TheAfroNews No. 3. 31st January 2012

0784 606 2331 sales@myownmedia.co.uk

FREE PRESS

No. 3. 31st January 2012 I Tel. 020 7300 7320; 020 7300 7321; 07846062331 I Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

Don Miller: “Always smile, stay fresh & clean�

Break culture of silence on violence against women

page 6

Justice 4 Jay Abatan campaign holds vigil, renews call for justice

THE GUIDE Applying for settlement as a spouse or partner Form SET(M) and supporting documents

page 3

Betty Makoni’s new book “A Woman, Once a Girl Breaking Silence “transforms victims into leaders

Akua Boahemaa Boate, TV star out to give voice to the voiceless

pages 10 - 11

page 13

Jamaica Party 2012 celebrates influence of Jamaican music on UK

page 17

End child detention now, Refugee Council tells govt Get your latest immigration news on

page 2

page 9

Send money around the world and across the UK.

Your news, your guides, your concerns, your beauty, your recipes, your people.

This one is all about you !

www.foreignersinuk.co.uk

$JHQW ORFDWLRQ

ZHVWHUQXQLRQ FR XN

The WESTERN UNION name, logo and related trademarks and service marks, owned by Western Union Holdings, Inc., are registered and/or used in the U.S. and many foreign countries and are used with permission.

2

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

WHERE ACTION IS

Kobo Town brings Calypso to Manchester Kobo Town - a contemporary Calypso band from Trinidad via Canada – will thrill fans at a special concert in Manchester on 12th February 2012.

The band has taken the Canadian and US festival circuits by storm.

Kobo Town’s first album “Independence” was nominated for several music awards.

Founded by Trinidadian-Canadian songwriter Drew Gonsalves, Kobo Town is named after the historic neighbourhood in Port-of-Spain where Calypso was born.

The band explores the rich lyrical tradition and compelling rhythms of Calypso’s formative years (The Roaring Lion, Lord Invader, Attila the Hun) to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of their art with our time.

Domestic violence, the war on Iraq, the paradoxes of globalization, the ongoing state of Caribbean dependency, and the bittersweet experience of immigration are all treated within their wide and varied repertory.

Since Kobo Town’s formation in 2004, the band has performed at festivals and

Fatoumata Diawara and Stranded Horse at Jazz Café found time to collaborate on Damon Albarn’s Africa Express.

Stranded Horse is N o r m a n d y ’s Yann Tambour.

His second a l b u m , “Humbling Tides”, features compositions on the guitar and Fatoumata Diawara the African kora, melting disparate Fatoumata Diawara musical modes and cultures with and Stranded Horse will shades of the mandinka tradijoin for a rare concert at tion, medieval folksong, FaheyJazz Café in London on esque fingerpicking and French chanson.

6th February 2012.

Fatoumata Diawara ran FATOUMATA DIAWARA + away from Mali to join French theatre company STRANDED HORSE Royale de Luxe, before making the decision to The Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, dedicate herself to her pas- Camden Town, London NW1 7PG 6th February 2012 sion, music.

An introduction from Doors 19:00 Oumou Sangaré resulted in Tickets £10 adv (no booking fee) a record deal with World Tickets can be purchased from Circuit, and she’s also hmvtickets or TicketWeb

venues throughout Canada and the US, and has performed live on national and regional TV and radio programmes in both Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.

Kobo Town is currently recording their second album with Belizean producer Ivan Duran. The album is due for release in early 2012 to coincide with the group’s first UK tour.

This Kobo Town national tour is a part of the Black Routes touring network and is supported by Arts Council England.

KOBO TOWN IN MANCHESTER 12th February 2012 From 20:00 to 23:00 The Ruby Lounge 28-34 High Street Northern Quarter Manchester M4 1QB Ticket Price £15 Advance Ticket Price £13 Ticketline: 0161 832 1111

Jamaica Party 2012 celebrates influence of Jamaican music on UK

DJ Mala It’s time to celebrate 50 years of Jamaican independence – and the unstoppable influence of Jamaican music in the UK.

The best way of doing so is by joining Jamaica Party 2012, a six date UK tour of Jamaica inspired artists. In the 1950′s, Jamaicans brought the sound of the Island

direct to British dance floors.

Under the influence of Mento, Ska and Reggae, UK producers, DJs and musicians changed the sound of British music forever.

Jungle, Dubstep, Garage, Grime and Hip-Hop are all rooted in Reggae.

The Channel One Soundsystem spread pure and undiluted Roots across the globe for over 30 years.

Top Cat, a key player in the early days of Jungle, started his career on the Coxsone Soundsystem as a toaster.

The Heatwave Crew embody what this tour is about - a UK Bashment Soundsystem dropping Jungle, Grime, Roots, Hip-Hop and Dancehall in their tear-out sets.

The toasting/MC tradition is

represented by RoxXxan, Lady Leshur, and Rtkal - the movers and shakers of the mic scene today and tomorrow.

