group Launch Dark is lovely, an Alexandria based organization that seeks to see more women and men embrace the belief that Dark is Lovely was launched at the Mount Vernon high School in Alexandria Virginia in March, 2011.

The organization was founded by Ms. Adoma Adae, a graduate of Longwood Universtiy . Ms. Adoma started Dark is Lovely after her first trip to Ghana in 2007. While in Ghana she met a lot of women who were light in complexion but noticed other parts of their bodies looked dark. She probed into this and discovered that most of these women had bleached their skin. To her low esteem and and confidence were the cause of their action taken to bleach their skins. On her return to the United States she conducted some research and discovered that many other groups of color have bleached their skin for various reasons . Her goal is to help women understand thast loving your self is not something that can be taught but it is something to be learned.Ms. Adoma Adae shares the belief that there is nothing wrong with having a dark skin tone and that women should learn to accept and love how they are (size, skin and height).

Dark is lovely therefore has a vision to see women and men embrace the belief that being dark is not a bad thing but absolutely lovely . Their mission is to develop confident , motivated and career oriented ladies through mentorship, networking and event planning.

The launching was held at the Mount vernon high School with over 60 people in attendance .

After a special performance by the SACC cheerleaders the event started with a special address by Ms. Adoma Addae who gave the vision of the organization , folowed by Ms. Rosa Combs a Howard university graduate and Founder of the Women’s empowerment Social group. (WES-G) . other speakers included Ms Vernita Carter and the keynote address was delivered by Pastor Dawn Harvey.

Ms. Fey, Akua Adae, and Hope Nevins

Ms. Adoma Adae-Founder and President of Dark is lovely In.c

Ms. Rosa Combs-Founder -Women’s Empowerment Social Group

Tina and Trina Fletcher -Dream girls mentoring program

Vanessa Manford- Event Host

Ms. Christina Patterson, Senior Advisor

SACC cheerleaders performing at the event

A cross section of the audience

P

April

Top Ten: Anglo-African football showdowns England 1- 0 Egypt / 1990 World Cup England 3- 2 Cameroon / 1990 World Cup

Adebayor turns down chance to return for Togo ing with Real Madrid and I am not returning to the Togo squad for the game.”

England 2- 2 Cameroon / International / 2002 South Africa 1-2 England / International / 2003

The Togo Football Federation (TFF) had hoped former captain Adebayor, on loan at Real Madrid from Manchester City, would join the national team for the game.

England 2-0 Cameroon / International / 1991 England 3- 1 Egypt / International Friendly / 2010 England 1- 0 Nigeria / International / 1994 England 0-0 Algeria / 2010 World Cup England 2- 1 South Africa / International / 1997 England 1-1 Ghana / 2011 England 2- 0 Cameroon / International / 1997

Virginia Black Star to Join America Soccer league in Arlington.

Open Recruitment 20-40 Years Interested Players should call For Further Information Call Jerry Wiafe 703-786-7070 Osei Tawiah 703-229-2429 Sylvester Agyeman 571-423-9723 Dennis Duku 571-405-8098 Sulley Yusif 571-201-7406 Kofi Sakyi 571-431-9388 Kwame Ahenkorah (Phobia) 571-436-7929 Paapa Ameyaw 571-315-4848 Caesar 571-278-9775 Alhaji Danso 240-461-1241 Kofi Oppong (Capito) 703-459-3937 RolandBoateng 571-332-8966 Kwame Asomaning 571-234-2025

By John Zodzi LOME (Reuters) – Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor turned down the chance to come out of international retirement saying he would not face Malawi despite being named in the squad for the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier.

Adebayor quit international soccer last April, explaining he was haunted by events at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola where his team’s bus was ambushed.

“I did not make promises that I am returning to the squad for the game in Malawi,” the BBC quoted Adebayor as saying after he was named in a 22-man squad for Saturday’s match.

“It’s important that he returns to the team. Steps are being made in the right direction (for Adebayor to) show his patriotism,” TFF president Gabriel Ameyi was quoted as saying by w.togofootballnews.com.

2011

Page 39

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“He has told me to send the invitation. That’s what we did.”

The TFF has put former coach Stephen Keshi in temporary charge for Saturday’s match, with Ameyi telling Reuters the search would then begin for a permanent successor to Frenchman Thierry Froger, who resigned earlier this month.

Fr a n cis B oanoh Gr aphic s and Onl i ne News Edi tor w w w.afri kanpost. com

“Keshi, of course, may apply if he wishes,” Ameyi said.

e mail:boanoh@ gmai l . com

It is the third time Keshi has taken the reins, having also engineered their surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals.

C har le s N tiamoah Ni mo-Mensah (Mr. CNN) C o- Publ i sher

He lost his job before that tournament after clashing with Adebayor “If I was heading for the game in in front of reporters at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.

Malawi I would have long gone…I have just finished train-

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