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This British Ghanaian beauty likes to socialize, organize events, cook, read and travel however she dislikes pets particularly cats and dogs. We discovered in our chat that she is “very insecure about her weight”. Even beauty queens have something they are insecure about!

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A FACE OF AN AFRICAN BEAUTY

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CONTENTS The Vlisco Way P.101

Dangote (2nd from left), has $14 billion reasons to smile P.20-21

D E PA R T M E N T S FACE OF AN AFRICAN BEAUTY LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER YOUR LETTERS/TEAM RELIGION The Greatest Faith of all is in the Blood of Jesus Christ AT THE UN Ghana Participate in High Level HIV/AIDS Declaration Africa’s First Ladies Grace UN HIV/Aids Gathering National Council of Women of the United States Distinguished Leadership and Achievement Awards Luncheon RELATIONSHIPS Will You Marry Me?10 Ways to Go From Girlfriend to Wife BUSINESS Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria African Wealthiest DID U KNOW/ Q&A THE DEBATE Ghana Donated US $3 million to Haiti INFO ONLINE The Distinguished Urban Society Trends on Social Media…FACEBOOK HEALTH Stress and Ways to Cope with It Body Fitness Tips IMMIGRATION All You Need To Know About Advance Parole COVER The Vlisco Way AFRICAN SPOT-LIGHT UP-CLOSE with Designer Kwab Asamoah as he opens a shop in Accra TRAVEL PEMBA -An Island Get Away REAL ESTATE When to Buy and When to Rent AUTOMOBILE The LFA Series A New Breed of Lexus SPORTS Is Michael Essien Giving It All to His Motherland?

$375,000 New breed of Lexus P.120

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2 10 12 14 16,18,19

17

20-21 22

24-25 26 27,114-115 29 101-107 110 112 113 120 122

Hon. Kennedy Agyapong recieves the President's Award at the DONDO African Achievement Gala P.67

Mr. George Ntim Host Ghana Sport Stars At Marriot Marquis Hotel

FEATURES

CONTENTS

SPECIAL FEATURES BET Awards: The Gateway for African Music Acts DONDO African Achievement Gala Councilmember Helen D. Foster Talks about Representing You Former Ghana Leader Shares Food Prize Win War on Terrorism: A New Frontier in West Africa?

FEATURE

Oghene weds Portia P.50-54

Zetas Helping Others to Excel (Z-HOPE) HEALTH CLINIC DEDICATION The crowning of Miss Universe Ghana 2011

African Fashion Week New York 2011

Ghana Meets Naija Concert

P.89-91

Faces and Fashion at Mirror Boy Ghana Premiere Ghanafest in Cincinnati, Ohio Award winning film maker, Leila Djansi CONSUMNER REPORT

30-31 67-83 116 100

118-119 23 92-93 94-95

96-97

98-99

108-109 28

Ensure Your Cellular Phone Safety WEDDING

The Star Studded Wedding Ceremony of Mr. & Mrs. Agyekum

39-45

Portia and Oghene Wedding Ceremony

50-54

Emmanuel J.P. Banson & Jacqueline Mclean’s Engagement

46-49

Bishop Allotey’s 50th Birthday Celebrations

32-35

ENGAGEMENT BIRTHDAY

Irene Asante’s 50th Birthday Bash Amy McNish Birthday Celebrations

OUTDOORING

Cheryl Adowa Gyamfua Buckman’s Outdooring Raven Owusu Ansah Outdooring Extravaganza Baby Essence Yaa Boatemaa Bruce’s Outdooring THE BIG PICTURE

Sam Tuga & Associates Boat Party- 2011 EVENTS

Rob Definition Annual All White Party July 4 Weekend Rob Definition Annual All Black Party July 4 Weekend

FASHION

SASSi Ladies Fashion Show and Dance African Fashion Week New York 2011

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36-37

38-39 54-56 57-61

64-66 62-63 85 86-88 89-91

PUBLISHER’S LETTER B

y now I am certain you all agree that the summer of 2011 has been fun-packed and turbulent at the same time: and we still have a month till the official end of the season.

So let’s reflect on the issues that have made this summer what it is. Politically, the ongoing situation in North Africa is a top of the list issue for all concerned Africans (turbulent). Then there was the independence of Southern Sudan which was a historic moment for the Sudanese people and the rest of the continent (something to cheer about after all the bad news, fun). Finally, there was the NDC presidential nomination election result in Ghana which produced a shocking end to Nana Konadu’s presidential aspirations (could be fun or turbulent depending on who is analyzing). Socially, there was the ever-growing in popularity BET Awards featuring some of Africa’s music giants competing for the BET Best International Act; Africa category (fun). Then there was the immensely popular Big Brother reality series in Ghana and it’s climatic season ending(fun), and finally the first ever visits to the U.S. by some big name African celebrities including the Black Star’s Asamoah Gyan (3G Sports Awards Night) and HipLife/Rap Superstar Sarkodie (Sarkodie Live in NYC Concert) (fun, fun).

In this issue, I am particularly excited about our cover story, The Vlisco Way. Vlisco is a Dutch company and the leading Wax Hollandais manufacturer in the world. Their product, authentic Wax Hollandais fabric, is as much a part of the Africa community as any African.

Since its inception in 1846, Vlisco has been an integral part of the African community, manufacturing Wax Hollandais fabrics worn by female members of African families for generations. Simply put, if you are an African, you probably have seen your mother, aunt, sister, or female cousin wear an authentic Vlisco fabric.

The Vlisco brands have been evolving to stay at par with generational change while maintaining its legacy and authenticity throughout the years and it is in the process of transforming its operations in Africa to the next level. This is why this cover story is dynamic: A company whose fabrics have become an essential part of the African elegance and lifestyle and yet unrelenting in its efforts to raise the bar to meet the rich demands of its African clientele. Congratulations to the Vlisco Group for leading the way in co-creation, authentic Wax Hollandaise manufacturing, and fashion in Africa.

In addition to our cover story, we have featured a diverse coverage of lifestyle events from numerous states across the U.S. as well as business, social, and entertainment articles to keep you glued onto the pages until the next issue.

Finally my goal for this issue is to inform and enlighten you on a broad range of substantive topic matters that you can find useful in your daily lives and I believe we have achieved that. I certainly hope you agree. Now while it is great to have achieved this goal, it is important to know that DONDO Magazine remains committed to not deviate from our tradition of featuring your special events in our publication. We are a publication who takes pride in showcasing your story and lifestyle and we will remain as such.

Let me end by encouraging you to keep your comments and thoughts coming. I love to read your feedback and look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible.

Till the next issue, stay blessed.

Michael Adjei Michael Adjei

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DONDO The Essential African Lifestyle Magazine

TEAM

YOUR LETTERS

Dear Editor, I cannot understand why there are so many pictures in your magazine. I know pictures can tell a story just like writings can but I am sure your readers can be impacted more positively by reading rather than looking at pictures. I have been an advent DONDO customer since 2000 and I love this magazine but I think it’s time to have more editorials than photos.

A concerned reader Dear Editor, It was wonderful to read about some of the accomplished African actors doing well in Hollywood. I’m an African-American woman engaged to a Nigerian man. My relationship with my husband has thought me how affectionate and passionate African men are and so I was not surprised to read about these African Hollywood leading men. To be successful in everything you do you must care and be passionate about it. Since my husband shows lots of passion in every aspect of our relationship, I trust the African stars have a lot of passion for their career. And let me add that that Chiwetel (Ehiofor) is one good-looking man, as good looking as my husband.

Sheryl Dear Editor, Thank you so much for your article on how to pass a job interview. I recently lost my job, actually the company folded under the economic downturn in late 2008. I picked up your magazine when I visited a friend in Springfield, Mass and found your article. As usual, I thought this is just another article in a magazine whose tips will never amount to anything even if I practiced what it preached. Well much to my surprise some of the tips I read worked and helped me land my current job. For example, I remembered the tip about not having a “smiley face” when attending a job interview. I applied it at an interview and low and behold, I got the job. My Director, who hired me on the third and final interview, told me days after she hired me that one of the reasons she hired me was because I was not smiling at every answer. She explained that all the other candidates were smiling too much and that was a sign of nervousness and lack of sincerity. I did not smile excessively because your article advised against being a smiley face. I had it wrong in all the previous interviews but I nailed this because I read this article. Thanks a million.

DONDO rocks!!

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Publisher / Editor-In-Chief Michael K. Adjei Editorial Director Ernest Marbell

Marketing Ngozi Mba

Executive Director Yvonne Okyere-Adjei

Creative Director Henry Ayensu

Contributing Editors Kwabena Adade, Ameyaw Debrah Abena Asante, Jonathan Weiss

Features Editor Tony Hagan

Graphic Design (Cre8ive House)

Photography John Oko Nyaku Ameyaw Debrah FotoLinks

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RELIGION

The Greatest Faith of all is in the Blood of Jesus Christ

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By Kwabena Adade

he only thing that has the power to cleanse away sin is the blood of Jesus Christ.

Christians understand the significance of the blood of Jesus Christ. According to Genesis 12:1-3, God made a covenant (connector) with Abraham, telling him ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee, and make thy name great and thou shalt be a blessing and I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee: And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.’

For the many non Jewish Christians, God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham means many things to their faith. For one, it means that they are not promised the rights to the blessings God extended to Abraham and his linage. It also means that they are cursed from entering God’s kingdom on judgment day.

The blood of Jesus Christ changes all of that.

The blood of Jesus is the connector: the only avenue in which a non Jewish Christian can enter into a covenant with God. When Jesus Christ, the son of God, was crucified on the cross, the very purpose of God’s plan was to use his blood to extend

the Abrahamic covenant to non Jewish Christians. This plan took effect the moment Jesus Christ said on the cross, “It is finished.” By uttering these words, Jesus Christ was referring to the Abrahamic covenant becoming available to everyone who by faith, believes in His blood.

To fully understand the purpose of the blood of Jesus Christ, it is important to understand the principals of man. Every man is born of natural birth i.e. birth as a result of an intercourse between man and woman. When born by natural birth, this also means you are born as a direct descendant of Adam and Eve, the first humans on earth whose sin committed in the Garden of Eden, affects all humans born after them. (Jesus Christ was born by supernatural birth and as such is not a direct descendant of Adam and Eve).

The sin also means in order for man to enter the Kingdom of God, they must repent to receive God’s salvation. In order to repent, Christians must be born again and once you become a born again Christian, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. At the completion of these steps, the blood of Jesus Christ shall come onto you and wash away your sins clearing the way for you to receive God’s salvation.

The blood of Jesus will open the door for you to have fellowship with God. Since DONDO

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God is so pure, He cannot connect with (man) covered in sin. In his eyes, sin is dirt and dirt cannot be around Him. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, this dirt (sin) will be washed away, turning you into a pure state that will allow you to fellowship with God. As Christians you must believe in the blood of Jesus Christ and know how to appropriate it in your life. There should be a clear understanding of how merciful God is to send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die and shed his blood so that you can receive salvation. There should be complete confidence in knowing that through the blood of Jesus Christ you have direct communications with God and that God will answer your prayers at all times. There should be assurances in your faith that through the blood of Jesus Christ your salvation will not be based on earthly acts such as how much money you have or give, how much humanitarianism you do, etc. No one can buy God’s salvation for you. Your salvation has been bought with the blood of Jesus. As such, the only thing you must do is to simply accept Jesus, repent, and have faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and you shall be saved from the eternal fire of hell.

Christians live by faith and there is no greater faith than that in the blood of Jesus Christ: the greatest faith of all.

AT THE UN

Ghana Conusl General to the US, H.E. Ernest Lomotey address gathering

Ghana Ambassador to the UN, H.E. Mr Ken Kanda with Vice President Mahama

Ghana Vice President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama address Ghanaians in New York

Ghana Participate in High Level HIV/AIDS Declaration

By Kwabena Adade Photos by John Oko Nyaku

T

he Vice-President of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama, led a delegation from Ghana to the recent High Level meeting on a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declaration on HIV/AIDS at the United Nations in New York on June 8, 2011.

In his address to the gathering heads of governments, health experts, diplomats, and United Nations panel, Vice-President Mahama reaffirmed that Ghana aligns itself with the statements by the African states and joined other countries in 2001 and 2006 to commit to the declarations on HIV and Aids.

He noted that HIV/AIDS is a key component of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (2010-2016) and is accorded a high level political commitment and leadership with the Ghana AIDS Com-

Ghanaians at town hall meeting

mission placed directly under the Office of the President.

Ghana is among the 29 African countries the World Health Organization (WHO) reported to have reduced prevalence of HIV/AIDS over the past decade. According to WHO, the national prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Ghana has declined from a national high of 3.6% in 2003 to 1.5% in 2010. Prevalence among persons 15-24 years has equally reduced from 3.5% in 2003 to 1,5% in 2010.

The Vice-President attributed these achievements to a program called “Towards Universal Access-Ghana’s Comprehensive Antiretroviral Therapy Plan” which has resulted in the number of persons on antiretroviral therapy in Ghana to increase from 6,000 in 2006 to over 58,000 by March 2011.

The Vice-President admitted that for Ghana to fully achieve its goals of zero transmis-

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sion of new HIV infections in children by 2015, there is the need to invest in improving the country’s weak health system. He added that the rural poor and the poor in peri-urban slams are the most vulnerable to HIV and they are the ones without access to treatment and care.

Mr. Mahama reported that Ghana is expanding the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative as a strategy to reach out to all communities with needed basic services.

The Vice-President concluded by asking for technological support to assist in implementing Ghana’s goals as well as reductions in cost of anti-retroviral medicines to support the country’s efforts towards universal coverage. He equally reiterated Ghana’s calls for prevention as the mainstay of the fight against HIV and especially zero transmission to children.

Section of Ghanaians at town hall meeting

RELATIONSHIP

Will You Marry Me? 10 Ways to Go From Girlfriend to Wife

W

By Abena Asante

ith the wedding season fast upon us, most women who have yet to succeeded in having their men put a ring on their finger are hoping that come next year, they too will be walking down the aisle. Every woman wants to go from girlfriend to wife at some stage in her life, however there is no one formula to sealing the deal to become a wife. The strategy on how to handle a man who does not want to put a ring on your finger varies. We discovered in the book ‘Men Don’t Heal, We Ho’ by author Steven James, 10 useful tips that can help women handle going from girlfriend to wife.

Be Godly Woman

James describes the Bible as a “relationship handbook.” A Godly woman reads the Bible, follows it and lives by it. A Godly woman refers to the word from the Bible when her man is weak and falls prey to temptation. When the devil tries to attack your relationship, he will back down when he finds you as a Godly woman.

Be His Biggest Fan

If women need love, men need their ego’s stroked. Men like to feel “The Man” in a relationship. According to James, tell your man he is a good man, that you are lucky to have him, that he is special and better than you thought. If a man does not feel like a

man, he is not going to be a good man.

Challenge Him

A Man will not respect you if he doesn’t have to. James says that “a man is not going to do the right thing unless he knows that if he does the wrong thing it will be met with repercussions and consequences.”

Watch His Momma Do What She Does According to James, you do not have to be your man’s mother but you should try to be in her likeness.

Stay on your Tippy Toes

Be Independent

You should be independent, not just financially, but also an independent thinker overall. Know what is best for you rather than depending on someone’s advice and never change your core person because you are in a relationship.

Be the Freakiest Person He Knows

One of a man’s conversations with his friends is about sex. Be adventurous and exciting. If a man finds that at home he will not go out to look for it elsewhere. Never let your man wish for something sexual. Be everything he wishes for.

Women who get comfortable and lazy on their men and think he is going to marry you because you have been together for a few years often wait the longest to get the ring on the finger. James says women should get smarter, finer, and be better because men want to see growth in their women and also as want to be excited about who they will be with in the future.

Nurture your man often. James says you can talk sweet to your man and whisper sweet nothings in his ear. Little things like hugging and holding him, squeezing him can make all the difference.

Be a Woman All Day, Everywhere

Turn His House into a Home

Do not let your man take advantage of you.

Have respect, pride, and dignity for yourself and your man will have the same for you. Be sexy, sweet, sassy, feminine and most of all, womanly, according to James.

