RockMeAfrica Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 6 by Gabriel Odame

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Editorial

let those w have ears li

After about five years of deliberations the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague has convicted Charles McArthur Ghankay Taylor, fomer President of Liberia, of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The prosecution wants a jail term of 80 years for him.

the RUF who gained worldwide notoriety for hacking off the hands and legs of civilians and committing other crimes such as rape and sexual slavery among other dastardly crimes against humanity.

The courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s verdict was reached after evidence was adduced to prove that Mr. Taylor was, at a point in time, very active in the Sierra Leonean civil war that raged on for about a decade between 1991 and 2001 after the Revolutionary United Front, (RUF) led by the late Foday Sankoh, took up arms against the government of Sierra Leone.

The UN-backed court found him guilty of aiding and abetting the Sierra Leonean rebels who committed various dastardly acts of atrocities in their diamond-rich country during the civil war there.

In fact, it was established that while international efforts were going on to end the conflict Charles Taylor was secretly urging the rebels not to disarm and to continue the attacks.

The court was convinced that Charles Taylor sold blood diamonds for the rebels as well as supplied weapons and fighters to

The judge pointed out that Taylor was well aware of the atrocities the rebels were committing against the civilian population and yet urged

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Even though the prosecution was unable to prove its charge that the ex-President was in direct command and control of rebel forces in Sierra Leone, enough evidence was established to prove that he effectively backed the rebels by the roles he played for them.

who isten them on. For that reason he was equally culpable and must therefore share criminal responsibility. The verdict represents a triumph for justice and human rights. It is an ample warning for those of Charles Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ilk who think they are above the law and are therefore, immune from prosecution, that their days are numbered and that there is no hiding place for them. There should be no doubt in anybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mind that judgment day will come sooner than later and that African leaders who are torturing their own people should realize that the day of reckoning is at hand and the moment of truth cannot be indefinitely postponed. The handwriting is clear on the wall that no one can rule with impunity and get away with it. For his atrocities against the people of Southern Sudan, Al Bashir of Sudan should start numbering his days; those in Kenya who presided over the carnage after the 2007 elections in that country should pray to delay their day in court; What about Laurent Gbagbo of La Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire who after losing the elections, refused to relinquish power and plunged his country into civil war which, thankfully, did not go the distance before he was apprehended? The list can go on and on. The truth, however, is that those leaders in Africa who have turned their countries into a live hell for their compatriots are applying for a day in a special court and they would surely be granted their request. Let those who have ears listen!

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Samuel eto’o: a true ambassador of Africa By Tony Prempeh who is paid about 5 million euros or about $7million by the LA Galaxy per season.

That Africa abounds in talent in every field of human endeavor is undeniable. From academia to sports the sons and daughters of the continent have left their mark in the sands of time and continue to do so. But for an African to be the highest paid in his chosen field was unheard of, not with all the odds against people of color. But Samuel Eto’o Fils, Cameroun’s gift to the world of football, otherwise known as soccer, has rewritten the script and changed the status quo. From an unknown teenager from Africa he has risen, by dint of hard work, to evolve into the highest paid footballer in the world. And until those behind him get new contracts and a raise in salary, Eto’o would continue to dominate the scale of earnings. Under his current contract with Anzhi Makhachkala, an ambitious Russian club from Dagestan, he earns a net salary of 20 million euros per season or $28.8 million. That is almost twice what the world’s best player, Lionnel Messi earns at Barcelona – 10.5 euros or $15.1; and it eclipses the salaries of powerful brands like Madrid’s Christiano Ronaldo – 12 million euro or $17.3, and David Beckham

