AMBASSADOR KEITA CHEICK

POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH:

AMBASSADOR KEITA CHEICK (AKC)

Pgmag: Ambassador, you are welcome to today's interview with Lady Anita.

Akc: I am happy to have this chance and privilege to be with you for this interview - thank you and congratulations on your initiative to create this magazine I wish you great success in audience.

Pgmag: Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Akc: I am KEITA Cheick a son of Africa who studied at university in France and lives in France. I made my career in the private sector and in the public sector at the Ministry of Finance in France. Ambassador of the International Commission on Human Rights of the I.H.R.C. Senator of the WBAF World Business Angel Forum. Ambassador of WUSME The World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises. Founder of the O.P.N.D (Pan-African Digital Observatory for Development.

Pgmag: Sir, as a global leader, what are the ways to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Akc:

To act in favor of diversity and inclusion, companies need "measurable objectives". Taking action presupposes having measurable goals. While more relevant than ever, diversity has been a long-standing concern in HR departments. Its benefits in the workplace have been the subject of numerous studies.

Yet, in reality, many companies still struggle to promote it in the workplace. The good news is that there are proven and effective diversity management strategies you can use to create that diverse work environment that will strengthen your business. The main benefits of diversity in the workplace, as well as the diversity management practices that you can immediately implement the diverse work environment. Multidimensional ideas and perspectives. Above all else, a diverse team brings a broad set of unique perspectives with multiple dimensions, which is beneficial for the company in more than one way. A team capable of drawing on a wide range of personal stories, experiences and ideas will be better equipped. As a recent Wall Street Journal study suggests, which confirms that diverse and inclusive work cultures are more innovative and productive at innovating and problem solving than non-diverse teams.

Pgmag: How would you describe your leadership style?

Akc: The charismatic visionary leadership which enables the transformation of the company and which encourages the executives to think differently. A charismatic visionary leader who would raise the level in an economic context which has never been so uncertain, Like this period in which we live. The leadership which defined the objectives which aim to maintain the excellence of the teams at a high level by solving the problems and the fair treatment with a side "facilitator" at the heart of the role of the leader. It is based on shared values which make the employees more united it is also an exemplary leadership of values for team cohesion Provide support to people. Nurture a sense of the collective, Demonstrate altruism, Demonstrate fairness, demonstrate integrity.

Pgmag: As a strong advocate for African development, what are your suggestions for making the African continent a great place for foreign and local investors?

Akc: Our company O.B.A. Open Business Africa is a vessel that carries all the companies in the world wishing to invest or do business in Africa. Investing in Africa is good business and a viable business strategy and

The perfect time to invest in Africa is now because Africa is the most profitable region in the world to be even more attractive, the African continent must absolutely be dedicated to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because, each SDG offers business solutions and investment opportunities to foreign companies on the continent.

African countries must frequently revise investment codes to make them appropriate to the times and international conditions such as after the covid 19 pandemic. Africa must continue to improve global governance with the overall Africa governance index which has improved at an annual rate of 1.4% since 2007, i.e. an increase of more than 5% Governments Africans should build on this positive trend to optimize foreign investment. This means, among other things, eliminating corruption by emphasizing that the countries of the North must also do their work of fighting corruption, cat if there are corrupt there are corrupters; improve safety and security; strengthen the macroeconomic environment; investing in quality education and skills development in science, technology and innovation; and avoid the "race to the bottom syndrome", which consists of granting unnecessary tax exemptions and exemptions to foreign companies effectively fighting cybercrime with the greatest possible means. African governments and private sector actors must work together to eliminate risks and improve the investment climate on the continent. We must contribute to the development of strategies and the establishment of industrial activity poles, the promotion of special economic zones, the expansion of access to energy, the mobilization and awareness-raising in favor of the development of value chains in countries, and support for investment promotion through the International Conference on the Emergence of Africa. Investing in Africa is good business and a viable business strategy. The perfect time to invest in Africa is now because Africa is the most profitable region in the world. A report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development indicates that between 2006 and 2011, Africa recorded the highest rate of return on foreign direct investment, at 14%, compared to rates of 9, 1% in Asia, 8.9% in Latin America and the Caribbean The global rate is 7.1%. Examples of companies making very big profits in Africa. Various factors make Africa's profitability outlook brighter and make it imperative for European, North American, Asian and Latin American companies to invest in the continent and thereby contribute to its socio-economic progress. The prospects for economic growth in Africa are among the most promising in the world according to the IMF, between 2018 and 2023, Africa's growth prospects will be most interesting in the world. In the face of aging populations in most other parts of the world, Africa's young and growing population is a formidable market. The continent's population is forecast to quadruple, from 1.19 billion people in 2015 to 4.39 billion by 2100.

Pgmag: The current global pandemic has affected so many individuals and businesses. As a global influencer, what would you suggest to those struggling to make ends meet due to the impact of the pandemic?

Akc: We must tell them any tabors that we must be optimistic because human beings have always been stronger in their ability to survive to overcome the most unimaginable situations. The world has never been so unstable and difficult in peacetime as this moment that we are living. The dead by suicides and depressions have never been numerous per day than in this period of the Covid-19 health crisis, changed in economic and social crisis and to help the victims who suffer from the effects of this pandemic we absolutely must have the right ideas. Take stock of the situation and find ways to meet the needs of all those who no longer work and have no income. Implement the measures taken at the national level, and answer essential questions: Bringing food aid to some families and relocated people crammed into substandard housing. And take care of the homeless during this period, It is necessary to set up a hotline to answer questions related to the crisis, some anticipated on the website or social networks. We need to reinvent food and emergency aid, exceptional childcare for caregivers or child welfare structures, the link with isolated fragile people and local solidarity. " We must put in place an appropriate procedure to contact and follow the elderly, isolated and vulnerable, and index them on a database and use digital to create a delivery system for groceries, meals and medicines.