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Nurture Him

Most men do not understand that a house is not a home without certain touches. A woman who brings all the touches that makes a house a home is likely to have a ring on the finger.

AT THE UN

AFRICA’S FIRST LADIES GRACE UN HIV/AIDS GATHERING

S

By Jonathan Weiss Photos by John Oko Nyaku

ome of Africa’s first Ladies accompanied their husbands to New York City to attend the UN High Level Meeting on a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declaration on HIV/AIDS.

More than 30 Heads of State, Government and Vice Presidents attended the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS which was held from June 8th to 10th in New York City. The meeting closed with the adoption of a landmark political declaration, setting bold targets for the global AIDS response.

DONDO lens captured these behind the scenes images of the continents first ladies who stand by the side of their husbands to lead Africa.

First Ladies of Nigeria and Niger

First Lady of Senegal and Niger, Viviane Wade and Hadjia Laraba Tandja

First Lady of Guinea, Ms Djene Kaba Condá

Nigeria First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan with the wife of UN Sec. General, Ban Soon-taek

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First ladies of Niger and Gabon Hadjia Laraba Tandja and Sylvia Bongo Ondimba

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AT THE UN

NCW.USA President Mary E. Singletary with 2011 NCW.USA Eminent Leaders Honorees

National Council of Women of the United States Distinguished Leadership and Achievement Awards Luncheon

T

Photos by John Oko Nyaku

he National Council of Women of the United States (NCW USA) held a luncheon to honor eminent leaders and their organizations for outstanding vision, advocacy and implementation of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals at the United Nations Church Center on May 25th, 2011.

The Awards Luncheon also was in observance of the 100 Annual International Women’s Day and the end of violence against women and girls.

The keynote speaker was the Honorable Sheila Oliver, Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly whose address centered on the role of “Empowerment of Women” in society.

Keynote Speaker, The Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly

The 2011 Honorees are: Honorable Sheila Y. Oliver, MS Yao N;Goran, MA, BA

Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly Chief of the Civil Society and Outreach Unit, Division for Social Policy and Development, Dept of Economic and Social Affairs (DSPD) Leslie Wright NGO Activist for Women’s Empowerment Dr. Kathryn Malven, PhD Chairman of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority National Educational Foundation Inc. and President /CEO of Malsedge View Homes/Owner of Strethen Publishing Company Diane E. Toppin Director of Finance and Administration, Office of Behavioral Health for New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) Joanna Loveless International President of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Dr. Marcella Maxwell , Ed, D Designated NGO for the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Brenda L. Galloway Smith, PhD, MA, BS NGO Rep. to the UN, World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women Benjamin DoDoo Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Council of Ghanaian Association Sylvan M. Barnet Jr. Rotary International Rep. to the U.N. Abaynesh Asrat Founder, Nation to Nation Networking Ltd. Rose Ivy Quarshie Executive Secretary General, National Council of Ghanaian Associations Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS Global Health Program Director, New York Medical College School of Public Health Denise Scotto, Esq. Attorney, Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York Dr. Ann Beaudis, PhD, MM Maryknoll NGO rep. with ECOSOC accreditation at the U.N. Nana Fosu Randall, MBA Chief Financial Officer, Peace Keeping Forces, U.N.

Dr. Kathryn Malvern PhD (c) with other eminent leaders DONDO

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Ghanaian Honorees Ivy Quarshie MPA, Dr. Benjamin Doodo, and Nana Fosu Randall, MBA

ia r e ig N d n a , a ic r f A Egypt, South

BUSINESS

t s e i h t l a e W n a Afric T

By Kwabena Adade

he 2011 Forbes List of the wealthiest people in the world was released earlier this year and surprisingly, this year’s list produced many firsts including two records; a record number of billionaires on the list, 1,210, and a record for the total combined wealth, USD$4.5 trillion.

An impressive number of African billionaires contributed to this staggering global wealth. A total of 14 African billionaires, an increase of 3 billionaires from the 2010 list, made it on this year’s list. Billionaires from Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria, summed up the total

Aliko Dangote Mohamed Al Fayed Africans on this year’s list.

According to the coveted list, Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote is the wealthiest person in Africa with an estimated net worth of $13.8billion. His fortune also places him as the 51st wealthiest person in the world, one spot wealthier than Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and many spots ahead of other well known billionaires including Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump.

No.1 The 53 years old Dangote made his money from interest in sugar, flour milling, salt processing, textiles, real estate, oil, gas, and cement. As the first Nigerian billionaire, Dangote’s fortune grew 557% over last year as a result of listing Dangote Cement which allowed his investments across Africa to be added with Benue Cement, a company that constitute a quarter of Nigeria’s Stock Exchange total market cap. As a birthday gift for himself, Dangote recently purchased a Bombardier aircraft for $45 million.

No.2 Nick Oppenheimer & Family South Africa’s richest person is the second wealthiest African on the Forbes list with an estimated net worth of USD$7 billion. He places 136 overall in the world. Oppenheimer amassed his wealth as chairman of De Beers diamonds, and significant interests in the gold mining company, Anglo American pic. He also owns Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, the largest private game reserve in South Africa.

No. 3 Nassef Sawiris Forbes places Sawiris, the youngest son of Onsi, Egypt’s richest person and the third wealthiest African. He is also the 182nd wealthiest person in the world. He built his personal fortune after taking over Orascom’s construction and fertilizer sector in the late 90’s and sold its cement business in 2007 to French company Lafarge where he owns stake and sits on the board. He is also the largest shareholder in Texas Industries.

No. 4 Johann Rupert & Family With a networth of USD$4.8 billion, Rupert is South Africa’s second richest person and the third wealthiest African in the world. He is 219 overall on Forbes world’s wealthiest list. He made his money from a diverse portfolio of businesses including Richmont, the Swiss luxury group that owns Cartier, Dunhill, Chloe bags, and MontBlanc pens. Rupert also owns Rupert & Rothschild and L’Ormarins wine estates, one of South Africa’s exclusive golf clubs.

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No. 5

Nahuib Sawiris If you noticed this name on the list, you are correct. Nahuib Sawiris the eldest son of Onsi and the older brother of Nassef Sawiris, the third person on this list. Nahuib Sawiris is Egypt’s second wealthiest person after his younger brother, Nassef with an estimated net worth of USD$3.5 billion. This makes him the 310th richest person on Forbes List of wealthiest people in the world. He is the head of Wind Telecom, a mobile service provider in Africa, South Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.

No. 6

Patrice Motsepe Net Worth: USD$3.4 billion

Nation: South Africa

Onsi Sawiris Net Worth: USD$2.9 billion

Nation: Egypt

Mike Adenuga Net Worth: USD$2.0 billion

Nation: Nigeria World Ranking: 595

Source: Telecom, Banking, Oil, Self

Mohamed Mansour Net Worth: USD$2.0 billion

Nation: Egypt

World Ranking: 595

Source: Diversified, Self made

Yasseen Mansour Net Worth: USD$1.9 billion

Nation: Egypt

World Ranking: 692

Source: Diversified, Self made

Youssef Mansour Net Worth: USD$1.8 billion

Nation: Egypt

World Ranking: 693

Source: Diversified, Self made

Christoffel Wiese Net Worth: USD$1.6 billion

Nation: South Africa

Samih Sawiris Net Worth: USD$1.4 billion

Nation: Egypt

World Ranking: 879

Source: Hotel, Inheritance

Mohamed Al Fayed & Family Net Worth: USD$1.2 billion

Nation: Egypt

World Ranking: 993

Source: Retail, Self made

No. 7 No. 8 No. 9

No. 10 No. 11

No. 12 No. 13 No. 14

Mike Adenuga

World Ranking: #336

World Ranking: 393

Source: Construction, Self made

World Ranking: 782

Nassef Sawiris

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Source: Mining, Self made

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Source: Retail, Self made

Patrice Motsepe

DiduKnow...

Did u Know…

that the best form of investing is to invest in industries that you are familiar with. One of our generation’s savviest investors and the second richest man in the world, Warren Buffet, made this very case by referring to a “circle of competence” in investing.

Buffet pointed out that the size of your investment circle (portfolio) is irrelevant and that the only thing that matters in investing is to have well defined lines and a good understanding of the companies within your sphere. This kind of focused expertise will lead you to better decision making particularly at times when the stocks are irrationally high or low. For instance, when investors panic and sell in a bear market, you will know better and will hang in there and will end up buying stocks at fire-sale prices. Knowledge is power even in investing, so tighten your belt and do your homework on the companies and industries you want to invest in before you take the plunge.

Did u Know…

That Ghana is the fastest growing economy in the world. A new research conducted by EconomyWatch.com and released on July 20, 2011 ranks Ghana as the fastest growing economy in the world.

The fact comes from an annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) data tracker of Gross Domestic Product in constant prices in the national currency (Not converted into US Dollars).

QnA

Q. I bought my house in 2006. I am current on my payments,

however because of some personal reasons, I cannot continue to make my mortgage payment anymore. Furthermore, I have just discovered that I do not have equity in the property. How do I rid myself from the mortgage?

A. You are like millions of homeowners in America today. You bought your home at the height of the bubble and now you have discovered that your home is worth substantially less than you borrowed from the bank. The first thing you should know is that there are not many worthwhile options for you right now. You should contact your lender and ask them to modify your loan.

The process may be extensive and tedious however if you like your home and want to live there then this is the best option. Borrowers who expect to live in their home for the next 5 or more years should definitely contact their lender for a loan modification because you will see a rebound in the housing market around this time. You may also ask your bank to put your home up for short-sale. If you do this, your credit score will be negatively impacted. In addition, your bank may come after the balance of your sale that falls ‘short’ albeit this is rare. Finally, you may allow your house to slip into foreclosure but this should be the absolute last result.

Q. How do I know if my credit score is good?

A. In the United States, your credit score is the single most rel-

evant indicator of your credit worthiness. With a good to excellent credit score, you can borrow money at a much lower interest rate. Credit scores that are regarded fair or poor costs you much more to borrow money from banks. Even more relevant, companies in the U.S. are looking at credit scores to make hiring decisions. According to the consumer advocacy website Credit.com, employers look at credit reports to determine an applicant’s level of responsibility. According to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, Trans union), an excellent credit score is any score above 750. A good credit rating is any score between 680 and 749. A credit score in the mid 600’s is considered fair and a score below 620 is considered poor.

Many have described China as the fastest growing economy in the world poised to unseat the US as the largest economy in the world. Well, the latter of that statement is true if the issue is on volume, however, on a percentage scale, Ghana is outpacing every country on the planet with an economic indicator of 20.146% expected growth. By comparison, China ranks fourth with a 9.908% GDP growth expectancy.

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T

Zetas Helping Others to Excel (Z-HOPE) HEALTH CLINIC DEDICATION

he National Council of Women of the United States (NCW.USA) on July 8th, 2011, unveiled a newly constructed Health Clinic at the Afua Kobi Ampem Girls Senior High School in Traboum, the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Under the distinguished patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the official opening ribbon cutting ceremonies were performed by Mary E. Singletary, President, National Council of Women of the United States and International Coordinator, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Ayke Mpemhene (Aike Mphimhene) Aduse Opoku represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu II.

Delivering the Asantehene’s message, Nana Aduse Opoku stated that Otumfuo ‘gives thanks to Nana Traboum for giving the school this land,” and that NCW.USA were “using it wisely.” Otumfuo also thanked the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority - Z-HOPE - for all that they have been doing for the school, and that he is “very grateful for the generosity toward the ‘Afua Kobi Girls Senior High School’,” which was named in honor

The benefactor of the health clinic is Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Ashantene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II thanks for service to: Mary E. Singletary, President,National Council of Women/USA International Coordinator, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

Health Center, Afua Kobi Girls School

Delivering message from Ashantene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Left (under umbrella): Akyempehene Aduse Opuku, Chairman, Bd of Directors Right- Div. Chairman - PTA Chairman, Nana Ceyawu Nantwi DONDO

of his mother.

The school’s Parents Teachers Association chairperson, Nana Gyawu Nantwi contributed, saying “We as parents are very happy for today’s occasion. We as parents say, ‘We are so thankful to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, that we may go forward with strength. We will always remember Mary Singletary for the support given to contract this Health Center, and my thanks also to all the PTA parents.’

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Left: Akyempehene Aduse Opoku, Chairman, Bd. of Directors Hon. Justice Dennis Adjei, Supreme Court Right: Mary E. Singletary, President, National Council of Women/USA International Coordinator, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

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THE DEBATE

Ghana Donated US

$3 million to Haiti

Haiti presidential palace before and after earthquark

following the Earthquake in that country in 2010. Was Ghana Financially Sound Enough to Pledge such a Large Amount?

W

By Ernest Marbell

hen Haiti was hit by a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earth quake on January 12, 2010, the better side of humanity was shown to the Haitian people including messages of condolences, financial and technical support and sheer empathy. The Haitian government reported then that between 217,000 and 230,000 people were identified dead, 300,000 people estimated injured, and 3 million people displaced.

Since then, Mother Nature has not been kind to its inhabitants across the globe. Our memories are still fresh with the more recent Japan earthquake in June 2011. Again, citizens across the globe rallied behind Japan to demonstrate their shared destiny.

Responding to these crises, millions of dollars have been raised by nation states, celebrities, Hollywood, millionaires, refugees among others to support the Haitian government to deal with the disaster while physical, technological, and moral support was extended to the Japanese government to deal with their disaster.

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Ghana made headlines in 2010 when the Mills government announced a donation of US $ 3 million to support the Haitian government. Following that gesture by the government, there has been a polarized debate by Ghanaians over this donation. Overall, we all agree that Ghana should support Haiti by way of financial donation. The problem remains that a section of the Ghanaian people still thinks that the amount Ghana donated was too much considering the country’s domestic financial and economic plight. On the other hand, other section thinks that with the pledge, Ghana did show some concrete support and leadership and projected the nation’s national image.

Although it has been over a year, the debate still lingers on as to why Ghana pledged such a large amount. In the light of this, The Debate asks: Was it extravagant for Ghana to donate US$ 3 million to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and can the country afford it?

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Pro

Ghana as a nation and its people has been known for its leadership and hospitality on both the Africa continent and across the globe since the days of the struggle against colonialism. As the first black African nation to gain political independence in 1957, Ghana actively supported most African countries ridding themselves of imperialist regimes in Africa including offering a huge sum of money to countries like Guinea and serving as a safe haven for freedom fighters.

Ghana has invested heavily in peacekeeping, security and conflict resolution across the continent and as far as the Middle East. Ghana has also contributed troops and logistics to major peacekeeping operations and conflict resolutions in places like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia and the Lebanon.

These and many other operations indeed have cost the nation much more than the US $3 million given to Haiti and no one has openly argued that we have been extravagant. In fact, the issue that ought to be raised should be what edge or comparative advantage our benevolence and magnanimity over the years have brought to the country. To this end, one could vouch that “Brand Ghana� invokes respect and greatness on the international scene. For those of us who live abroad, we always feel proud to call ourselves Ghanaians because of some of the things our country is doing. This goes a long way to give us leverage in pursuit of our national interest.

It is also critical that Ghana continues the investment it has made since the late 1950s in terms of being at the forefront of promoting liberty, freedom and economic prosperity both on the continent and reaching out to all black people across the globe. It is particularly strategic for Ghana to transition this leadership role into the 21st century by positioning itself as a role model of what Africa can achieve with democracy, unity of purpose and peace and stability.

This gesture was again in line with our belief that one does not wash his/her dirty linen in public. In effect, it is no secret that Ghana is not a rich country but that does not stop us from projecting a positive image abroad. Truly, the $3 million may appear as a lot of money considering our domestic economic power, however, as a nation, the indirect benefit we stand to gain from it would be way more. In other words, we should consider this as an investment since it may attract potential foreign investors and tourists to visit the country. Remember that business thrives in positive and forward looking environment.

Con

Again, the folks who feel differently about the donation Ghana

made to Haiti are not saying we should not have given anything.

However, what they are saying is that, considering our domestic

economic situation, we should have made a modest donation.

Available data indicates that using donor countries’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the index, Ghana happens to be the sec-

ond highest donor nation to Haiti surpassing the U.S. and all the developed countries. This begs the question of the motive behind the donation in the first place.