In spite of his stature, the world of advertising, controlled by people other than Africans, does not think he is marketable enough to earn as much sponsorship as those he surpasses, not only in salary but also, in skill. Although he counts Puma and Ford among his sponsors, he does not earn as much as the Messis, the Ronaldos, the Beckhams and even others nowhere near his pedigree, in terms of earnings from endorsements. Eto’o does not command a physical presence that intimidates opponents, but he more than makes that up with assets such as an electrifying pace, the slyness of a fox in opposing territories and a knack for goals, yes, goals which are what the game is all about. No wonder he ranks as one of the deadliest finishers ever in the history of the sport. Ever before he became a star, Real Madrid saw something in him and signed him up in 1997 when he was only just 16. But they made a mistake when he could not deliver as a minor, and rushed to sell him to Mallorca after loaning him to Leganes, a second division side and La Liga side, Espanyol where he could not get any playing time. At Mallorca he began to peak in form and the team bought him outright from Madrid for a club record then of €4.4 million. He continued banging in the goals and caught the attention of the bigger clubs, not only in Spain but throughout Europe. Comment-

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ing on his style of play Mallorca President, Mateo Alemany said: “I doubt if there is any other player in the world who would please the fans more at this moment.” In 2004 Barcelona bought him for €24 million. His price had appreciated about five-and-a-half times in only four years, and he was just 23. Eto’o departed Mallorca as the club’s all-time leading domestic league scorer with 54 goals when he signed for Barcelona. And when he left Barcelona, he had established himself as one of the best strikers ever in the history of the sport and a legend of the club. In fact, so successful was Eto’o at Barcelona that one of his team mates, Andres Iniesta, a star in his own right and a respected member of the Spanish national team, current world and European champions, said of him: “History shows that this club has had very few strikers like him. I do not know if there has ever been anyone like him before. What I do know is that Barcelona should erect a statue for him. Samuel was a fundamental player here in recent years and was key to all of the titles that the team won.” That was in August of 2009, a month after Eto’o had moved to Inter Milan, following a swapping of places with Ibrahimovic, Inter’s leading scorer at the time. And why not? This is a player who scored 130 goals in 200 games, including 34 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2008/2009 season, a feat that was the main reason behind Barcelona’s clinching of the treble – La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the UEFA Champios Cup.

After his second season at Inter when he scored his career best of 37 goals in a season, Eto’o surprised the pundits when he left the Italian club to join Russian side FC Anzhi Makhachkala. But who would not take the offer, considering the fact that the move made him the highest paid player on the planet? Also, a look at his unbelievable record reveals that he has nothing to prove again in club football. So let the cash flow. He deserves all of it. In 2010, he became the first player to win two European Continental Trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter Milan. He is the second player to have ever scored in two separate UEFA Champions League finals and the fourth player, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, to have won the UEFA Champions League two years in a row with different teams. Over the years Eto’o has set many records and carved an enviable name for himself and Africa. He holds the record for the number of appearances by an African in the Spanish league – La Liga. He is also the most decorated African footballer, both internationally and continentally, with the enviable tag of the only player who has won Africa’s Best Player Award four times. To all those who still think of Africa as the Dark Continent; a continent out of which nothing good can come, Samuel Eto’o’s phenomenal success compels them to review their notes and accept the truth that the best can come from Africa. After all, George Oppong Weah of Liberia proved the skeptics wrong not long ago, when he rose to become the first African to become the best footballer in the world.

S a m ue l Et o’o: A tru e a mbassador of A frica The Story of an African

who has risen to the highest paid soccer player

What you shoul d k n ow a b out hy pe rt e nsio n : Hypertension is a neglect-

ed disease and a silent killer. There are things you should know

S om e Fat he rs R eally D o A Tribute to Fathers on Fathers’ Day, 2012

R ul ers Conven-

tion : A brief History of the Up-

per Room Assembly of God ministry and a special invitation to their fund-raising event

E URO 2012, S OME INTERESTI NG F A C T S : But there are certain

interesting facts about EURO 2012 that might come as a surprise to many

A fric an W om an D a res C om pe t e wit h N ik e, A didas : The trail-

blazing entrepreneur, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu decided to take the idea of using tires, organic cotton and local leather to make trendy sandals and shoes for export