Pgmag: What could be done to help more women take on leadership roles?

Akc:

Women do not ask for help - they simply want our society to change and take into account their strengths, intellectual capacities and their value. This is because women are the foundations of society. she who gives life builds the future leaders of the world.

All enlightened leaders of the world must open their hearts and eyes to the reality of the changing world and we must enforce parity at all levels.

Pgmag: What is your message for world leaders?

Akc: My message is to ask them to do all to achieve the goals of sustainable development and strengthen democratic governance in all countries. Your question falls to Pic because I have just written an open letter to world leaders on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day Herewith my message circulated in newspapers and on social networks. MESSAGE TO ALL LEADERS IN THE WORLD - On the occasion of International Women's Day in my capacity as Ambassador of IHRC (International Humann Rights Commission) I wish all the women of the world a happy birthday. International Women's Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the commitments of States in favor of equality between women and men. This is an opportunity to make my proposals to all Governments of the World: All States must sign a plan on professional equality (its implementation will give rise to a progress report during a monitoring committee), and why not a label (equality between women and men). It is also an opportunity to highlight the initiatives undertaken to fight against inequalities between men and women, against stereotypes linked to gender and to promote a mix of professions. This year, given the health context, if the majority of actions will take place in a digital format. Take the opportunity to show how to reward the actions that have been carried out by a mixed team a fusion between men and women in action to advance the noble causes of society. We must launch competition initiatives every year to give everyone the opportunity to make a gesture that is both concrete and symbolic to help reduce the inequalities that afflict women and to bring it to light. Sexist acts are difficult to identify because they can take very diverse forms and sometimes difficult to qualify. We must offer internships and trainings that address sexism at work, and on the mental load in order to prevent and react will better identify situations of sexism at work and know how to react to this type of situation, that you are a witness or a victim.

Pgmag: What are some of the keys to building a successful and sustainable business?

Akc: It has never been easier to start and grow a business than in the 21st century. It is now easy for any visionary manager to catalyze excellence. For entrepreneurs and managers who are keen to create sustainable businesses, there is a difference between amassing wealth and building a fortune as there is a difference between the goal of any entrepreneur and manager to succeed in building a sustainable business that anyone can manage and develop. To do this, in my opinion, certain conditions must be met even greater between doing business and "building a successful and sustainable business." Propose values and not instructions: The vision and mission of the organization's values and founding principles, are such that anyone can decide and act as long as they make sure they are within the framework of the values. For a manager who wants to build a sustainable business, he must begin by understanding that his success depends on his ability to give people a watch they can consult to see what time it is doing what is right to do. Letting the values lead and not the men: The guiding principles of the organization guarantees that all the decisions which fall within the framework of these principles and values are good decisions, the leader therefore will no longer demand that we pay him respect but that we respect the guiding principles and fundamental values. When we have to do something in a company the question will no longer be: "Will the boss agree, but rather is it in line with our guiding principles and core values?" To make a business prosper you must have the quality of a visionary, and to create a visionary business and environment of excellence, a visionary business is the only type of business where the conditions to catalyze organizational excellence and build a sustainable business can quickly come together. Implement: It assumes that the people inside the company really want to achieve a great ideal and this great ideal is so strong that it transcends egos.

Pgmag: Please tell us more about one of your initiatives (Hope For New Africa).

Akc: Hope for new Africa is a dream that I had the night of my birthday of March 16, 2015. This dream shows how to set up a system to allow all Afro descendants to visit Africa, to know it, to understand it and if possible to return there one day and maybe live in Africa. With this project we have included the possibility of offering your DNA Free to allow descendants of Afros who participate in this program to know their origin and the tributes of descendants if they wish. In fact this initiative is based on a collaboration with the African States which have validated the HOPE FOR NEW AFRICA initiative which allows us to bring the afro descendants for a secure visit with a meeting with the president who wishes them welcome and informs them about their native land. I created the hope for new africa initiative to collaborate with organizations of Afro descendants of the world to project a return of Afro descendants to Africa. More than 10 years later, Ghana and Uganda launched this idea to ask for the return of all Afro descendants. This crisis weighs on our desire to launch our operation in February 2020. I would say to all young people that despite the catastrophic period of this pandemic, the only flame that cannot be extinguished is hope. And that success depends on self-confidence and the work force that the have been built and the unwavering desire to achieve the goal your work has set will never fail you.

Pgmag: Sir, it has been a pleasure to have you on today's interview.

Akc: It's a pleasure for me to know you and it is thanks to the digital revolution that our meeting was possible. I believe that humanity has an extraordinary tool but we must master it and control it against drifts c' is for this reason that I created an institution called OPND (Pan-African Digital Observatory for Development) to advise states on digital transformation in Africa.

Pgmag: Please share your links with us.

Akc: Attached the link of the company O.B.A. Open Business Africa which aims to promote Investments and business on the African continent and thank you for your time that you have shared with me and I suggest that you create an Africa edition of your magazine and bind you in a winning partnership with a magazine in an African country O.B.A. Will lead you in this project if you validate the principle.

Pgmag: Thank you for the proposal, we shall keep this in mind and hopefully consider it.