There are basically two ways of going about issues like this. One

is to consider it from the point of view of intent and the other is to consider it from the point of view of effect. One would assume

that our leadership would want to consider its donation in the

spirit of intent rather than effect since truly we are not financially

sound enough to make such a big donation. It appears our leadership unfortunately considered the effect motive.

We are saying unfortunately because arguably, the opportunity

cost of the donation far outweighs the benefit since it takes a lot of sacrifice for Ghana to part with such amount yet considering

the magnitude of the crisis and the stream of financial resources

being channeled to Haiti by the international community, our ges-

ture may be lost in the stream of multi-million dollars being

pledged by worthy sources.

Conclusion

The jury is still out there. You may submit your position to the editor at dondoweb@yahoo.com.

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Online INFO

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The Distinguished Urban Society

he Distinguished Urban Society is defined on its "About Us" page on the website www.thedusociety.com as “an online magazine dedicated to cataloging the fashion sense, outlook and lifestyle of today’s urban gentleman through articles, vivid imagery and opinion.”

In simple terms, this website is the needed breath of fresh air for men who live and practice the etiquettes of the gentleman’s lifestyle.

There are many fascinating areas to visit on this website. One of my favorite areas on the is the Editorial page. The writer, Eric Adjepong, writes effortlessly about the current topic, “The Dress Down”, where the writer walks readers through the three key points to remember when dressing down.

Another favorite of mine is the “Must Reads.”

Currently there are seven must read topics on the website that readers can simply click in to get more tips and knowledge about being the perfect gentleman. One topic I personally love very much and have visited quite a few times is “The

Trends on Social Media

…30,000 of you can come together in 3 days to celebrate what it means to be Ghanaian.

Such has been the social media phenomenon known as “You know you are Ghanaian when…”. Started one Friday afternoon in July, the Facebook group grew to more than 30,000 members in a course of three days. At the time of going to press, the membership is well over 35,000 and growing.

Our initial research suggests that it is probably the biggest gathering of Ghanaians on Facebook.

Perhaps even more significant, is that it has become a default depository of what it means to be Ghanaian. A random sampling of the posts revealed the following thoughts about being Ghanaian: “You know you are Ghanaian when…” “…you get your ear twisted and pulled for disturbing your parents when they are asleep.” “…you fight over the burnt part of rice.” “..the hero of a film is the blowman and the villain is the killer.” “…you use Mercy Cream to cure all skin problems.” “…Sunday is fufu day.”

Economy of Style”. Here, the writer, Sam Kwakyeh, guides readers about becoming economic about their choices in clothing and colors in a way that can increase rather than limit your options in terms of how often and how many ways they can wear that outfit.

All together, there are four tabs readers can click onto for information. This is in addition to the traditional "About" and "Contact" tabs. The distinct feature about the The Distinguished Urban Society website is that it is not one of your usual overcrowded sites packed with numerous tabs

that are rarely used by visitors but it is rather a lean, meaningful and simple navigation website that makes for easy and enjoyable surfing.

Even the writings collaborate with the simplistic theme on the website as the writers use simple, everyday examples to explain relevant points that drive home their arguments with little effort.

Although www.thedusociety.com is designed for the male visitor, however after careful evaluation I noticed how female visitors can find this website useful to gather information about how to help their man look the perfect gentleman, how to buy gifts for their man on special or everyday occasion, or what to expect if a male date wants to portray himself as a gentleman.

The website is credited to Eric Adjepong-EditorIn-Chief, Daniel Kwakyeh, Fashion Editor, and Samuel Kwakyeh, Business Manager.

So the next time you surf the web, make it a point to visit www.thedusociety.com for some amazing tips and information about today’s urban gentleman.

You know you are Ghanaian when... “…you take Paracetamol for every illness” “…Talking Point goes on for too long before Obra.” “…every toothpaste is Pepsodent and every hot beverage is tea.”

Others have started topics within the group such as “The Best Sportsmen in Ghana,” “The Worst Raps that Ghanaian Boys Use on Girls,” and “Favorite Marching Songs.”

Nenyi Sackey, who started the group, has been pleasantly overwhelmed. It was supposed to be a lazy Friday afternoon. He was wasting away time on Facebook when he saw a thread titled “You know you’re from the Bronx when…,” to which people added random aspects of the culture of Bronx, New York. Being a Bronx resident, he added a couple of comments to the thread. That is when he figured “Well, I live in the Bronx but I’m also Ghanaian.” That moment of self-awareness got him thinking of the unique cultural signals that make Ghanaians who they are. So he wrote a few lines about unique Ghanaian experiences and shared them among his family and close friends. Little did he know that his Facebook family was soon to become his Ghanaian family.

It turned out to be one of the busiest weekends of his life. Within hours of the first post, the group had received 1500 members; that was quite

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shocking. Within 24 hours the membership grew to 10,000, SCARY! As it turned out, he stayed up the entire weekend, approving the thousands who wanted to express shared experiences of being Ghanaian.

“I hardly slept all weekend, but I hardly felt sleepy. I was overcome with the demonstration that in spite of all our differences and family feuds Ghanaians have such a rich shared meaning of being Ghanaian and I feel privileged to have been in a position to spark that expression.”

Even more impressive is that these are Ghanaians from various walks of life and living all over the world. Nenyi Sackey himself was born in New York and sent to Ghana for secondary school at St. Augustine’s college.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think anyone could have planned such an outpouring of love and pride for being Ghanaian, so we see this as an opportunity to foster conversation and raise consciousness about our bonds and shared purpose as Ghanaians. Our time has truly come.”

Our favorite post: “You know you’re Ghanaian when you can poke fun at one another and our differences but still love them as fellow Ghanaians.”

HEALTH

Stress T

and Ways to Cope with It

By Jonathan Weiss

he year 2009 was considered by many as one of the most stressful years since the Great Depression. The economic downturn and all the financial uncertainties coupled with rising unemployment in the country caused many to worry about their lives and their family’s future.

Stress is normal and unavoidable and may occur under various conditions in your life. The body responds to stress as tough it is in danger and causes hormones to speed up to your heart to give you a burst of energy to help decrease any negative reactions to the stress. This kind of stress response is known as the fight-or-flight stress response and is rather useful to the body.

However, it remains important to know your body and become aware of ways to reduce or prevent dangerous stress in your life. Although no one strategy is absolute, some of these stress management tips have been useful to cope with stress in a healthy way.

Physical Activity

Physical activity is the most common and possibly the single best approach to manage stress. Regular or moderate exercise that increases heart rate like running, walking, swimming, etc. are effective ways to combat stress. Other effective physical activities can be vigorous everyday activities such as house cleaning or yard work.

Relax the Mind

Another useful way to counteract stress is to keep a stress journal to write about stressful events and circumstances in your life. Doing this can help you identify the sources of the stress so you do not repeat things that causes such stress.

Express Your Feelings

Talk with friends, family members, colleges, or a professional counselor about your stress. Conversations with others means you are not harboring your feelings and these discussions can trigger laughing or crying which are all normal ways to release tension and frustrations. These are part of the normal emotional healing process for the body.

Visualize Yourself

Guided imagery is a method of using your imagination to help you relax and release tension caused by stress. The human body responds easily to images in your mind so if you can see yourself being happy in an otherwise stressful situation, that would be a healthy way to combat the stress.

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Stress is normal and unavoidable and may occur under various conditions in your life.

Professional Help

Although this could be expensive, it is generally recommended to seek professional help if you become overwhelmed by your stress. Professional counselors can provide you with Cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches you of how to perceive stress as well as helping you to understand how the stress affects you and how to develop skills to deal with it. They can also teach you Biofeedback which is a method to consciously control a body function to control stress, or Hypnosis which helps you accept ways to help change behavior towards stress.

Since stress is a part of living, developing methods to deal with stress is the only way to counteract it. If you can understand how your body reacts under certain stressful situations, you will have the ability to live a manageable stress-free lifestyle.

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CONSUMER REPORT

Cellular Phone SAFETY Ensure Your

O

By Jonathan Weiss

ne of the world’s leading newspaper, News of the World, based in London, England, folded in July 2011 on allegations that the newspaper paid millions of dollars over the years to gag phone-hacking victims for blockbuster stories in the newspaper.

This scandal is not only illegal but proves that phone hacking is not an action only seen in spy thriller movies, espionage cases, or methods used by international spies, but also an act that can affect celebrities as well as regular folks walking the streets of a town you are in.

Phone hacking can simply be defined as a process where someone gains unauthorized access to your phone.

The two most common types of phone hacking are voicemail hacking (someone remotely listens to your phone voicemail messages) and data hacking (someone views or steals information stored on your phone such as bank account information, emails, etc.).

Hackers have noted repeatedly online how easy it is to hack into someone’s cell phone and even more easier, someone’s voicemail.

For obvious reasons we will not discuss the methods they use to achieve this however, we will discuss a few simple things you can do to make it difficult for a hacker to access your cell phone data or voicemail.

Set Up Your Own Pin Code

When you listen to your voice mail from another source other than your cell phone, ie a landline, your network provider offers a generic remote access number you can call from to access your voicemail.

For security purposes you are required to enter a pin code but the default code is the same across all phones, often 1234 or 0000. You MUST change this code and set up your own pin code. It is quick and easy and it is the basic way to prevent hackers from hacking your voicemail. Remember, hackers know the generic code and by setting your own pin code, you have moved one step ahead of them.

Minimize Data on Cell Phone

One of the known benefits of Smartphones is the ability they offer to store lots of data for convenience. Phone hackers are also aware of such storage capacity and look to hack smartphones to get their hands on this data. Avoid storing the bulk of your important data, ie bank information, emails, etc on your cell phones.

Delete Browser History

Periodically, you should delete your browser history. The browser history in your phone stores all the websites you visit on your phone. When you clear your cell phone internet browser history, cookies, and cache, you would make it harder for a hacker to gain access to your data ie the sites you visit, the type of data you input, etc.

Know What You Are Set a Strong Downloading Lock Code Many of the Apps you download have mal-

Most people do not set lock codes let alone a strong lock code yet this is another simple way to prevent hackers from hacking into your phone. Imagine if your phone is missing and it falls into the hands of a hacker. They will need to get pass your lock code to access the phone data. A strong lock code will make it much harder for hackers to hack your phone. In addition, you should set up a strong email password code. Most people follow the suggestions that your device advices, (eg. At least 5 characters and one number.). Experts indicates that email passwords that are 10 to 12 characters and numbers long are very strong and difficult for hackers to break into.

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ware software that can be dangerous and expose your data to hackers. Learn in- depth, the source of your Apps before you download an App.

Review Your Phone Bill Carefully

When you receive your monthly bill, make sure to review it in detail. If you see any added service you did not authorize, bring it to the network provider’s attention immediately. It could mean that your phone has been compromised by a hacker. Never take reviewing your bill lightly.

IMMIGRATION

T

By Ernest Marbell

here are so many myths surrounding Advance Parole to the extent that oftentimes it becomes hard to separate the myths from the facts. By the time you are done reading this, you will be in a better position to understand clearly what Advance Parole is all about.

What is Advance Parole?

Advance Parole is permission for certain foreign nationals, who do not have a valid immigrant visa, to re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad. Such foreign nationals must be approved for Advance Parole before leaving the U.S. If you have not obtained Advance Parole prior to traveling abroad, you will not be permitted to re-enter the U.S. upon your return

Who Needs Advance Parole?

As a foreign national in the U.S., you should, prior to departure, obtain Advance Parole if you have: 1. Filed an Adjustment of Status application but have not received a decision from the USCIS but need to leave the country temporarily due to emergency 2. Hold Refugee or Asylee status and intend to depart temporarily to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa in Canada 3. Been granted benefits under the Family Unity Program 4. been granted Temporary Protected Status

Who is Not Eligible for Advance Parole?

You are not eligible for an Advance Parole travel document if you are a foreign national who is: 1. In the U.S. illegally 2. An exchange foreign national subject to the foreign residence requirement 3. Under removal (deportation) proceedings 4. Alien holding a valid H-1 (temporary worker in a specialty occupation) or L-1 (intra-company transferee) visas and their dependents who have filed for Adjustment of Status

Does Advance Parole Guarantee Me Re-admission into the U.S.?

This is the most important thing to understand about Advance Parole but unfortunately, this is where folks usually get it all wrong. No, Advance Parole does not guarantee you admission into the U.S. Foreign nationals with Advance Parole are still subject to the immigration inspection process at the port of entry.

The caveat is that due to changes to U.S. immigration law, travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences for certain aliens who are in the process of adjusting their status or changDONDO

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ing their nonimmigrant status. Such aliens may be found inadmissible to the United States upon return and/or their applications for adjustment or change of status may be denied.

Also, under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, aliens who depart the United States after accruing certain periods of unlawful presence in the United States can be barred from admission, even if they have obtained Advance Parole. Those aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States for 180 days but less than one year become inadmissible for three years; those who are unlawfully present for more than one year become inadmissible for 10 years.

Disclaimer Be advised that this is not a legal opinion and may not be specific to individual circumstances. You are encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney for further assistance.

Credited to Zhang and Associate, P.C., U.S. Attorneys and Counselors

African Nominees

Teargas

2Face Idibia

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A

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A

R

D

S

The Gateway for African Music Acts

By Jonathan Weiss • Photos by Face2Face Africa

he BET Awards 2011 was by all accounts a resounding success. For the second year in a row, a large number of the members of the African communities across the U.S. showed additional keen interest in the Awards show by way of supporting the African acts nominated in the category of Best International Act; Africa.

This year’s nominees included D-Black (Ghana), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Fally Ipupa (Congo), Teargas (South Africa) and tied winners 2Face and D’Banj (Both of Nigeria).

Africans in the U.S. debated, exchanged thoughts and opinions, and even argued all across social media websites on the Internet before, during, and after the Awards show was aired on BET Cable channel on June, 28, 2011.

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In fact, this level of intense community participation for an event on television had not been witnessed since the World Cup finals in South Africa. On this night, the BET Awards did what only mega events such as the World Cup Finals, Olympics, a Royal Wedding, or the picking of a Pope can do to bring Africans together for a television event.

The success of the community penetration of the event was largely due to a well calibrated work by BET to incorporate the role and presence of the International channel which broadcasts out of Africa, the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East. BET International showcases and services some of the exceptional talents out of the territories that it broadcast in. Big names such as D'Banj, 2Face Idibia, HHP. Kwaw Kesse, P-Square, M.I., Kojo Antwi, Blitz the

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Fally Ipupa

D'Banji

D-Black and everything else that you might think of, some were focused on

Ambassador, K'NAAN, D-Black, Fally Ipupa, Angelique Kidjo,

Iman, Teargas, Lira, Jahaziel, VV Brown, Estelle, Sade, Corinne Bailey Rae, Tinie Tempah, Skepta, Tinchy Stryder-etc, have all been given international exposures by BET International. The idea is to demonstrate the potential of the international artists and market to the domestic audience—The BET Awards 2011 has clearly vindicated this strategy.

Like all new ventures, BET International made adjustments that improved this year’s Best International Act category. Specifically, the category was broken into two sub-categories; Best International Act: Africa and Best International Act: UK. The decision to do this was the right one because the categories culturally and geographically better defined the acts. For example, at the inaugural list of African acts in the Best International Act category at the BET Awards 2010, all the international acts were clustered into one category. This meant that Ghana’s Kojo Antwi was placed in the same category with the more internationally recognized acts such as UK’s Sade and Estelle.

Under the new two category format, African acts are better classified geographically, musically, and culturally. Another benefit under this format is that there will be more African acts nominated each year than under the original format. (In 2011, six African acts were nominated over 2010’s five nominees).

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what they described as a shortfall at the Awards. A central focus was on why Ghanaian acts have not won this category. Some bloggers added that the category is a “token” category. The skepticism was further engrossed when two Nigerian artists were declared tied winners at this year’s show.

Such commentary is far from the truth. While it is understandable that a cross-section of the members of the African community can be passionate about their music stars, they must know that BET International has worked extremely hard to provide this category for African artists and in doing so, has provided African artists with a powerful international platform to showcase their talents and help gain success on the international market. Without the encouragement and support from the BET Awards, many of the artists may not have the outlet to expose their talents internationally.