S oul Traffickin g, L ife’s M y s t ery :

ISSUE COVER

June 2012 Rev. Adu Gyamfi ------------ Mentor Gabriel Odame -------------- Publisher Mr. Tony Prempeh ---------- Editor-In-Chief Weeks Mensah ---------------Public Relations Joyce O. Amoah ------------- Advertising Mgr. Ronny Boateng -------------- Public Relations Rev. C. Kafui Agbesi -------- Columnist Dr. Alex Osei-Bonsu -------- Columnist Dr. Dave Ray (Phd) --------- Columnist Mr. N Siriboe (Att.) ---------- Columnist Oghene Adu Darko --------- Photographer Kofi Ackumey ---------------- Contributing Writer

RockMeAfrica

Our primary objective is to promote African culture and heritage and offer a platform to encourage relationships; foster goodwill and promote awareness of pressing African issues in the diaspora. We aim to educate and engage our readers to actively participate in the coalition to rebuild and restore the African image globally.

Advertisement Deadline is on the 20th of each month. (718) 219-1911 or (347) 271-9211 Email: advert@rockmeafrica.com www.rockmeafrica.com Disclaimer: RockMeAfrica Magazine is published monthly by Glamour Media Services. All rights reserved. Reprodution in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. We reserve the right to accept or reject any advertisement submitted for our magazine or online channel at www.rockmeafrica.com. The magazine is not liable for any error in advertisements and any liability will not exceed the total cost of the advertisement in error.

Life is all about souls and nothing more, this is the battle of all ages. We humans are the commodities; God and Satan are the trade parties involved. become a fan on Facebook

RMA Fashion

Models sporting exclusive wear from Kunadu Designs. Keisha Afia Konadu Nyarko is the mastermind behind the designs which undoubt8

edly bear the mark of her ingenuity Using authentic African fabrics and accessories, the brand presents Afri-

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can women of all shapes and sizes with a wide range of products including but not limited to tank tops, blouses, blazers, hand bags,

Photography by: Lismens Photos

purses, clutches, pouches and gadget covers earrings, beads, bangles and other accessories. For custom designs tai-

lored to your personal style and taste, call Keisha at 917-691-2531 or the Administrative Director at 347-220-4081. You may also reach

them via their Facebook page www.facebook. com/konadudesigns or through email at konadudesigns@gmail.com

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RMA Health What you should know about hypertension medical problem in the world. It is estimated that one-third of adults have hypertension in the U.S. Many who have it are unaware that they have it. Hypertension is a neglected disease and a silent killer as well. High blood pressure is simple to diagnose and easy to treat, yet it is the second leading cause of preventable death.

Dr. Michael Adusei, M.D, Metropolitan Hospital Center/ New York Medical College Neuro-Psychiatry

The concept of blood pressure is sometimes difficult to understand because it is usually described with numbers. However, adequate pressure within arteries is important to allow blood to be pumped throughout the body to deliver oxygen and other nutrients to areas of the body. This allows for normal metabolism and organ function. High blood pressure or hypertension is often called the silent killer because in the initial stages it presents with no symptoms. It is only after an organ in the body is irritated or damaged, that the consequences of high blood pressure are realized. Hypertension is a common

Hypertension is responsible for one out of every six adult deaths. High blood pressure occurs more often in blacks. That means being an African is one risk factor for developing high blood pressure. Other risk factors for hypertension include increased age, excessive weight, and a family history of high blood pressure, having diabetes, inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle, high dietary salt and fat, low intake of potassium, stress, alcohol, and smoking. The more risk factors you have, the more likely it is that you have high blood pressure or will develop it in future. Long-term, prolonged high blood pressure puts added stress on the heart and arteries. A person with years of uncontrolled high blood pressure often has an enlarged heart and thickened walls of the arteries. Prolonged uncontrolled hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, aneurysm, blindness and other illnesses. Hypertension is commonly seen with diabetes in what is termed “metabolic syndrome.” The combination can increase risk of stroke, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, kidney failure and blindness.

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Blood pressure is most commonly measured with a blood pressure cuff placed around the upper arm. It is given as two numbers that are the measure of the weight of a tube of mercury. The units are millimeters mercury or mmHg. The higher number, or the systolic, is the pressure in the area measured when the heart beats or contracts, and the lower number, or diastolic, is the pressure when the heart relaxes after the heartbeat. Blood pressure changes throughout the day. When a person is exercising or under stress, it can go up. When someone is relaxing, it can go down. Similarly, blood pressure can vary when a person is lying in bed, sitting or standing. Most people occasionally feel a bit light-headed for a moment when they stand up. This is because of the blood pressure dropping when standing. Symptoms are relieved a few seconds later when the pressure rises to more normal levels. Averaging two or more properly measured readings at each of two or more visits, a normal blood pressure is a systolic less than 120 mmHg and a diastolic less than 80 mmHg. A category called “Pre-hypertension” is defined as a systolic of 120 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic of 80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 1 or early hypertension is defined as a systolic of 140 to 159 mmHg or a diastolic of 90 to 99 mmHg. State 2 or more severe hypertension is a systolic greater than or equal to 160 or a diastolic of greater than or equal to 100 mmHg. Malignant hypertension is defined

as a diastolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg or having evidence of acute organ damage such as swelling in the back of the eye. These patients are usually treated to get the pressure down quickly. For asymptomatic patients who have no evidence of acute damage to the eyes, brain, heart or kidney, there is no proven benefit from rapid reduction in blood pressure. It may even be harmful. Long-term effective treatment of hypertension can reduce a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk of a number of conditions. The treatment involves behavioral and diet changes as well as medications. This can take some time and patience. Treatment is done in a stepped approach. The physicians will counsel exercise and dietary changes and especially reduction of salt intake. Then, there are initial oral blood pressure medicines. For those who do not have an acceptable response, or who have side effects, there are second- and third-level treatments. Hypertension may not show any symptoms, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean high blood pressure is not doing harm to your body. The process of finding a treatment can take some months. It is imperative that a regimen be found with which the patient is comfortable. Some form of high blood pressure treatment is likely to continue for the rest of the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Drugs that are used in the treatment of high blood pressure are called antihypertensive. With the wide variety of antihypertensive available, high blood pressure can be controlled in almost anyone, but treatment has to be tailored to the individual. The blood pressure goal for antihypertensive therapy is to decrease blood pressure to below 140/90 mm Hg. For people with diabetes or a kidney disorder, the

goal is below 130/80 mm Hg. Different types of antihypertensive reduce blood pressure by different mechanisms; so many different treatment strategies are possible. For some people, doctors use a stepped approach to drug therapy: They start with one type of antihypertensive and add others as necessary. For others doctors find that a sequential approach is preferable. They prescribe one antihypertensive, and if it is ineffective, they stop that and prescribe another type. For people with blood pressure at or above 160/100 mm Hg, usually two drugs are started at the same time. In choosing an antihypertensive, doctors consider such factors as age, sex, and race, the severity of high blood pressure, the presence of other conditions, such as diabetes or high blood cholesterol levels, potential side effects, which vary from drug to drug, the costs of the drugs and of tests needed to check for certain side effects. I encourage you to work with your doctor and give the treatment time to show that it is working. Treatment is most effective when patient and doctor communicate well and collaborate on the treatment program. Men are most of the time noncompliant with taking their blood pressure medications because of sexual side effects. Fortunately, we now have antihypertensive medications with no sexual side effects at all. Just as we remember to change the engine oil of our cars every 3000 miles, we should also consider ourselves as engines which work all the time by going for our medical checkups every six months or one year. become a fan on Facebook

Some Father Rev. Alexander Adu Gyamfi (Our mentor)