A majority of the African community applaud the opportunity the BET Awards offer African acts and conversely recognizes the talents the African acts bring to the show. This fact is much more significant to the majority in community than the few who thinks otherwise. The big picture is about the growth of African music globally and the few doubters in the community must understand that a big part of the reason BET International made this possible is because BET International recognizes the talents in the African music industry and through the BET Awards, the rest of the music world will see what BET International have come to know and what Africans have always known.

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Bishop Allotey’s 50th Birthday Celebrations

The golden jubilee celebration was held on June 6, 2011 in honor of Bishop Dominic Newlove Allotey. It was held at Glen Island Habour in New Rochelle. The occasion was graced by the clergy around the world including Apostle Korankye Ankrah, Reverend Mrs. Korankye Ankrah from Ghana, Apostle J. Ngwale, Reverend Mrs. Ngwale from South Africa, Reverend Steve Mensah, Reverend Mrs. Steve Mensah, Prophet and Mrs. Agyeman Prempeh from United Kingdom, Dr. Frank Ofosu Appiah from Georgia, Bishop and Reverend Mrs. Christopher Haynes from Bermuda and Dr. Judy Jones Brown from Brooklyn New York among others. Friends and family around the world came to make the occasion a success.

The Living Faith Church Family gave Bishop Dominic Allotey a Mercedes Benz S550 4matic car as his 50th birthday gift.

It was an awesome moment.

Bishop Dominic Newlove Allotey, Celebrant and wife Mrs. Allotey cutting the birthday cake

The Alottey Family; Bishop Allotey, Mrs. Naomi, Sandra, Veronica, Joshua and Joelle

The Birthday Cake

Mighty men with their wives

Gift from the Church to Bishop Allotey Mercedes Benz S500 4MATIC

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Women Ministry Heads

Mrs. Beverley Henry & Dr. Akwasi Achampong

Pastor Frank Ofosu Appiah

Rev. & Rev. Mrs. Christopher Haynes

Prophet & Mrs. A Prempeh

Rev. & Rev. Mrs. Steve Mensah

Apostle & Rev. Mrs. Sam K. Ankrah

Apostle & Rev. Mrs. Ngwale

Bishop Allotey receiving his birthday gift

Apostle Ankrah offering a prayer

The Clergy

Bishop Allotey offering a prayer

Some members and invited guests of Living Faith Church

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Pastor Jerry Osei Tutu

Mr. & Mrs. Awuku

Mrs. Akahoho and mother in-law

Mr. Henry & Mrs. Elsie Ayensu

Bishop Allotey with friends

Bishop Allotey with Church members

Bishop Allotey with Church members

Some of the Church members

Pastor Jonathan & Mrs. Gloria Addico

Clement & Prophet Prempeh

Joshua & Nuruyaatu

Elder & Mrs. Cecil King

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Mr. & Mrs. Micheal Buadu

Prophet & Mrs. Prempeh on the dance floor

Apostle & Mrs. Rev. Ngwale on the dance Rev. & Rev. Mrs. Steve on the dance floor floor

Rev. & Rev. Mrs Haynes on the dance floor

Prophet Prempeh and Mrs. Allotey glorifying God in a dance

Eugene & Apostle Ngwale

Bishop Allotey, Mrs. Allotey and Joelle enjoying his brand new Benz

Bishop Allotey with some of the members of Living Faith Church

Apostle & Mrs. Ankrah and Apostle & Mrs Ngwale

Church Members

Bishop Allotey, with Church Members DONDO 3 5 MAGAZINE

Bishop and First Lady Allotey on the dancing floor

Lilian Yanney and Son Micheal

Pastor Jerry with friends

Bishop Allotey, with Church Members

Irene and Family

Irene Asante’s 50th Birthday Bash

Beloved and admired, Irene Asante, celebrated her 50th Birthday in style on July 30, 2011 in the Bronx NY.

Photos by John Oko Nyaku

M.C. of the occasion, Kingsley Nimo

Irene Asante and AFA Group

Nana Adu and Irene

Mrs. Irene Asante

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Mrs. Irene Asante

Chairman K, kids of the celebrant and Irene

Irene dancing Adowa

Albert, Nana Frimpong, Mrs. Asamoah, Irene

Mrs. Gyamfi, Guest and Nana Yaa

Mark, Akwasi, Kojo, Benard, Kingsley, Brefo & Guests

Mrs. Irene Asante giving thanks to God

Akosua, KK, Irene, Pomaa, Kojo, Naana, Nana Adu, Serwaa, Kwaku

Nana Amakye, Asantefohene and Guests

Kuwait and wife

Irene Church Members

Nana Owusu Manu and AFA Members

Nana Amponsah and Nana Prempeh

Mr.Boateng, Mr.& Mrs. Sarkodie

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Mrs. Twumasi, Nana Adu, Irene, Joyce, Nana Frimpong, Sammy, Christy, & Pat

Amy McNish Birthday Celebrations Image Consulting & Design by Amy President & CEO, Amy McNish celebrated her birthday in style in Washington DC with friends, business associates, and family. The July 1st born celebrations was also in conjunction with the Green & Gorgeous Fashion Gala Networking experience hosted by DMD Experience, LLC. Photos by Robert Glenn-Creative Eyez PhotographyAltema & Delfin-Graphic Design, Photography, Video & Audio Production, Surpass Media Production, LLC Mark Daniel Pillor

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The Star Studded Wedding Ceremony

Columbus Ohio residents and successful entrepreneurs, Mr. & Mrs. Agyekum were joined in Holy Matrimony in a star studded, glitzy wedding in Columbus, Ohio on July 2 2011 at the Jesus Power Assemblies of God church in Columbus, Ohio. The glitz and glamour reception was held at the ultra exclusive Great Grand Ballroom at the luxurious 5 Star Hilton Columbus.

Over 1,400 invited guests and well wishes travelled across the U.S. and overseas to witness the wedding many in the Ghanaian community dubbed, the “Star Studded Wedding of the Century.”

African superstar celebrities who made the long travel journey’s from Ghana and other locations to be a part of this once in a lifetime celebration included African Movies Superstar Jackie Appiah and well as Yvonne Nelson, Mercy Asiedu, Agya Koo, Prince David Osei, among others. Ghana music legend Kojo Antwi also flew in from Ghana to serenade the couple and attendees to many of his classics and hit songs during the reception.

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

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Bride with bridesmaids

Groom and bride with bridal party

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Groom with groomsmen

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Agya Koo and Mercy Asiedu

Kalsum Sinari, KKD, Jackie Appiah

Obour and Richard

Wofa Kojo, Asantehemaa, Comfort

Guests

Pat, Silvia, Nana Abodowaa

MC Papa Lincoln

Priscilla

Guests

Prince David Osei

Mr. & Mrs. Kyehene

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Mr. & Mrs. Snider

Nana Abena Gyamfua, Asantemanhemaa, Nana Kwansah, Nana Odenho, Nana Adamine, Wofa Atta and couple

Kojo Antwi

KKD & Jackie Appiah

Mr.& Mrs Koranteng

Kojo & Ama

Mr. & Mrs. Addo

Helena

Billy Agyemang & Penhi

Bride & Groom

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Prince David Osei and guest

Mr & Mrs Acheampong

Irene, Dela And Mrs Wober

Mr & Mrs Moffart

Rita & Eddie

Jeff And Cecila

Mr & Mrs Hammond

Groom & Bride

Rita & Eddie

Mr Osei Tutu

Mr & Mrs Odo Kojo

Deacon James

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Bridesmaids with Mrs. Amoateng and Joyce (Seamstress who designed the dresses)

Deacon Amoah

Gladys, Gloria & Tiffany

Bride with Dr. & Mrs Entsuah

Mr. & Mrs. Osei

Dora, Tawia (Hairstylist)

Dr. & Mrs. Hagan

Dr. & Mrs. Ayensu

Nana, Piper

Dr. & Mrs. Oppong

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Nana, KKD, Pelma, & Brenda

Mr. & Mrs Berko Akoto

Couple with Mr.& Mrs Mensah

Mr & Mrs Adjei

Mr & Mrs Boakye

Kalsum, Yvonne Nelson, Prince David Osei

Couple on the dance floor

Couple with daughters

Obour and Jackie

Couple

Couple with Andy

Okanes, Theresa, Delali, Porchia, Akeila, Brenda DONDO 4 5 MAGAZINE

Kofi & Vick

Emmanuel J.P. Banson & Jacqueline Mclean’s Engagement

Emmanuel J.P. Banson and Jacqueline Mclean celebrated their engagement with an exclusive, invitation only intimate engagement party celebration at the elegant Maestro Caterers in the Bronx, New York on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011. The lovebirds were united in a traditional ceremony earlier in the morning and enjoyed the evening celebrations with invited family and friends.

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

Photos by Oghene Adu-Darko

Nana Atta Boamah with Jackie

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Nana Abroakwa

Nana Akwasi Prempeh, couple & Nana Amponsah

Mr. & Mrs. Banson

Charles Ankrah and Freda Mclean

Gina, couple & Amy

Couple, Gifty, Charles, Freda, Hans

Emmanuel Banson

Jackie, Charles, Freda and Hans

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Jacqueline

The couple

Jacqueline

Couple with bride’s mother, father, and brother

Charles and Freda

KB, Kizzy, Jackie, Emmanuel, and Eunice

The couple

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The couple

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Freda and Jackie

Couple doing the dance

Harriet, Freda, and Faustina

Barbara, Abigail, Gifty

Afua Serwa, Couple Rita, Aretha, Nana Adwoa, Bernard

Awoa, Kofi, Couple, Abien, De-love, Nana Betty, Nana Sei, Jemima

Mama, Couple, Evelyn, Michael & Yvonne, Irene

Richard, Couple, Nana Akomeah Emelia, Shantel, Sandra, Kizzy

Barbara, Abigail, Couple Chris, Tina, Moses

Ben, Couple, Harriet, Charles, Winifried

Gifty, Couple, Maame Owusuah Estella, Hans, Eric, Richard

Sly, Couple, Selina, Martha Sandra, Ayesha, Clara, Gertrude

Queni, Monica, Couple, Pat, Gifty Joyce, Josephine, Mr. & Mrs. Kokofuo

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Portia and Oghene Wedding Ceremony

A celebration of love between New York famed photojournalist Oghene Adu-Darko and his beautiful bride Portia Osei-Tutu reached its pinnacle with an exquisite wedding ceremony on June 18, 2001 at the Calvary Deliverance Christian Assembly in the Bronx NY. Over 500 invited guests and family joined the beloved couple, Mr. & Mrs. Adu-Darko, at their lavish reception that followed the blissful wedding ceremony.

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

Portia and Oghene engagement

Portia and Oghene

Parents of the Bride with the couple

Pastors Prince, Seth, Bishop Owusu-Ansah, Rev. Cookie with the couple

Family of the bride

Family of the groom

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Couple with members of United Bethel Pentecostal Ministry, Bronx, New York

Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Osei-Tutu

The great entry, Oghene and Mother, Auntie Grace

Mr. & Mrs. Oghene Adu-Darko

Ring and Bible

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Presentation of bride dairy

Mr. & Mrs. Adu-Darko cutting their wedding assisted by Groom’s mom Auntie Grace

Couple with guests and Uncle Tuah

Couple toasting

Couple with guests

Couple with Mr. & Mrs. Okyere

Couple with guests from Methodist Church

Couple with Mr. & Mrs. Ameyaw

Uncles of the Bride

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Winifred, Bracker, Edward, and Grace

Portia poses for the camera

Couple with Mensah family from NJ

Cynthia, Konadu, Ama Adoma, Mary, Nana Yaa

The Amoh Family with Couple

Couple pouring unity sand

Bridal Party

Couple with Family of the Groom

Couple with Friends

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Couple with Officiating Ministers

r in g o o d t u O ’s n a m Buck a u f m a y G a w Ernest Gwumah Buckman (Jomo) and Cheryl Ado wife Akua (Kakra) Kuma celebrated the birth of their daughter, Photos by John Oko Nyaku

Ernest & Akua withKuma family

Akua, Daakyehemaa and Ernest

Cheryl Adowa Gyamfua Buckman with a stylish Outdooring ceremony on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in the Bronx New York.

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

Ladies

Nana Dwumuah

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Ernest & Akua with Wiredu Family

Alex Nketia

Cheryl

Ernest & Akua on the dance floor

Joe and Akua

Jones, Metal, Wange,Shazy and Nazi

Akua and Mary

Eugene, Glorita, Patrick, Mary, Joane

Friend, Akua and Vicki

Sam Tuga & Friends

Kenneth Anane

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Onua (CT)

George and Eric (MC)

Dosty, Nana Adwoa, Friends, Edna, Maa Efua

God Mothers, Nazat & Abena

Apele, Benash, Ohenewa, Eugene

Panin, Kwame, Maame, Ngozi

Cosino, Akua, Ernest and Khuma

Yao, Nazi, Kudjo Shazy, Jones, Pablo

Denis, Ras Popo, Ernest, Akua and Eric

Mildred & SASSI Ladies

Atta & Wife, Bernard, Tuga, Eric

Macorna, Melvin, Elsie & Esther

Eric, Kojo Pasker

Lumba, Atta

Akwasi, Yvonne, Kedrick

Atta, Bernard, Chariman, Poncho

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Nana Gyansare, V, Elizabeth friend (Chairman)

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The Owusu Ansah Family

Raven Yaa Pomaa Owusu Ansah

Moses and Clarissa Danicing

Raven Owusu Ansah Outdooring Extravaganza

Proud parents Moses Owusu Ansah and Clarissa Armah celebrated with friends and family the Naming and Outdooring ceremonies of their new baby girl, Raven Owusu Ansah on Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Union, New Jersey.

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

Photos by ACCUSOL Media

Clarissa and Raven

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K Duah and Nana Akua

Mc Papa Linc and Moses

Moses and Friends

Ama, Wadada And Original

Ama, Wadada And Original

Students Of Okess

Osofo, Abby and Friends

Tuga and Sister Akua

Students Of Okess

Clarissa and Naana

Clarissa and Naana

MC Papa Linc on the dance floor

Moses On The Dance Floor

America Man

Adjoa Achiaa

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Clarissa

Jerry and Ob

Adjoa

Adjoa, Tilda and Clarissa

Clarrissa and Sandra

Atta , Adjoa and Richard

Awura Ama and Nana Prempeh

Dwomoh and Rihanna

God-parents

Osofo, Moses and Apinchi

OB and Naa Achaa

Nana Marfo and Clarissa

Nana Binney, Pauline and Nana Yaw

Tuga N Wife

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Kwaku and Hadjiah

Clarissa and Nana Yaw

Moses Clarissa and Nana Kwame

Mr John Kessie and Wife Gina

Moses, Clarissa and Nana Poku

Fred and Friend

Moses, Clarissa, Alex and Anita

Moses, Clarissa, Olivia and Eric

Mr & Mrs & God-parents

Nana Achaa and Nana Afia

Mille And B

Georgiette and Tilda

Nana Takyi

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Moses and Friends

Akua and Stutgart

Alpha, Matata and Twins

Albert and Moses

Clarissa and Dad

Clarissa and Naana

Clarissa and Naana

TUGA, NANA TAKYI N MOSES

Tuga, Nana Takyi and Moses

Richard

Mr and Mrs Okine

Naa Ode

Mr Wab and Wife, and Fiifi

Raven Yaa Pomaa Owusu Ansah DONDO

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Sandra

Photos by John Oko Nyaku

SAM TUGA & ASSOCIATES BOAT PARTY2011

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Proud parents with Essence

Stacey Bentil

Pastor Perkins, Essence & Bruce

Essence Yaa Boatima Bruce

Baby Essence Yaa Boatemaa Bruce’s

Outdooring

Kingsley, Kwado, Charming

Proud parents Benedicta Bentil and Kofi Bruce threw a massive outdoing celebration for the new addition Essence Yaa Boatemaa Bruce on July 16, 2011. The weekend celebrations included the ceremony, reception, and the now famous “Polo Party” on Sunday.

Priscilla

Kofi, Kwame Charles, Kwasi

Proud father with daughter

DONDO lens captured these scenes for you.