Rev. Nicholas Anane-Agyei

A Tribute to

Mr. Samuel Odame (Father of our publisher

“We need fathers to realize that responsibility does not end at conception. We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child - it’s the courage to raise one. - President Barack Obama. Last month mothers the world over celebrated their day and the lavishing of gifts and outpouring of tributes was simply amazing. This month the men get their turn. June 17th is Father’s day. This is an opportunity to celebrate one of the most important people in our lives – the men we call daddies. And remember, fathers are not just biological ones; they include fathers-to-be or someone who is a father figure to you – pastors, bosses, mentors, teachers and whathave-you. A casual observation is enough to

reveal that the buzz about Fathers’ Day has never, and will never be as loud as that for mothers. It is all because of the negative imagery some men have created about fathers. All that these fathers know how to do, is give women pleasure, and of course, themselves, too. They lend credence to Pope John XXIII’s assertion that, “It is easy for a father to have children than for children to have a real father,” and Kent Nerburn’s statement that, “It is much easier to become a father than to be one.”

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The perception they have created about fathers is such that very little is said about those who are doing it right. The fact is some men really do; they do behave like the fathers that they are supposed to be; they acquit themselves as real men and not act like boys, as some critics would want the world to believe. For the men who do; for those who have been fathers, indeed, we salute them; we applaud them and we encourage them to go on with the unenviable task of fatherhood. Yes, a father’s position and job are

rs Really Do ReV. eRIc FoRson

MR. AnthonY pReMpeh

MR. kwAMe MensAh

(FAtheR oF ouR pRo)

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pAstoR geoRge AkwADA

o fathers on Fathers’ Day unenviable. As August Strindberg puts it, “That is the thankless position of the father in the family - the provider for all, and the enemy of all.” When they provide, the beneficiaries including wives and children, see that as normal, no big deal, just a fulfillment of duty. But when they discipline they are hated for ruling with an iron fist. But God’s word says of a person who bears rule, and fathers are included, that, “He is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Therefore, when fathers spank, they do so to instill discipline in a child’s life in compliance with the biblical injunction that says, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” But they are hated for that. Yet, it is mothers who urge fathers

to go for the rod by telling their errant children, “Wait till your daddy comes back from work,” and actually report the sins of the children to their fathers. But they do not get any flak from their children for their actions. Hey! Real fathers, do not worry, let the discipline go on. God supports you even if your wife and children gang up against you. You are among fathers who really do! “One father,” according to George Herbert, “is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” Some fathers keep proving that statement right. We salute such fathers for being life coaches, role models, mentors and teachers. Thank you for not just telling your children how to live but for living and letting your children watch you do so. These fathers talk the talk and walk the walk, and we appreciate them for living by example. You really do!

fathers, other men have not responded to the call of duty; they are missing in action. To such men it is not too late to change and be the fathers they are supposed to be. They should see fatherhood as a privilege; as an opportunity God has given them to imitate Him. They should first learn to be husbands. That is how they can remain at home and be there for their children who can live without many things, but not love. We are to bring our children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. But we must learn to fear God first before we can do that. The father who does not teach his children their duties is equally guilty with the children who fail to perform these duties. The rule must not be: Do what I say and not what I do. It must be: Learn of me because I am responsible and worthy of emulation. A word to the wise…

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Experience Heaven on Earth

Rev. Mark Asante Manu Senior Pastor: Upper Room Assemly of God It is possible to experience heaven here on earth before making it to heaven proper. This is the conviction of the Upper Room Assembly of God in the Bronx. The good thing about that state of bliss is that it does not cost a fortune to get it. It is a gift of God. For the doubting Thomases the church is extending an invitation to come and have a taste of it at a special program dubbed: Rulers’ Convention which is under the theme: My Year of Divine Increase.

prepared to lead the people God to the throne room.”

convention a moment of divine visitation of uncommon proportion,” the press statement added.

Throwing more light on the celestial experience in a press statement made available to this magazine, the Upper Room Assembly of God explained that heaven rules in the affairs of men and, therefore, to experience heaven on earth is to rule and exercise dominion in this world of deprivation, sin and woe.

It said the divine presence of God in past conventions, has always manifested itself through liberty from various chains of oppression such as incurable diseases, depression and other conditions, as well as ushered in revivals and awakenings. According to the statement testimonies of such divine encounters and more always abound at the convention.

The statement explained further that experiencing heaven on earth means enjoying the presence of God no matter where you may find yourself. It stated that even trials that seem unbearable cannot get rid of the assuring presence of the Lord. “The annual Rulers’ Convention has been moments of heaven on earth; a time when humanity calls and divinity answers. Better still, you may call the

Scheduled to run from June 17th to June 24th, the event will be held at the church’s auditorium located at 1074 Franklin Avenue, Bronx, New York under the direction of the host pastor, Mark Asante-Manu. The guest speaker is Rev. Yaw Owusu Ansah from Ghana, of Adom FM fame who the organizers describe as “a man seasoned and

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“Last year’s convention was a watershed for the youth especially as a mighty spiritual revolution took place in their lives. The impact still lives on,” the statement indicated. The statement urged all who are tired of being tired of problems to take a step of faith to the program and expect a miracle in their lives. Upper Room Assembly of God began a little over a decade ago with a handful of dedicated men and women of God who would meet to seek Him. The church has since experienced divine faithfulness in sustained growth both in quality and quantity.

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RMA Sports

Euro 2012: some interesting facts

Certain facts about EURO 12 are common knowledge. For example, followers of football know that sixteen countries will participate in EURO 2012, the 14th European championship for national football teams operating under the auspices of the European Football Union, UEFA for short. It is also common knowledge that the tournament is being co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine and is scheduled to take place from June 8 to July 1, 2012. Observers are also believed to be conversant with the participating teams and their groups which are as follows: Group A: Czech Republic, Greece, Poland and Russia: Group B: Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal; Group C: Croatia, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Spain: Group D: England, France, Sweden and Ukraine. Four cities each from the two host countries have been selected as venues for the 31 matches. They are Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Poznan, in Poland and Kiev, Lviv, Donetsk and Kharkiv in Ukraine. The Ukranian capital, Kiev, will host the grand finale on July 1, 2012. But there are certain interesting facts about EURO 2012 that might come as a surprise to many. A few

are enumerated below: This is the first time that Eastern Europe is hosting the tournament. That implies that neither Poland nor Ukraine, has ever hosted Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious football fiesta. Also, EURO 2012 is the last tournament to feature sixteen nations. The next competition in 2016 and subsequent ones will host 24 finalists. This tournament will also be the championship with the longest distances ever between the stadia: Up to 2000 km from Gdansk in Poland (West) to Donetsk in Ukraine (East). A special ball known as Adidas Tango 12, has been specifically designed to be easier to dribble and control than the one used in the last world Cup in South Africa, known as the Adidas Jabulani which attracted a lot of criticism over its reported unpredictable movement.

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It may also interest readers to know that with respect to applications for tickets, EURO 2012 has set an all-time record high. More than 12 million applications, representing over 17% increase on the 2008 finals, were submitted. In order to deal with the over-subscription for the matches, lotteries were used to allocate tickets. Thirty-one cameras will be used to cover the action on and around the pitch at every match, with additional cameras, including helicopter cameras, taking care of activities around the game, such as team arrivals at the stadiums, interviews, and media conferences. Finally, the Czech Republic comes into the tournament with a record of three wins from three finals shoot-outs. On their way to their unmatched exploits they took 20 penalties, converting all and missing none. The matches are as follows: 1976 final, 5-3; 1980 third-place play-off, 9-8; 1996 semi-finals, 6-5).

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Afr Comp viction that her eco-friendly brand of footwear is Africa’s answer to Nike. “We are confident that soleRebels has the potential to become Africa’s Timberland, Adidas or Nike,” she says with relish. Currently soleRebels ranks as the fastest growing African footwear brand and the world’s first fair-trade footwear company.