Kofi Korsay, Text, Kwaku Safo

Nana Baafour Awuah, Aqua Sireboe, Nana Yaw Owusu DONDO 6 4 MAGAZINE

Katipo

Sasu, Kofi Bruce, Kwasito

Mr.&Mrs. Robert Bentil

The love birds

Proud mother, Benedicta Bentil

Benedicta & Bruce

Mr & Mrs Osei

Dufia with Benedicta

Dance time

Akosua, Lesley, Freda

Gifty, Stella, Georgina

Seeing eye to eye

Jackie & Richard

Eric, Kuma, Boss

Jackie & Richard

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Nana Osei & Sarah

Rachel & dad Joe B

Mr. & Mrs. Koranteng

Roby & Catherine

Junior & Sam

Ohenewaa, Mrs. Frimpong, Josephine

Stacey & Lesley

Anita

Mr. & Mrs. Bona

Bruce & Mama Jo

Afua Abamkuah

Denzel

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Maame Boatemaa & Dorcas

Richardson & Tracey

Sylvia

SPECIAL FEATURE

The inaugural DONDO African Achievements Gala (AAG) was held on August 28, 2010 in New York City. The black-tie dinner gala was a resounding success, drawing one of the largest gatherings of community leaders from various sectors including professional, political, religious, social-economic, educational, entertainment, travel and hospitality sectors, etc. under one roof.

AAG was formed in 2010 with a paramount goal for DONDO magazine to thank the reader as well as to establish a physical connection with African communities around the world. From this concept, AAG was designed as a platform to celebrate the African lifestyle through music, fashion and film.

The highlight of the evening celebrations is the honoring of the best and brightest people/groups in our communities whose work and dedication to and in African communities continues to shine a positive light on Africans in the Diaspora.

A give back program, DONDO Charities,

was also established as a part of the gala to support and assist public and private organizations with a proven track record of helping minority immigrants and African communities deal with humanitarian, health, and socio-economic disparity issues in their communities.

The 2010 DONDO African Achievements Gala was certainly a special night for celebrating African excellence and culture and more importantly it was also a special night for celebrating you, the people of our communities, who made this evening a one night only for a lifetime of memories.

A special thank-you to all who attended and an extended thank-you to our sponsors for making the 2010 DONDO African Achievements Gala possible.

Corporate Sponsors Western Union, MoneyGram, Prestige Tour, Travel and Promotion Inc., Trinity Travel and Marketing, Executive Image Movies, DONDO

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All Nations Security Service and Training School, Dr. Anukware Ketosugbo, MD F.A.C.S., Wholsealeafricanlace.com, Gold Coast Trading, and JOMO’S Autos.

Contributing Sponsors Studio D-Maxi, Hemma Collection, Jul’s Studios, Design by U Jewelry, and Marq Kearns Makeup stylist.

The 2010 DONDO Honorees

President’s Award Honorable Kennedy Agyapong Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region of Ghana Media Award African Abroad U.S.A

Community Award Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians Inc. (OAN)

Humanitarian Award Organization for International Development (OID) Sports Education African Development Foundation (ADF)

Religion The Apostolic Church International, 1000 Morris Ave Assembly Culture Asanteman Association of New York

Don d o A fr ic an A c h i e ve me n t G ala Awards

Sports Education Award African Development Foundation (ABF)

The President's AwardHon. Kennedy Agyapong, MP Assin North Constituency - Central Region of Ghana

DONDO Charities Int’l. Honoree The Sickle Cell Disease Int’l. Org. (SCDIO)

Community Award Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians Inc.

Humanitarian Award Organization for International Development (OID)

DONDO Charities Domestic Honoree NCOGA Scholaship Program

Cultural Award Asanteman Association of New York DONDO

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Religion Award The Apostolic Church International

Do ndo Afr i can Achi evement Gala Perfor maces

DONDO Publisher Michael Adjei address audience

Trumpet extraordinaire Francis Akrofi serenades guests

Nana Amponsah Cultural Troops dazzles guests

Prayers by Newlove Asamoah

Klenam Anatsui, MC

National Anthem by Olivia Obuabang

Tanya James Performes Spoken Words

Choir performace by The Apostolic Church International 1000 Morris Ave Chapter Choir DONDO

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D o n d o A f r ic a Ac h i e ve me n ts Gala Guests Guests featured include H.E. Ernest Lomotey, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Ketosugbo, Dr. Achampong, & Dr. Mensah.

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Dond o Afr ica Ach ievemen ts Gala Gue sts Guests featured include Mr. Lionel Blair, Nana Agyeman, Mr. & Mrs Ayensu, Mr. John Tuah & Mr. Thomas Mensah

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D o n d o A f r ic a Ac h i e ve me n ts Gala Guests Guests featured include Mr. & Mrs. Okyere, Mr. & Mrs. Somuah, Lawyer & Pastor Asamoah, Mr. Brobey & Ms. Atuahene.

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Dond o Afr ica Ach ievemen ts Gala Gue sts Guests featured include Rev. Akufo, Yvonne Ofosu-Mensah, Nana Adowa, Freda McLean, Sam Tuga & Maureen Aryee

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D o n d o A f r ic a Ac h i e ve me n ts Gala Guests Guests featured include Alahaji Abass,Ms. Mary Edusei, Ms. Amy McNish, Ms. Aisha Samad, Mr. Amoateng, Mr. Buckman

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Dond o Afr ica Ach ievemen ts Gala Gue sts Guests featured include Nana Oti Mpie Aben II, Lawyer Amankwah, Mr. William Sylvester, Mzbel, Maame Boatemaa

Nana Oti Mpie Aben II- Special Guest Of Honor

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Don d o A fr i c a Ac h i e ve me n ts G ala Red Car pet

Guests featured include Ms. Benita Bortey, Ms. Aisah Samad & Rita Kusi.

BDREESSSETD FEMALE

Afua Sam

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Don do Af r ica Achie veme n ts Gala R ed Car pet Guests featured include Mrs. Tricia Adjei, Mr. & Mrs. Sackey, Sharlene, Sheila Mensah

BDREESSSETD

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M A L E Ernest Gwumah Buckman

Don d o A fr i c a Ac h i e ve me n ts G ala Red Car pet Guests featured include Ellen, Tony, Phil, Juls, Sylvia, Faustina

BDREESSSETD COUPLE

Nana Agyeman & Ms. Cr ystal Bawuah DONDO

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D o n d o Af r ica Achi e vements G ala Fashi on S h ow Designer s

Studio D-Maxsi

Fashion Designer

Afua Sam

Hemma Collection

Fashion Designer

Owner

Established in 2007, Studio D-Maxsi has become one of the fastest growing fashion houses to come out of the Washington DC metropolitan area.

The fashion house’s Ghanaian born owner and head designer, Afua Sam, counts on her rich Ghana culture as inspiration in creating unique, innovative, and edgy women’s wear masterpieces for the chic, funky yet sophisticated modern trendsetting woman.

Today, the Studio D-Maxsi brand is emerging on the national platform as demonstrated by the enormous demand for their designs on runways across the country. Indeed the company stands heads and shoulders above many of its peers in the fashion industry; an accomplishment Afua Sam attributes to humility, dedication, and hard work.

Studio D-Maxsi Contact: 301.442.3977 Website: www.studiodmaxsidesigns.com school children are also impacted. A percentage of all proceeds will be donated to a West African middle school where the designers instructed classes.

DONDO

Edna Gaston &

Cindy Bisson Co-Owners

Hemma The Hemma Collection is co-founded by two scholars/entrepreneurs/designers, Cindy Bissoon and Edna Gaston.

The fashion house creates a lifestyle brand combining African luxury with a fresh spin on classic designs and incorporating the same unique techniques used to dress Ghanaian nobility for centuries in Ghana.

Hemma’s mission is to make each client feel like royal by providing ‘‘a fresh, elegant collection using authentic Kente, a fabric rich in African royal tradition.’’ The mission goes beyond fashion and incorporates a social cause: 5% of profits donated to La Yahousua Middle School in Ghana where Cindy and Edna volunteered to teach when they first visited Ghana and fell in love with the Kente fabric.

Visit them at: www.thehemmacollection.com

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Do n d o Af r i c a Ac h i e ve m en t s G ala Fash ion Show-Stu dio D'Maxi"

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D o n do Afr ica Achi evements G ala Fashion S how-H emma

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Don d o A f r i ca Ac h i e ve m e nts G ala Fashion Show Jewelr y & Make-up

Design By U

Jewelist

Fatima Samad

Marq Kearns

Makeup Stylist

Owner

The ethnic and eclectic inspiration behind Design By U Jewelry honors and embraces the African culture and art.

The boldness and effervescence of each piece captures the women who were here before, the women of today and the future.

Each piece of art is gently fashioned in bold and fearless shapes, and then combined with captivating earth tone colors and rich hues.

Fatima Samad, jewelry designer of Design By U, welcomes versatility and values diversity and variation. This is what makes her vision distinctive and rare. She humbly describes her jewelry collections as having an “edgy, eclectic look with an ethnic twist.”

Design By U

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Marq Kearns Owner

The ethnic and eclectic inspiration behind Design By U Jewelry honors and embraces the African culture and art.

The boldness and effervescence of each piece captures the women who were here before, the women of today and the future.

Each piece of art is gently fashioned in bold and fearless shapes, and then combined with captivating earth tone colors and rich hues.

Fatima Samad, jewelry designer of Design By U, welcomes versatility and values diversity and variation.

This is what makes her vision distinctive and rare.

She humbly describes her jewelry collections as having an “edgy, eclectic look with an ethnic twist.”

Design By U

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Don do Af r ica Achie veme n ts Gala Hair Stylist

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NCOGA GhanaFest

Photos by John Oko Nyaku

T

he National Council of Ghanaian Association (NCOGA) celebrated their annual “Mother of all Picnics� celebration on August 6, 2011 in Jamaica NY. This year, the council introduced a colorful cultural durbar at the annual celebrations. Musical headline was Hiplife star Nana Boro.

DONDO Lens captured these scenes.

Deputy Amb. William Kanyirige, Ambassador Ken Kanda, NGOGA Sec. Gen. Ivy Quarshie, Consul Gen. Lomotey, P.R. Tiigah

Ga Adangbe Association

Akyem Assoc., Okuapeman., New Juaben Assoc Kwahuman Association Queenmother arriving with entourage

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United Volta Association

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ROB DEFINITION ANNUAL ALL BLACK PARTY JULY 4 WEEKEND

ROB DEFINITION ANNUAL ALL WHITE PARTY JULY 4 WEEKEND

SASSi Ladies Fashion Show and Dance

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By Eunice Poku On Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Ghanatta House, Bronx, NY, SASSI Ladies held their first Annual Fashion Show and Dance. This successful event brought out a large fashionable gathering. These strong sophisticated females provided a night of innovative fashion, gorgeous models and live entertainment. The designers showcased African inspired clothing and designs. They included: Gwen Taylor Couture, Zila Afrik, Sade Glamour, Cleva Fashions, Nefer SisSTARS, Aya Morrison, Design

by U and Maurizio, and makeup line Glamourous Chicks Cosmetics.

Live entertainment was provided by: Nana NYC, Qweci (formerly Ded Buddy), and tribal drumming

by Brothers with an Attitude. In the mist of the activities for the evening, SASSi Ladies presented Kwakwaduam Association Incorporated with a Certificate of Excellence and an award of

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$1,000.00 in recognition of their commitment to the community and their humanitarian work.

SASSi Ladies which stands for Strong African Sophisticated Sisters Incorporated Ladies comprises of African and African descent women from the New York City area. The club was established in October 2009 to encourage its members in their personal and career goals as well as provide a sisterly support system. In addition, the club seeks to empower their communities and dedicated their time and efforts towards children and women initiatives. Their mantra: “Seeing Is Believing” acknowledges the fact that you will have to bear witness to their many achievements. Their charitable work includes: Breast Cancer Walk in 2010; Christmas toys for a foster home in the Bronx; and Rescue Prom – an organization that donates prom dresses to young girls. The SASSi Ladies will continue their charitable work and participate in the Susan G. Komen Walk on September 18, 2011.

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AFRICAN FASHION WEEK NEW YORK 2011

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AFRICAN FASHION WEEK NEW YORK 2011

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AFRICAN FASHION WEEK NEW YORK 2011

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FEATURE

The crowning of Miss Universe Ghana 2011

26-year old final year student of the University of Minnesota, Miss Yayra Erica Nego, will be representing Ghana at the 2011 Miss Universe pageant slated Sao Paulo, Brazil in September. The beautiful and eloquent professional model and pageant consultant impressed the judges with her elegance and smartness to beat five other contestants to wear the coveted crown at a close pageant ceremony in Accra.

Yayra beat off the competition in four categories of assessment: individual presentation; physical fitness or swimsuit appearance; interview and question on national and world affairs; and composure and grace. The other finalist were Jennifer Amegbor, the first runner-up and Angelica Alomele, second runner up, Deborah Esi Abban Tuffoh, Asana Idrissu and Yvonne Cruisy Dakku.

The judges for the finals were Ameyaw Debrah, Rodney Quarcoo, Valentina Sweetie Forte, Claudia Kwarteng-Lumor, Dehner Henry and Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra. Yayra will proudly represent Ghana at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil in September. Yayra, who has a Ghanaian father from Mafi - Adidome in the Volta Region and an American mother of German and Persian ancestry, expressed confidence that her exceptional qualities would win the coveted global Miss Universe crown for Ghana.

Since winning the Miss Universe Ghana title, Yayra has come under the spotlight in Ghana and across the world for a variety of reasons including pageant analysts putting her in the top 10 bracket, questions about her nationality, and doubts about the selection process for the contest.

The Miss Universe Pageant, dedicated to advancing the professional, personal and humanitarian goals of young women, is a partnership of Donald J. Trump, a US real estate developer and billionaire, and major television network, NBC Universal Incorporated DONDO

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Obrafour Do ndo Afr i ca Achi eve ments Gala Music Act

O

ne of Ghana’s leading Hip-Life artists of all time, Obrafour, is back in a big way, headlining the 1st Annual DONDO Magazine African Achievements Gala in New York City.

At 32 years old, Kwabena Okyere Darko, aka Obrafour (Twi for executioner) is already a mainstay artist in Ghanaian music with many of Ghana’s up and coming stars paying homage to the man they call rap royalty.

Obrafour is the single pioneer artist in the Hip-Life industry with the most relevance today. His music is infused with dynamic and poi-ant lyrics sure to leave you pondering on the subject matter he addresses. In fact, such is the power of his lyrics that fans in Ghana have labeled him ‘The Rap Sofo’ (Rap

Priest).

He released his first album ‘Pae mu ka’ in 1999 which went on to become an acclaimed success. The album boasted many hits including ‘Kwame Nkrumah’, ‘Yaanom’, and ‘Agoro no aso’ among others and Obrafour won many prestigious awards for ‘Pae mu ka’ including ‘Rapper of the Year’, ‘New Artist of the Year’, and ‘Best Hip-Life Song of the Year’ at the 2000 Ghana Music Awards.

The ‘Pae mu ka’ album success was groundbreaking for its originality and quality, leaving pundits to label the album the ‘best Hip-Life album ever produced in Ghana.’ The album also cemented its producer, Hammer, as the premier hits maker in Ghana.

Obrafour released his sophomore album, ‘Asem sebe’ in 2001. The album also

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had many hits including the first ever rap gospel song (EnyE Nyame a) in Ghana. ‘Asem sebe’ was not as acclaimed as ‘Pae mu ka’ however it sold many more copies showing Obrafour’s expanding fan base.

When Obrafour released the hit single ‘Maame’ in 2002 to remember his mother and as a dedication to all mothers, it became an instant Ghanaian musical classic that is to this day, played on every mother’s day in Ghana.

Obrafour released 2 albums in 2003. ‘Time Out for Adhesion (TOFA)’ was released early 2003 and continued to show his creative side by singing on this album. ‘Dee dee ko’, ‘Nyamekye’ and ‘Sete’ were highlife hits on the album and it went on to become very successful with its sales. ‘NteteE Pa’ was released late 2003 and carried a number of remixes from the ‘TOFA’. The lead single ‘Nya NteteE Pa’ was released in time for Obrafour’s efforts with Ghana’s then vice president to fight indiscipline in Ghana. The song has been described as the most lyrically intense Hip-Life song ever. It won ‘Best Original Song’ at the Ghana Music Awards UK IN 2004. Other hits from this album includes ‘Oye Ohene’ remix, ‘Who Hah Bless’ and ‘Sete’ remix.