Bethlehem Alemu proudly displays some of her products (source: Tadias.com) In 2004 a young Ethiopian woman began a revolution that skeptics thought would be a nine day wonder. It was not the kind of bogus revolution by her country’s military in the 1970s and 1980s that brought untold hardship on Ethiopians. Hers was a footwear revolution which began with the launch of the soleRebels brand, employing used tires, organic cotton and local leather. Used tire was already a major component of a kind of traditional sandals in Ethiopia. But the trailblazing entrepreneur, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu decided to take the idea, make it trendy, mass produce the footwear in Ethiopian traditional factories and export it. As much as possible Bethlehem and her team source and make almost all their materials locally, thereby creating an export product from 100% local input. The shoes are wholly handmade and the workshop can produce daily, up to 500 pairs of sandals, or 200

The new revolution in Ethiopia is not just about the brand and its method of production. More than that Bethlehem’s revolution, guided by the motto, “Workers First” covers the whole sphere of work; it is a complete overhaul of

pairs of shoes - priced between 15 and 30 dollars - exclusively for export, with earnings projected to be around 500,000 dollars (342,000 euros) by next year. “We are proud to say that the soleRebels brand is being sold in over 30 countries around the world, including market-leading retailers in the USA, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Germany, with more being added every day,” Bethlehem declares. Eight years into her experiment, Bethlehem’s innovation has paid off big time by shifting the discourse on African development from one of poverty alleviation orchestrated by external actors, to one about prosperity creation driven by local Africans pooling resources and maximizing talent for their benefit. The incredible woman who sees the sky as the limit says with con-

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Bethlehem mentoring a gr ethiopian Girls (source: Tadia the way the longsuffering workers of Ethiopia in particular and Africa in general, are treated. Take the company’s wage policy, for example. It is a revolution in itself, a revolution in the pocket if you like. Under the policy workers are paid what the company calls

rican Woman Dares pete with Nike, Adidas By Tony Prempeh - Editor-In-Chief

“proud wages.” On average, these are four times the legal minimum wage and three times the industry average wage for similar work. And payment is not by quota but based on negotiated wages. The workers also enjoy a 100% medical coverage in addition to free medical checks. The company’s health scheme brings the doctors – board certified ones - to the workers and their families on site to run checks and provide care right at the workplace. That way all the hassle in accessing quality medical care is offset.

Roup oF Young ADIAs.coM) The package also includes free transport to and from the worksite for workers with disabilities even though the company’s worksite is within walking distance of most of the workers’ homes. As part of its social responsibility to the community where sole-

Rebels comes from and operates, the company gives back by way of incentives and benefits such as its artisan education fund which sponsors the education of the workers’ children and/or close relative’s children. The fund is accessible twice in a year. The workers decide where to allocate the money. For her marvelous work and phenomenal success Bethlehem continues to be recognized and rewarded. Only last month she was honored as the Social Entrepreneur of The Year at the 2012 World Economic Forum on Africa that took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from May 9th-11th. Bethlehem is the first Ethiopian to ever win this prestigious award. Announcing the award Klaus Schwab, Chairman & co-founder of Schwab Foundation said: “We deeply believe that economic as well as social progress can best be achieved through entrepreneurship. Bethlehem embodies the vision and values of the global social entrepreneur community, and we are proud to honor her with this special award for her exemplary work in creating a highly innovative, ethical and sustainable business that continues to make a strong social impact.”

Its board comprises an array of global luminaries including legendary music producer and icon, Quincy Jones; Nobel Prize laureate/father of micro-finance and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus; David Gergen, Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government; acclaimed best-selling author Paulo Coelho; Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Duchess of Brabant. Last year Bethlehem was selected by the World Economic Forum as The Young Global Leader of 2011. She shared the spotlight with no less icons of industry than Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerburg and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. In March she was one of the panelists that discussed the topic: The Next Generation: Leadership in Africa during The Third Harvard African Development Conference. The Conference sought to tap the expertise of the panelists in seeking solutions to challenges likely to daunt the future of African youth. RockMeAfrica was privileged to have had an upclose encounter with her at the event.