Obrafour is shaping the Ghana music culture. He is also impacting the social conscience of the nation with his outreach, Platinum Project which is an initiative to promote discipline habits in schools, combat drugs, and raise one hundred million cedis for the charity H.E.L.P (Hip-Life Education and Literacy Project), which he also owns.

In late 2009, after a brief ahetus to address some personal matters, Obrafour returned on the Hip-Life scene and silenced his critics with the mega smash hit, “Kaseibo”. The single was a feverish hit in Ghana and has left many eagerly waiting for his latest album to hit the stores late 2010. As with tradition with Obrafour, ‘Kaseibo’ won an award at the 2010 Ghana Music Awards for ‘Best Collaboration Song of the Year’

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The age old rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria took a musical turn during Ghana’s 51st Republic Day celebrations in Accra when some of the top musicians from Ghana faced off with their Nigerian counterparts in a musical showdown dubbed, ‘Ghana Meets Naija’.

Music fans from both nationalities and indeed from all over Africa trooped the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre to enjoy musical performance by the top selling West African acts. Performing on the Ghana side were: Efya, Stay J, Keche, Ruff N Smooth, VIP, 4x4, Castro and Asamoah Gyan, Kwaw Kesse, Dr Cryme, Sarkodie, R2bees and Guru with guest appearances from El, Stonebwoy, and Dadie Opanka. Although outnumbered by the Ghanaian musicians, Nigeria’s representatives, 2face Idibia, Naeto C, 9ice and J Martins weren’t about to go down without a fight.

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For a concert that was billed like a football match, the best highlights included surprise appearances from Ghana Black Stars footballers, Sulley Muntari, Dede Ayew, Prince Tagoe, Laryea Kingson, Stephen Appiah, John Paintsil and Togolese international football star, Emmanuel Adebayor. The footballers got the crowd wild when they were called on stage to dance. Adebayor and Kingson were however the most willing to dance from the group.

According to Kwabena ‘Bola Ray’ Anokye Adisi, CEO of Empire Entertainment, organizers of the event, another ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ concert will be staged at the O2 Arena in UK in August for the Nigerian and Ghanaian community there. This will be followed by the crowning ‘Ghana Meets Naija’ concert on October 1 in Nigeria to mark the country’s 51st Independence Day anniversary.

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FEATURE

Faces and Fashion at Mirror Boy Ghana Premiere

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By Ameyaw Debrah Photos by Ameyaw Debrah

he increasing cinema culture in Ghana received a huge boost in June when the stars of the award winning movie, ‘The Mirror Boy’ stormed the Silverbird Cinema in Accra for the Ghana premiere. The glitzy red carpet event saw in attendance three of the main cast for the movie including the original Nollywood screen goddess, Genevieve Nnaji; Gambian showbiz royalty, Fatima Jabbe; the diminutive comedy star Osita Iheme, who is only small in size but a household face in homes across Africa and the Diaspora.

Also present were African movie buffs that came to see the movie and also to grab photo opportunities with the best of African cinema stars present.

The list of Ghanaian movie stars present included actress Beverly Afaglo, veteran actor Kojo Domenyor, the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards best Actress, Ama K Abebrese, who was also the host for the premiere and a host of others.

The Ghana premiere was the second African premiere for ‘The Mirror Boy’, following the well attended Gambian premiere, and is part of a journey of world premieres that started at London’s world famous Empire Leicester Square in February.

Tijan, a London born teenage African boy (Edward Kagutuzi) is taken by his mother Teema (Genevieve Nnaji) to visit Gambia for the first time. At a crowded street market called Serekunda, he suddenly becomes separated from his mother and soon finds himself lost in the African wilderness. Bewildered and confused, he must find his way back. But to that, he must confront his deepest fears and embark on a journey of self-discovery, led by the enigmatic Mirror Boy (Osita Iheme); where the lines between reality and fantasy, physical and spiritual become forever blurred. His arrival at a small village called Makasutu upsets an evil Queen (Fatima Jabbe) who wields her magical powers against his innocent presence. A mystical and cathartic climax helps Tijan to unravel the mystery of The Mirror Boy and why his life was inter-twined with a man he has never met.

‘The Mirror Boy’ has won Best Young Actor (Edward Kagutuzi) at the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards, and Best Breakthrough Performance (Genevieve Nnaji) at the Monaco Film Festival 2011.

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in Ci ncin nati, Oh i o

Story by Ernest Adjei Photos by A – Klass Multimedia.

he first GhanaFest in Ohio was hosted by the Ghanaian Men’s Club of Cincinnati on September 11, 2010. The event was festive and cultural. In attendance were Royalty from the Midwest, Political dignitaries, and Africans from the Midwest of United States.

The event was chaired by Nana Sintim Nyame I, King of Ghanaians in Cincinnati (The first of such a Royal position). Special Guest was Mr. Cecil Thomas from the Mayor’s office.

In his address, the Chairman of The Ghanaian Men’s Club of Cincinnati, Mr. Ernest Adjei, pointed out the significance of the GhanaFest in Ohio. The Men’s club whose primary mission is to educate the young generation of Ghanaians in the Ohio State about the Ghanaian culture, have organized events in the Cincinnati area to benefit Ghanaian community in the past. Chairman

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Adjei also pointed out the charity works that the Men’s club had accomplished in the past. Such charity works include, donation to the Katrina fund, donation of education supplies to schools in Ghana, free annual mother’s day celebration for all mothers in Cincinnati etc.

Mr. Cecil Thomas, a political power, from Cincinnati thanked the Men’s club for such an occasion. Mr. Thomas presented a decree from the Cincinnati Mayor’s office to the Ghanaian Men’s Club of Cincinnati making September 11, GhanaFest day in Cincinnati.

The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of Ghana. The royalty displayed their fine traditional attire and vendors sold different Ghanaian cuisine, African artifacts and African clothing to the public.

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FEATURE

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ormer Ghana President John Agyekum Kufuor will share the USD$250,000 World Food Prize with another former world leader, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at an official ceremony during the World Food Symposium in Des Moise, Iowa in October 2011.

During an announcement ceremony were the two leaders were announced as joint winners of the 2011 World Food Prize in Washington in June, 2011, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize, said in a statement that both President Kufuor and Silva “have set a powerful example for other political leaders in the world” with their accomplishments.

Mr. Kufuor, a two term former President of Ghana, won for cutting hunger levels in Ghana by half during his eight-year rule of the former world leading cocoa producing country. Mr. Silva, himself a two-term president, won for initiating the Silva Zero Hunger Program which provided greater access to food, strengthened family farms and increased school enrollment in Brazil that has resulted in a reduction of malnutrition in Brazil by nearly 62 percent.

Under Kufuor’s leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to reach the United Nation’s Millennium project goal of reducing by more than half, the number of people in their country going hungry by 2015.

According to the World Food Prize Foundation, Ghana’s hunger levels dropped from 34 percent to 9 percent during 2001-2009

Former Ghana Leader Shares Food Prize Win

By Kwabena Adade

when Mr. Kufuor was president. The foundation adds that the number of people living in poverty was also reduced from 51.7 percent in 1991 to 26.5 percent in 2006.

The ex-President told BBC Network African Program before the announcement that he credits dramatic improvement in Ghana’s cocoa industry as the catalyst for him winning the prize.

According to the program, cocoa production doubled to more than 700,000 tones during the former Presidents first three years in office and Mr. Kufuor added that his government achieved this by modernizing and commercializing cocoa farming.

Other food produce benefitted from the economic reforms the Kufuor administration initiated to improve public investment in agriculture and food production. Crops such as maize, cassava, yams, and plantain as well as livestock production increased significantly during the Kufuor administration.

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ority.

a major contributor to reducing chronic hunger and malnutrition as well as to improve school enrollment.

In fact, according to the World Food Prize Foundation, by the end of 2010, more than 1 million students in Ghana were participating in the program.

The former president acknowledged these accomplishments and pointed out that governments can reduce hunger if they make it a pri-

He noted that his government focused on boosting agriculture because around 60 percent of Ghanaians lived in rural areas and relied heavily on farming for their survival.

Mr Kufuor added that his government knew “if we improved agriculture, we will be fighting unemployment and poverty.”

The president appealed to African countries to pay more attention to improving farming methods, citing that “Africa has 60% of the world’s unfarmed arable land,” and that Africa “needs to use science and technology to produce food competitively.”

The World Food Prize was created 25 years ago by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Bourlag to recognize the role of national leaders in fighting hunger. Borlaug was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1970 for his efforts to increase food production in developing countries with the use of hybrid crops.

He died in 2009.

COVER

The Vlisco Way

By Ernest Marbell

Renowned ‘Wax Hollandais’ manufacturer, Vlisco, has been designing and manufacturing authentic ‘Wax Hollandais’ fabrics worn as fashion garments and accessories by elegant, flamboyant and royale elite African women since 1846. Today, Vlisco is the sole producers of Wax Hollandais in the world, offering customers an authentic Hollandis product that is unique to the touch, rich, durable, and in bold colors to be worn on both sides and resist coloring. cont. pg. 103

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There are a few Vlisco ‘owned’ boutiques which are based in key West and Central African nations including Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

Vlisco was founded by Pieter Fentener Van Vlissingen and his family in the Netherlands.

The company was known as Van Vlissingen & Co and was originally a company that produced batik inspired, hand printed fabrics for the European market. Six years later the family decided to start selling these fabrics to Indonesia. By the end of the 19th century, following his success in Asia but blocked by government rules, Pieter Fentener van Vlissingen turns his attention to the African market, after the return of African soldiers from Indonesia.

A huge potential was discovered, in particular in West Africa. The combination of the African sun, the bright colors, the stories and the amazing continent’s people and landscapes made the design image turn into a different way. From that moment, Vlisco’s

designers made the outspoken, bold and brightly colored typical designs that are so recognizably Vlisco.

This experience resonated with the Africans and Vlisco quickly won the hearts and minds of the African public.

Dondo Magazine discussed the ‘Vlisco Way’ with Ester Huigen, Vlisco Brand Communications Manager. We asked Huigen why Vlisco decided to invest resources in Africa during an era of complexity between Africa and Europe. The extremely professional Huigen responded by saying that Vlisingen & Co. “were intrigued by the bold and powerful African identity and since this influence, the company’s business took a change of its own.”

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tional point of view, it is fair to say that Vlisco has made a permanent home in Africa. The company bought factories in Ghana (GTP) and Ivory Coast (Uniwax and Woodin) in the 1990’s while maintaining their corporate office and a factory in the Netherlands (the only factory outside Africa) where the Vlisco brand is uniquely developed and produced.

Although by far the largest part of the goods are sold through third parties, there are a few Vlisco ‘owned’ boutiques which are based in key West and Central African nations including Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin.

There are over 20 owned Woodin retail stores spread over the same region. cont. pg. 105

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more importantly it keeps in mind the long and deep cultural links between the Netherlands and Africa in everything it does.” She added that “Vlisco is not a company that follows trends but a company that creates their own trends. Trends usually come and go but a company that stays true to its brand identity and values can be very renewing while at the same time becoming timeless.”

Huigen makes it clear that the Vlisco customer is a luxury customer with impeccable taste who can continue to count on Vlisco boutiques for the total Vlisco brand experience. “What is unique about these Vlisco boutiques,” she proudly points out, “is that the main objective is to inspire the consumer. It is not a ready to wear fashion house but consumers can enter a Vlisco boutique and buy fabrics or enter with their own tailor, buy fabric and decide to recreate an outfit like the ones that are presented.”

She continues, “Vlisco has always been about co-creation; the design and production of the fabric starts at Vlisco, and there is no end product until the consumer has bought the fabric and made a beautiful outfit out of it”.

Altogether, Vlisco Group has 4 brands; Wooden which caters the younger Pan African customer, GTP which is specific for the Ghana market, Uniwax which is specific for the Ivory Coast market, and Vlisco which is the brand in the luxury segment aiming at sophisticated African women of style in Africa and abroad.

We can certainly say that the four brands have become a religion to their followers.

In furthering Vlisco’s brand, the company’s philosophy is to design colorful and fashionable fabrics that are essential part of West and Central Africa. Huigen added that Vlisco’s designs are developed by a design department in the Netherlands. The company is immensely committed to protect designs.

Huigen interjected that “design is a central strategy at Vlisco; we want to be known as a design house. Fabric design is the main focus

On the topic of relevance, Huigen’s emphasizes remained on designs and brand experiences noting that Vlisco “stays relevant to the current generation by leading the fashion trend in Africa by way of introducing new collections in every quarter so that consumers can be inspired and motivated to follow Vlisco’s lead.” Huigen also noted that Vlisco’s design team is inspired by Vlisco’s principles and values and that the company is “timeless” and committed to “use lots of triggers around” to remain inspired. She elaborated that the design team uses, “Everything around them, small or large, in Africa or global and translate that into new design concepts to ensure that the final design product is “refreshing”. but design at Vlisco is not only to fabric. Design is the driver in everything we do; from creating fabric designs to Vlisco Fashion, from creating an image campaign to marketing activities.”

Designing means being innovative and Huigen brought this up when asked how Vlisco maintains its traditions while staying abreast with generational change. Huigen quipped that “Vlisco designs maintain its heritage and innovate at the same time and

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There are four sets of brand values that has propelled Vlisco success machinery; Imagination, Quality, Elegance, and Class. Huigen explains, “Imagination is the most distinguishable of the four. Quality is not only in the product but also in the total experience of the brand. Elegance and Class are a basic essential at Vlisco.”

She continues, “Every collection, every design and everything that Vlisco and its employees do must be in keeping with these brand values, the embodiment of the Vlisco brand.” cont. pg. 107

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Vlisco Group is a healthy company and is recently on an even firmer ground after the 2010 acquisition by Actis, an ambitious private equity firm based in London that specializes in emerging markets. In 2010, Vlisco reported an impressive earnings report of 180 million euros from all four brands.

Huigen credited Actis for giving Vlisco Group a framework of corporate professionalism and securities in the business aspect.

The company is very optimistic about its future prospects in Africa. Vlisco Group has outlined an aggressive plan to strengthen the position of the brands in existing markets like Nigeria and DR Congo and to expand the brands into untapped countries for example in the east part of Africa, Cameroon, Gabon and Mali among others. There will be an expansion in its already successful Vlisco tailor academies in Africa to educate tailors on how to study and look at designs and technology education. The Vlisco brand will also increase the number of launches, supported by more extensive marketing activity. Vlisco will also be more prominent online, particularly on social media websites, e-business, etc.

According to Huigen “Vlisco is tailor-made for Africa and is very content with serving the African consumer.” She assured that Vlisco will continue to “innovate, set standards, and meet the public’s very demands and credited Africans as very smart and demanding of quality; traits that Vlisco has built on since its inception. Finally, Huigen revealed that Vlisco will offer more innovation in designs and that the company’s new products, for example the Luxury editions (embroidered fabrics, laces etc.) which are now available only in the Vlisco Boutiques, will be made available to the African consumer on a slightly broader scale soon.

“With all these plans, we try not only to stay connected with our current consumers but also to strongly appeal to younger generations of African women”.

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Leila Djansi

Award winning film maker,

talks about successes, challenges and the way forward for Ghanaian cinema DONDO

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I

By Ameyaw Debrah Phots by Ameyaw Debrah

nternational Ghanaian film maker, Leila Djansi’ return to Ghanaian cinema has been nothing short of amazing as back to back, she has received notable nominations and wins at several international awards including the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) with her critically acclaimed films. Her 2009 production, ‘I Sing of a Well’ topped the AMAA nominations list in 2010 with 11 nominations, winning 3 awards. She also recently received the BAFTA Los Angeles 2011 Pan African Film Festival Choice Prize with the same movie.

In 2010 Leila returned with another critically acclaimed movie, ‘Sinking Sands’ this time rolling in Haitian Hollywood star, Jimmy Jean-Loius and introducing Ama K, Abebrese in the leads. The psychological drama about a loving marriage that turns into abuse due to a domestic accident won 5 awards including Best Picture at the inaugural Ghana Movie Awards. ‘Sinking Sand’ has also received 9 nominations in the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards and won 3 awards including Best Make-Up, Best Actress and Best Screenplay.

This year, Leila returned to lights, camera and action with her upcoming drama, ‘Tides That Bind’, about three women from different walks of life bound together by a similar pain; the loss of a child. In a destined meeting in a small village in Kroboland, the women journey together to redemption, love, life and forgiveness as they renovate a dilapidated clinic for the villagers. It stars ‘Black Hollywood’ sweetheart Kimberly Elise, Nollywood diva Omotola Jolade Ekeinde, Ama K Abebrese, John Dumelo,

David Dontoh, Kofi Adjorlolo and others.

Her success however hasn’t come easy or smooth; she has been tagged as the ‘iron lady’ on Ghanaian cinema for her feistiness, ambition and outspokenness. In this revealing interview, Leila Djansi addresses some misconceptions about her career and ambitions and even talks about continuing the ‘Legion of Slaves’ trilogy that started beautifully with ‘I Sing of a Well’ and grinded to a halt following a media battle over rights with co-producer Akorfa E. Aseidu.

“The words pride, joy, appreciation, excited, the grace and favor of God run through my mind. I think the AMAA’s are a great thing and I also strongly believe my bump to the limelight came through the AMAA. I had heard comments like ‘what credentials do you have’ and ‘Leila is a nobody’ from people who tried to undermine me. Then the AMAAs happened and suddenly, the rhythms of the drums changed. I was like wow. God does do wonders,” Leila reflects on her success so far.

One of Leila’s trademarks since she got into the limelight has been her seeming affinity to combine Hollywood stars with African stars. Is it strategic or a mere passion to see the two worlds unite? According to the film maker, it is to widen the market.

“It’s not fair that we watch all their movies and they don't watch ours. It takes stars to shine. If you want attention and profit for your business, use the stars. That’s what they are there for. I do that also for artistic reasons. I do not like being limited. If I have a story and I strongly believe its Halle Berry who can carry the role, I will go after her and cast here at all cost.”

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ments which the film maker does not always find readily available in her homecountry, Ghana. The lack of infrastructural support, emotional support and financial support has threatened to make Leila go on hibernation after ‘Ties That Bind’. She says that she may come back after a while but needs a break because she does not like to be limited.

“I refuse to fall from grace or live within a confined space. I don't think that’s my destiny. My journey has been a miracle, a miracle especially after the huge loss I suffered after ‘I Sing of a Well’. God does not confine His children. I am moving up towards directing bigger stars, higher budgets, and bigger projects. I need to expand my territory by the grace of God. I need to train myself for such heights. I intend to make the second installment of ‘I sing of a Well’ very soon.”

Leila also lists equipment and unskilled crew as some of the challenges faced in making films in Ghana. She adds that actors are usually running between 2 or 3 productions at the same time and there are no structures. She continues: “The theaters have monopoly, the public does not understand art and they purchase anything that comes on the market and then have no more money to buy the good stuff. They borrow movies from friends, they demand free tickets. Really, there is no marketing structure because the sad truth is there is no industry.

We call it an industry, but the mechanics that drive an industry are nowhere to be found”.

It is not all gloom and doom as Leila thinks Ghanaian and African cinema is gradually improving. She hopes to see practitioners forming a coalition which will represent out good films to Hollywood and other industries. “Let’s even forget Hollywood. Right here on the African continent, we have a huge market but it’s bordered and those borders must be removed. Our film industry on the continent must create its own market and worth. ”

UP-CLOSE h a o m a s A b a Kw with Designer

as he opens a shop in Accra

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By Ameya Debrah Photos by Ameyaw Debrah

try. According to Kwab, Kustom Looks Ghana will operate in the same manner as in the US. Clients will be able to select from 3000 fabrics that will be available to them from Italy, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and the UK. The items will still be manufactured in the Bangkok factory and shipped directly to Ghana. All items will be individually hand sewn and customized to each person.

Dondo magazine caught up with the designer, who is easily recognized by his signature “measuring tape” that reflects his passion and commitment to his craft.

fter his almost overnight success in the Washington DC area and beond, award-winning Ghanaian international designer, Kwab Asamoah has finally taken his Kustom Looks Clothier trademark to Ghana. Kustom Looks Ghana, located inside the A&C Mall in East Legon, has been opened to the general public to allow them enjoy top class handmade suits and garment made not for just anybody but their body, as the clothier’s tagline implies.

Kwab Asamoah is the tailor to some of the most prominent African American political and business leaders in the Washington area. He has managed to create a stellar reputation in the fashion industry that has his competitors taking notice. In less than six years, he was able to expand a meager custom apparel business operating from his home to a thriving and dynamic fashion corporation. Today, his all-natural hand tailored custom suits, manufactured in his exclusive Bangkok factory, start at $695 and can range upward of $3,500.

His loyal clientele numbers in the thousands around the world and include national politicians, broadcasters, ministers, athletes, head of states, and business professionals.

In 2010 he was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the business and fashion indus-

How did it start?

My background is in engineering and physics, so it wasn’t anything that I dreamt about but the entrepreneur in me was interested in having his own business. I have been trying to have my own company since I was 21, and it was in fashion where it worked out. I started the company in my bedroom and then we were able to move into a studio by a year later. In 2008, we opened our showroom in downtown Silver Springs, MD. In 2010 we opened our second store in Capitol Hill, right next to the US Congress and we are coming home to Ghana.

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What is your clientele base like?

Do you only design for Africans and African-Americans?

Our loyal clientele numbers in the thousands around the world and include national politicians, broadcasters, ministers, athletes, head of states, and business professionals.

This includes 10% of executives that comprise the Top 100 Black Businesses in the United States. We represent some prominent professionals in the Washington metropolitan area including the head of the republicans, Michael Steele and some professional athletes. Most of our clients are broadcasters, as a matter of fact in the DC area; we represent more people on TV than anybody else. Each night, there is someone on TV wearing one of our suits, from men to women. The number one news anchor in the DC area, Leon Harris who has worked for CNN wears our suits daily.

I would say about 90% of our clients are African-Americans mainly because when we started the company, I lived at Prince Georgia County, which is the most affluent county for African-Americans. So when I started the company, majority of my clientele were those in my surroundings. Since we moved to Silver Spring, we have been able to diversify our products and we now have different races that wear our garments.

So we expect that trend to continue now that we have moved into DC and Capitol Hill, we are picking more Congressional folks.

Is there a way you can incorporate African fabrics or motifs in your designs?

What differentiates your clothing from other brand that gets you such loyal clientele?

Not really, what I am attempting to work on is to take the styles that we see in Africa and put it into more European-centred garments.

What I mean is that a lot of ladies back home in Africa wear beautiful pieces from skirts to tops and those particular styles I think would translate well in America.

However the American is more conservative with business so he wouldn’t wear the local prints from Africa; it’s a little bit more colourful and cheerful than he would want in the workplace. So if we can take the same style and give it to them in a grey, black or blue, they would wear it. That’s going to be one of the trends I am going to look into.

We will try to take the styles from Africa and put it with the more universal European fabrics and see if we can get that out for a fashion show.

Starting the company, our biggest trend was to serve each client directly and individually. So we don’t make anything that is a general size; everything is made 100% by hand and customized to each individual person. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to make a garment but we feel that it is the best garment that the client has. And what we have seen is that our clients tend to wear our clothes to the most important occasions and meetings.

As a tailor, what new trends have you observed in fashion?

The main thing that I am seeing now is that people are getting back to dress. Up to about 2007, it was pretty urban so we saw people in a lot of jeans and a lot t-shirts but those things are starting to change now. Even in the hip-hop arena we now see people wearing jeans and they wear it with a sport jacket. The days are starting to come in which the African-American community is starting to realize that with people like President Barack Obama in different positions, they have to be in a position to address their looks. So people are dressing and looking better. I think Obama has set a different precedence for the African-American race and I think we are taking a different conscience about our appearance, which is great for us because people are getting back to the button-up shirts, getting into jackets and starting to realize the value of the suit.

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Kwab believes that Ghana fashion is on the up and Ghana has become the New York of Africa. According to him, there is tons of tailoring and manufacturing labour in Ghana and Kustom Looks Ghana hopes to set up its own factory someday. He adds that he is trying to capture the same market in Ghana as in the US; that is, the working professional who values quality and fashion.

“There are numerous individuals who travel outside of Ghana in order to purchase high quality garments. Our goal is to circumvent this process by opening a store directly in the country. So hopefully these individuals will not have to travel outside of our country in order to find quality clothes.”

TRAVEL

PEMBA

-An Island Get Away

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By Abena Asante

or the adventurous travelers seeking intimacy with nature, marine life and eco-friendly environmental surroundings, you should consider visiting the tiny island in East Africa known as Pemba.

Barely 50 kilometers off the coast of Tanzania in East Africa and on the Indian Ocean Pemba is an island that is part of the Zazibar archipelago.

The island is one of the three islands that form the famous Spice Islands in the Indian Ocean.

The size of this tiny island is measured at only 980km and is inhabited by a population of a little over 300,000 people. Over the years, a large population of Arabs migrated from nearby Oman to mix in with the original Waswahill natives who identifies themselves as Shirazi people.

Once on the island, tourists are sure to be enchanted by the hilly areas of the island. They offer breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean once you are able to climb up. The island’s soil is very fertile and a good source for the population to cultivate on small scale farming. Some areas on the island are used for large scale farming of cash crops such as cloves-the predominant trees on the island.

As an island, tourists expect ocean water and Pemba does not disappoint in this area. There are crystal clear blue Indian Ocean water boarded by some of the cleanest, white sand beach surrounding the island.

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According to tourist, the island over the years has become wellknown for its dive sites which have steep drop-offs with untouched coral and an abundance of marine life ideal for deep water divers. In fact, active tourists often seek the shores off Pemba because the shores are un-crowded and the reefs are unspoiled. Experience divers are attached to such conditions.

Some preferred activities on the island includes snorkeling, (the gentle pleasure of floating above the sea’s coral gardens), diving, and excursions such as mangrove canoe trips, local fishing, and ngezi forest trips.

Pemba’s other famous attraction is the fishing grounds. The island’s rich fishing grounds can be found on 20 miles wide Pemba channels that travels between the island and the mainland. This activity has also become one of the most profitable fishing grounds for game fishing on the entire east African coast.

Despite all the aforementioned famous things to do and see on Pemba, the most famous thing on are the cloves on Pemba. The island inhabits the greatest concentration of cloves seen anywhere on earth. There are over 3.5 million trees that cover a vast mainland area of the island giving visitors additional forestry attraction to visit.

Pema’s tourism is booming and it is fast becoming the preferred destination choice for vacationers. You never know, it could be your next African vacation destination.

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REAL ESTATE

I

When to Buy and When to Rent

By Jonathan Weiss

f you have ever lived in an apartment where you have to share the common good with your neighbor or you happen to rent from an over-zealous landlord, you will probably take steps to own your own home. But if the above is your primary motivation for buying a home, I am afraid you are in over your head. This instant gratification and entitled attitude to home ownership in America has landed many working class families into a financial pitfall that has taken a toll on everything they have worked so hard to build.

Truly, home ownership if done right is one of the smartest investments out there. The caveat is to know when you are ready to own a home because it is a lifetime investment decision that one ought to approach with caution.

The rule of thumb is that until you are financially ready to buy your dream home, it pays to rent! Consider these:

1. The saying that ‘‘if you rent you are throwing your money away’’ may not necessarily be true since studies have shown that over time, there is no real financial gain between renting and owning because home values have stopped appreciating since 2006. This is an essential fact granted that most people buy homes with the hope of building equity in their lives and creating an asset of value.

2. The opportunity cost of investing in a home is so great that for one to gain financially from it, it has to be done right. Imagine the list of investment portfolios you could be doing with your money if you had not spent it on mortgage and living in a cheap rental apartment until you are ready to buy your dream home. Do not be fooled by current sweetheart home sale deals since you are going to be in for the long haul. You can easily end up spending three times the

ing to lend, the maximum amount consumers should borrow for a home is three times their gross annual income. For example, someone who grosses $50,000 a year should borrow a maximum of $150,000 to purchase a home.’’

purchase price of a house. Today’s buyer of a typical $300,000 single-family home who takes out a 30-year loan will end up paying the price of the house again just in interest. Add 30 years of property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, regular maintenance and a couple of bigticket repairs or improvements, and the total cost of buying the home could easily top out at well over $1 million.

3. Rental comes with no financial commitment as well as the luxury of not mortgaging your future on unknown circumstances.

We are all aware of the home foreclosure crisis and the effects it is having on quality of life and personal credit records of those affected. The media has done its best to portray the irresponsible actions taken by most of these people. However, it is equally true to say that a sizable number of these people have just become victims of a broad financial downturn. So why not rent to avoid all these mess!

As it has been argued consistently in this piece, there are many good reasons to buy a home as long as you are financially sound to do so. Consider the following:

1. The first step is to limit the total mortgage amount. According to experts, ‘‘regardless of how much a financial company is willDONDO

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2. Limit the amount spent on total houserelated expenses per month. To successfully keep your home, you should not spend more than 30 percent of your gross income on house payment including utilities, repairs and maintenance. ‘‘For instance, a family that grosses $3,000 a month should spend no more than $840 a month on the mortgage payment and $1,050 on total expenses, including repairs, utilities and maintenance.’’

3. Thoroughly understand the terms of your mortgage before you agree to it. This may sound trivial but if you are familiar with the term sub-prime loan, you will probably consider this seriously. Again, experts have maintained that even ‘‘if you don't want to look at all those pages, it's a good idea to have a real estate lawyer look at it. It will cost you some money, but it may save you a lot in the future."

4. Finally, stay away from zero (0) down payment deals! Going for zero down payment makes you vulnerable to predatory loans because you have no leverage in the process. Making a down payment actually gives you a sense of investment.

Having considered the above factors, there are a number of financial incentives that the first time home buyer can take advantage of to save money. This includes the federal government generous tax credit for qualified first time home buyer of up to $8000.

There may also be other state level assistance to first time home buyers. You are encouraged to research this information to help you save on closing your home deal.

HEALTH

Body Fitness Tips

By Evans Amoako

Getting in shape is easier than you think and the correct mindset is the starting point. Are you tired of struggling to achieve your weight loss and fitness goals? Or maybe you do go to the gym but don’t seem to be making any progress. What you need is a plan and a bit of a change in lifestyle. Here is a simple list of things that you can do starting today to make sure that you are in your best shape ever.

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Images of fitness guru Evans Amoako doing some of his workouts

Food: Many people who try to get in shape find it difficult to

Commitment: Everyone has a difficult time keeping up

Walk: Walking is one of the best exercises that women and

Healthy food: Healthy Drinks:

know which foods to choose for the best weight loss results.

Unfortunately, today's diets are made up of more fats, more sugars, more carbohydrates and fewer nutritionally rich foods. Moreover, in our busy lives, we tend to eat processed, junk, and fake foods filled with artificial ingredients that have adverse effects on our bodies. My quote I go by when it come to healthy food is: “Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness”.

Don't drink your calories: This is the most important rule to follow. Try not to drink anything that has calories; like soda and sports drinks, only drink water. Always eat natural foods: fresh fruit, vegetables, including potatoes, fresh fish, wholegrain muesli, nuts, seeds, whole meal, wholegrain bread, and brown rice.

men of all ages can do. Walking is easy to do. Walking is a simple and effective way to lose weight, keep in shape and maintain good health. You don’t need any special equipment apart from appropriate clothing and a pair of comfortable shoes. Walking 30 to 40 minutes, everyday will help you to maintain healthy weight also reduce high blood pressure and strengthens your heart.

Water: Our bodies are made of about 70% water. Drinking

water helps you lose weight by burning more calories during regular routine activities and exercises. Statistically, more than 90% of us are dehydrated; we are not getting the amount of water our bodies need to operate at optimal capacity. Water will also keep your body systems, including metabolism and digestion, working properly and give you the energy (and hydration) necessary for exercise. Drinking water can help you lose weight by crowding out the consumption of other fluids like juice and soda that are packed with sugar and calories, it flushes the system of toxins and waste including fat, prevents you from over eating, aids in digestion and keeps your metabolism going. Get at least 7 to 8 glasses of water a day.