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is the originator of the World Economic Forum. It is the foremost platform dedicated to promoting social entrepreneurship as a key element to advance societies and address social problems.

Law &

Order

Keeping Apartm within the Family.

D.k. nkAnsAh-sIRIboe, esQ.

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ments Part (2)

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SOUL TRAFFICKING: Life’s Mystery Therefore, to whomsoever you yield your soul his slave you would become.

Rev. Cephas Kafui Agbesi Honey Well Baptist Church One day Jesus was confronted by His earthly parents concerning his whereabouts; His response was rather intriguing: “And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father’s business?” The business Jesus was talking about is the security of a person’s soul. This business is within the realms of the supernatural where currency is not respected. Even houses, gold, diamonds and all the gems you can think of are insignificant. But there is another party interested in this business, that is Satan. That means that there is a battle between God and Satan to have the upper hand in the business. Both parties place a very high premium on the souls of men and they will sacrifice whatever Heaven and Earth can supply in other to purchase one soul among humanity. This is the mystery of life. Life is all about souls and nothing more, this is the battle of all ages. We humans are the commodities; God and Satan are the trade parties involved. Just as crude oil is the cause of the war in the Middle East, so we humans are the cause of the war between Heaven and Earth, God and Satan. Every success story on Earth has the backing of either God or Satan.

In the Bible there is a classic example of the fight for our souls depicted by an encounter between God and Satan. The background story is about a man called Job, dubbed the richest man in the entire East. He owned a majority of the transportation systems and cattle in all of the land. Commenting on Job’s prosperity Satan made a delcaration that reveals that life’s success depends on whom you yield your soul to. He told God, “Does Job serve you for nothing?” What Satan meant was that Job was prospering becuase his soul was connect with God. From that instance, the LORD and Satan began a spiritual transaction over the soul of Job. We all have a choice to make. So many influential men and women throughout the ages realized too late that they made the wrong choice. Instead of toeing the line of God, they followed Satan, even though for some of them their decision was made unwittingly. Some of these people might have dabbled into some occultic beliefs out of a desire to learn more about life. After their initiation into the occult they suddenly found themselves enjoying unprecedented success in whatever enterprise they undertook. This gave them world-wide fame and prosperity. But they soon found out that they had sold their souls to Satan. One may ask how I can know this

|Visit us at www.rockmeafrica.com | Volume 1 Issue 6, June 2012

for sure. Their last words while in transition to the other world, made it clear that they had regretted their choice but it was too late. The truth is that, no significant success on Earth, has ever been attained without the spiritual backing of a supernatural force. To doubt this revelation is to deny yourself the secret of success in life. Some years ago I was called to pray for a man who was extremely ill and battling for his life. He was a religious man who believed that his soul was connected to something greater than his physical being. Through the prayer the man was instantly and miraculously healed. He said, “I believe in healing, and I believe your Jesus can heal, but I cannot follow him, because my religion has blessed me with money.” God offered His Son as the ultimate price to purchase your soul. Satan, on the other hand, continues to bait people with all sorts of promises, including riches to follow him. I implore you to value your soul beyond rubies, secure it above anything Heaven and Earth can afford to pay. Do not yield or exchange your soul for things that perish, and for materialistic things with earthly values and ostentation that soon fade away. “For what profit has a man or woman if he or she should gain the whole world and lose his or her soul?” Whom have you given your soul to, and at what cost? Your eternity depends on your response to this simple question.

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|Visit us at www.rockmeafrica.com | Volume 1 Issue 6, June 2012

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|Visit us at www.rockmeafrica.com | Volume 1 Issue 6, June 2012