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with their exercise schedule from time to time. Some of us, give it up completely after just a week or two. When we make that commitment to get in shape, or become more active, we have to understand the proper way to build a routine, or else we could wind up on the couch again. First, have a specific goals that you will be able to commit to. Everyone already knows that, in order to be healthy, they need to exercise. The first step you need to know is that keeping your commitment to exercise is making the decision that you want to become healthy. You actually have to decide that you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and that your not just exercising to impress someone or for a short term goal. The most important is to make exercise a lifestyle.

Brown Rice Oatmeal Herbal or Green Tea Baked Chicken Fish Light Soup Seeds & Unsalted Nuts or Walnuts

Water Fat free Skim milk or soy Milk Herbal or Green Tea

Basic exercises you can do to stay in shape.

Push ups, Abdominal exercises, Running Jogging or Walking Sports, (soccer, swimming, dance, and Bicycling.)

If you do all of these recommendations, you can be in your best shape and feel confident all the time. But don't stop when you've reached your goal make it lifestyle so you be shape all the time.

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Councilmember

Helen D. Foster

H

Talks about Representing You

By Ernest Marbell Photos by John Oko Nyaku

onorable Helen D. Foster is one of 51 elected officials who represent New Yorkers at the City Hall. She is the Councilmember for District 16 of the Bronx compromising Concourse, Highbridge, Morrisania, Longwood and Melrose. She was first elected in 2001 to succeed her father upon retiring from the seat after over 20 years of public service. She became the first African- American woman elected to a city office from Bronx County. Her hard work, relentless dedication to serving the needs of her district coupled with her constant and open dialogue with her constituent was recognized and duly rewarded by the electorate with landslide reelection victories in 2005 and 2009.

At City Hall, Councilmember Foster is actively involved in committee activities. She in fact chairs the Committee on State and Federal Legislation and she was also the immediate past chair of Committee on Parks and Recreation as well as serving as a member of numerous Committees including Aging, Community Development and Finance.

You may call her a de facto African immigrants (or better still Ghanaian immigrants) Councilmember since a considerable number of the approximately 40 percent black residents of her district are African immigrants. Dondo Magazine was granted an exclusive interview with the Councilmember to keep up with the happening of her district and more importantly to get some insight into her growing cooperation with the African community in her district.

Representing a district characterized as the poorest in the city is likely to bring to bear enormous pressure on the elected official to find ways to match individual needs to the necessary government agencies and nonprofits. Councilmember Foster minced no words by echoing that ‘the people in this community were already in economic depression before the recession caught up with the rest of the country.’’ The median household income of the district is $ 21, 468 compared to that of the entire city which is $55, 980 not to mention the fact that about 94 percent of the district’s 167,588 residents rent their homes.

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Responding to this mounting economic pressure on families in her district, the Councilmember has instituted a five times monthly district meeting to deal with specific areas such as healthcare, housing, childcare, and employment. Her strategy is to ‘‘serve as one stop shopping- meaning when people come here they are hooked up with the necessary agencies to make

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sure those needs are met.’’

Having acknowledged the need to break the cultural barriers among immigrants, Councilmember Foster nonetheless maintained that generally speaking, ‘‘the needs of the African constituent is no different than the needs of Latino or Black American, if someone comes to this office, it is because they are in need, be it housing, healthcare, back rent etc., so at that point, it doesn’t matter where you are from, what matters is that you need assistance.’’ She however pointed out that any community meeting she attends, she make sure to break down

and this is the City Hall for all of us and the fact that we were having Ghana’s independence and knowing that most of what you see at the City Hall was built by enslaved Africans … so that gave me great pride to go there and see the colors and the pride. My only regret was that we just didn’t have enough seats for everyone.’’

Councilmember Foster’s affection for Ghana could not have been a coincidence since her dad has visited the country multiple times. She also plans to visit sometimes soon. She saw President Obama’s visit to Ghana as a very significant event especially

Councilmember Helen D. Foster

those barriers by trying to be approachable and makes sure to leave a business card and tell people where the office is and how they can be of any assistance.

Throughout the conversation, she made it clear that her office doors are wide open for residents to walk in and ask for assistance.

When asked about how connected is her office to the African grassroots organizations in her district, the Councilmember wittily put it that ‘‘I almost always reverse this question and ask how connected are the African grassroots organizations to the office.’’ She went on to say that ‘‘it is easier for them to know about me than it is for me to know about them.’’

Clearly, it appears the Ghanaian community has taken advantage of the Councilmember’s open door policy and has developed a strong relationship with her office. This cooperation is demonstrated by her initiative leading to the proclamation of Ghana’s Independence Day at the City Hall in March, 2010. Reflecting on the event she said that ‘‘I knew it would be a large crowd.

What was so comforting for me was the genuine happiness to be in the City Hall

local politicians are not as aware, alert and engaged with the growing African population in a sense that not knowing their numbers, resources, professional ability, they tend to view this group as not a viable group. She hence encouraged the community to organize itself into a formidable and viable political unit because ‘‘with your growing numbers, it is important that people in government reflect you.’’ The Councilmember’s dad in fact announced at the City Hall event that he is looking forward to a Ghanaian representative at the City Hall. In supporting her dad’s vision, the Councilmember indicated that ‘‘with your

to people of color.

With her being imCouncilmember Foster with her staff workers at mersed for the first District 16 of the Bronx time during the interview, she intimated that ‘to see the first history of education, so many of you being black President who has a real connection professionals, the next step from becoming to the continent and choosing Ghana for his a citizen is becoming engaged civilly and first visit to Africa was very significant to part of that means being in the electoral me. The pride by which all of us (people of process and being able to vote and elect a color) and to see the First Lady, the First Ghanaian representative.’’

Children who were clearly black and know- With only two in five eligible African iming what it must have meant for them to ar- migrants actually taking steps to naturalize, rive in Ghana and to be a part of that the Councilmember advised that ‘anyone celebration was huge to me…just imagine who can become a citizen should and it being Shasha and Maria, you go from ar- does not mean that you forsake your native riving to Ghana on Air Force One and homeland, it is a potential to become a dual daughters of the President to seeing the cas- citizen. While you are here in the U.S you tle and knowing that is where so many peo- might as well be entitled its benefits and ple were ripped from their homeland and one of those is the right to vote.’’ being kids as young as them was quite sigIn closing, Councilmember Foster’s mesnificant.’’ sage to the African community was to ‘‘stay The Councilmember’s assessment of the involved; stay engaged; get the next level political and civic participation of the of education you need and make sure that African constituent is that ‘‘it is better than your elected officials know who you are; most but it could be more. They need to go knock on doors of elected officials; go to view all their elected officials as a resource community meetings; go to prescient and and understand that we as elected officials council meetings; and finally become inwork for them.’’ She also concurred that volved.’’

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Jackie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies has cautioned that the thin line between what he calls sub-state terrorism and trans-national terrorism is bound to complicate things when it comes to fighting terrorism in Africa.

War on Terrorism:

A New Frontier

in West Africa?

T

By Ernest Marbell

he Christmas day botched attempt to use a Northwest Airliner Flight 253 en route from Amsterdam to Detroit as a lethal weapon came as a big shock to all Americans for someone to do such a thing on such a sacred day. It was even more shocking when details emerged that the potential suicide bomber was in fact a native of Nigeria. Worse still, it was beyond shocking when the world learnt of the younger age of the alleged culprit and his rich family connection.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23 year old Nigerian alleged bomb carrier apparently spent most of his time outside the shores of the West African country. It is not clear whether he was influenced by radical Islamic ideology whist domiciling in a $ 4 million Central London apartment and studying engineering at the University College in London. What is clear though is that he broke ties with his family and fled to

Yemen where he was alleged to have been recruited by Al qaeda in the Arab Peninsula which claimed responsibility for the foiled attempt.

America and the other Western nations have spent the past weeks brooding over how on earth was Abdulmutallab allowed to board a plane to the U.S. considering the fact that his own father, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, a former minister and chairman of First Bank in Nigeria reportedly approached the U.S. intelligence and hinted them about his son’s recent radical Islamic attitude. It is equally important for countries in West Africa particularly Nigeria and Ghana (the two countries involved in Abdulmutallab’s journey of death itinerary) to reflect over the potential of the sub-region being adopted as the new safe haven for global terrorism before it becomes too late.

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Accused terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab global terrorism as we know it now has deep-seated roots in West Africa but the potential is very ripe. Jackie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies has cautioned that the thin line between what he calls substate terrorism and trans-national terrorism is bound to complicate things when it comes

to fighting terrorism in Africa. The author’s argument was that there exists a strong tendency for Al Qaeda recruiters to merge their agenda into existing tribal war, guerrilla warfare, and insurgency movements in Africa. Remember the famous saying that ‘‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.’’ This has already taken shape in North Africa where Qaeda has morphed into what is called Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a radical group born of the Algerian civil war. It is up to our governments and noble citizens to guard against such sentiments no matter how tempting the rewards are. It is clearly not our nature to shed innocent blood to prove a point.

Another potential for Qaeda recruitment in West Africa is purely economic. Considering our domestic economic conditions, people will do anything for money and since Al Qaeda is a deep pocket, some folks may be attracted to work for them without necessarily being radicalized or believing in their

cause. It may definitely be painstaking and time consuming task to find West Africans willing to don the infamous suicide strap and vest but evidently, it may be much easier to recruit people to run errands such as arranging for air tickets, wiring money and providing a decoy for would-be suicide bombers.

Our rather low-tech intelligent community and unstable political institutions may equally provide a potential for Qaeda and its proxies to turn to our shores. Clearly, intelligence and counter-intelligence gathering in our part of the world is very porous and rudimentary in part because we do not have access to state-of-art technology to collect and process information. Our inability to keep paper trails and more importantly connect the dots may prove self-fulfilling to the terrorists.

The danger of radical Islamic terrorists subverting our toothing democracies for their DONDO

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own agenda is real. This has already happened in Kenya and Tanzania where U.S. embassies were targeted in 1998. It is also not clear whether the on-going war on pirates in Somalia bears some terrorist semblance.

In the nutshell, the international community particularly the U.S has to work with West Africa to bolster its intelligence gathering and also increase aid to enable these governments to be able to confront the bread and butter front of the war. We know that some initiatives such as the U.S Africa Command (Africom) have already taken roots to revamp the clandestine intelligence gathering as well as winning the hearts and minds of the populace before Qaeda lure them to its side, yet events leading to Abdulmuttalab’s case serve as a teaching moment to us all that there are still more to be done.

S

By Jonathan Weiss

INCE 2005, Lexus has designed and designed and redesigned the LFA series from bottom up. Finally, the much anticipated supercar debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo in December 2009 and is slated to be available to the general public

by December 2010.

Toyota announced at the Tokyo show that the Toyota factory in Japan will be producing only 500 units at a production rate of 20 cars per month.

With the summer soon upon us, the privileged early owners can race this car down highways and steal some attention from dreaming onlookers.

From a design standpoint, the LFA’s exterior may have a muscular design the commands on the roads but the car is carefully designed to be in tuned with aerodynamics and airflow management in a way that enables it to glide effortlessly on the roads.

On the other hand, once inside, the interior tells a different story with its design that combines stateof-the-art instrument-panel design and technology with a variety of custom-tailored interior trim packages to satisfy the most demanding driver.

The car is built to last and is designed with racecar engineering from the onset. The Chassis is a one-piece, carbon-fiber tub that is removable in the front and rear aluminum Sub-frames. These Sub-frames support the driveline, bumpers, and fenders and are important to maintain since they can be replaced to repair accident damages.

The car’s engine power thrusts via a rigid torque tube to a 6-speed sequential Lexus calls ASG. This system uses an electro hydraulic system that shifts in 200ms.

As with all Lexus models, safety remains a top priority for the automaker and the LFA follows this tradition. The car has a truck-sized high performance Carbon Ceramic brake discs and an electronically controlled braking system that generates an ultra-powerful yet stable braking system for drivers. To prevent excessive over-steering, the LFA has a computer called VDIM that coordinates several systems. One primary system is VSC which detects speed, slip, and yaw to direct the car towards the driver’s steering angle.

The driver is definitely the center of focus in the LFA and the car is designed as a Driver Centered car to support this theory. To achieve this theory, the LFA is designed by way of positioning the driver’s seat near the car’s center of gravity to give the driver a more balanced control of the car at all times when driving.

The 2 seat Supercar LFA is the pinnacle of Lexus’s “F” premium sports car series. It’s no wonder that the Automobile industry compares this car to other premium sports cars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Ferrari F458, and the Aston Martin D89. And at an MSRP price tag of $375,000, the LFA is definitely living up to it’s reputation as a new breed of Lexus.

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The

LFA Series A New Breed of Lexus

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SPORTS

M

By Ernest Marbell

ichael Essien is undoubtedly one of the best footballers Ghana has ever produced. From his humble beginning in Ghana playing for local club, Liberty Professionals FC to his subsequent call to the Ghana U-17 squad for the 1999 FIFA World Championship held in New Zealand, Essien has advanced to become the highest paid Ghanaian soccer star and the 8th richest African soccer player grossing an annual pay of US $5,500,000. His accolades include playing a vital role in helping his current club side, Chelsea, to win the English Premier League in 2006 and 2010 alongside winning the covetous French Player of the Year, 2005 and BBC African Footballer of the Year, 2006.

No one second guesses Michael Essien’s professional achievements, however, when it comes to his contribution to the national team, the Black Stars, this is where his critics seem to pick on him. Since his call to the Black Stars in 2002, Essien’s high points includes catapulting the national team to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations as well as helping Ghana to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup for the first time and subsequently becoming the only African team in that tournament to go beyond the second round.

Unfortunately for Essien, his career has been hampered by major injuries he has picked up while playing for both national and club teams. The first setback occurred during an international match played against Libya on 5 September 2008 where he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Ghana in the World Cup qualification stage and was out of action for six months, thus missing the majority of the 2008–09 season. He also

Is Michael Essien Giving It All to His Motherland? missed both the 2010 African Cup of Nations and the Black Stars second appearance in the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Essien made a shocking decision to take a break from the Black Stars to concentrate on his club commitment soon after he recovered from his injury. His absence from the national team for over a year attracted several condemnations in Ghana. Some branded him as selfish and unpatriotic whilst others were quick to proclaim that the Black Stars does not need his service anymore. He also had to deny rumors going around that he has retired from the Black Stars by saying that “I am fully ready to return to the Black Stars for our next Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in June…After the two serious injuries I suffered while playing for my country, I asked permission from the Ghana FA to excuse me from Black Stars duties to allow me to fully recover”.

Essien’s decision to return to the Black Stars early this year was without drama. Opinionated Ghanaian spectators offered their versions of the meaning of Essien’s return.

Some argued that he was away for far too long focusing on consolidating his club turf.

A former Black Stars player even went on record to ask him to apologize to Ghanaians for his long absence! Essien himself was amply aware of how fans felt about his absence. He explained that “I know my break did not [go] down well with certain fans, but they have to understand my point of view.

The injuries I suffered could have ended my career. It’s funny when I heard people were arguing I was not coming to play again, I just stay(ed) at home and laugh(ed) at it.”

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Micheal Essien has not given it all to his motherland. They feel he has failed to deliver on his returned sacrifice to the national team by making his club commitment his priority.

They also feel that Ghana made him who he is and that he lost track of that fact down the road.

It is all déjà vu again. When it all seemed right for Essien to use this second chance to correct the perception and misconceptions about his commitment to the national team, he finds himself with another injury. On June 11, 2011, Chelsea revealed that Essien had ruptured his ACL and meniscus and that he would miss approximately six months of action. This has been devastating to Ghanaian soccer fans and the global soccer community at large. Goodwill wishes and message of support have been pouring in for the Ghana international star including wishes from his club teammates Didier Drogba, Mikel Obi and other sources such as Essien former girlfriend and African Movie Super Star Nadia Buari.

Dondo Magazine also wishes Essien a speedy recovery and a successful return to the field to do what he does best, holding the midfield.

In the final analysis, we maintain that Michael Essien is under no obligation to pay back Ghana. He answered the call from his motherland just as any Ghanian would have and delivered to the best of his ability. At least, he has hoisted high the flag of Ghana, now how many of us can say we have done that? Let us all support him and hope he recovers fully and continue to make Ghana football proud.

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The Essential African Lifestyle Magazine

ISSUE 11