Headlining the six tour dates will be Mala, Coki, The Bug and FlowDan. Having dominated the scene with gritty and intense productions, they will need no introduction.

Jamaica Party is bringing all these scene stalwarts together for a six date tour of the UK.

JAMAICA PARTY 2012 DATES 3rd February – World HQ, Newcastle (Deviate) 4th February – Stylus, Leeds (Vagabondz) 6th February – The Ritz, Manchester (Hit and Run) 10th February – Stealth, Nottingham (Basslaced) 17th February – Life, Brighton 24th February – Cable, London (Vagabondz/ Subdub)

AFRONEWS | My Own Media Ltd. The Old Fire Station, 140 Tabernacle Street, London, EC2A 4SD, United Kingdom | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Stephen Ogongo Ongong'a | TEL: +44 (0)20 7300 7320 or +39 06 94354517 |Fax: 0207 253 23 06 | Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk | ADVERTISING: TEL: 020 7300 7320; 07846062331 | Email: sales@myownmedia. co.uk | DISTRIBUTION: Tojake Uk-Wade | Email: info@myownmedia.co.uk | PRINTING PRESS: Newsfax Ltd, London. | Advertiser and advertising agency assume liability for all content (including text representation, illustrations, and photographs) of advertisements printed or posted, and also assume responsibility for any claims arising there from made against the publisher | Supplement of Africa News, Registered at the Tribunal of Rome. Registration No. 22/2003 - 21-01-2003

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

COMMUNITY

3

Justice 4 Jay Abatan campaign holds vigil, renews call for justice The Justice 4 Jay Abatan campaign held a vigil on Sunday 29th January 2012 in memory of Jay Abatan. The vigil took place outside Brighton Police Station.

Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) UK is supporting the Justice 4 Jay Campaign in their struggle for truth regarding Jay’s murder.

Jay, a 42 year old black man was murdered in a racist attack by a gang in Brighton in January 1999, at the end of a night out to celebrate his recent promotion.

Jay was accompanied by a friend and his brother Michael Abatan, who were also

“Why was my brother’s original homicide investigation the only one in Sussex that year that was underfunded and so destined to fail. Was it his race or some other reason?”

Michael Abatan, Brother of Jay Abatan

attacked. Five days later, Jay died in hospital, having sustained severe head injuries.

No one has yet been tried for Jay’s murder. Jay’s family continue to campaign for those who killed him to be brought to justice.

“People will ask why I am still here asking for justice for my brother after 13 years,” Michael said in a statement. “It is not just for myself and his family but the people of Sussex deserve a police force who are competent and transparent.”

He said that many questions remained unanswered regarding the police re-investigation into his brother’s death.

Michael wondered why his brother’s original homicide investigation was the only one in Sussex that year that was underfunded and so destined to fail. “Was it his race or some other reason? he asked.

Michael claimed that Sussex police continued to have links with the men who murdered his brother, drinking with them, and “giving character references for them, even trying to interfere with the second investigation.”

He said that in 2010, he had to watch a senior police officer called to give evidence at the inquest sit with one of the suspects chatting friendly.

Michael said that the inquest that took place in October 2010 showed him that the police had not gathered new evidence. “The inquest was something police officers didn’t want to happen and now despite clear findings by the coroner the police still refuse to look at the evidence and investigate those people it implicates regardless of whether they know them,” Michael said.

The fact that Stephen Lawrence’s family went through an uphill struggle and succeeded to get justice after 18 years has made Michael believe that they can also succeed in their struggle.

He urged the police to pursue all avenues of enquiry without fear or favour.

Jay Abatan was murdered in a racist attack by a gang in Brighton in January 1999

International mobile calls from 6p a minute And unlimited UK calls and texts to anyone on ø when you top up £15 a month

Visit your local corner store, any ø shop or o2.co.uk/internationalsim

International Sim

Ghana mobile calls

Nigeria mobile calls

Sierra Leone mobile calls

Gambia mobile calls

18p

6p

33p

36p

10p texts to all countries

Exclusions apply. International rates are for calls made from the UK. Excessive usage policy and terms apply. Minimum top up £15 for unlimited UK O2-O2 calls and texts. Prices above are promotional and valid until 28th February 2012, see o2.co.uk/internationalsim for details and latest call rates.

4

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

COMMUNITY

Serial rapist jailed indefinitely A man has been sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment for a string of rape offences committed in east London and Essex.

Sunny Islam, 23, of Salisbury Avenue, Barking, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on 11th August 2011 where he was found guilty of seven counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration and one count of kidnapping.

He was sentenced on 25th January 2012 and will not be considered for parole until he has served 11 years. Islam was also sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the assault by penetration and an additional eight years for the offence of kidnap.

All of the terms are to run concurrently.

The charges relate to four female victims, aged between 15 and 30 years at the time of the offences, and are said to have happened between May and September 2010.

Officers were first alerted to a series of assaults following the kidnap and rape of a 15-year-old girl in the Barking area on 18th September 2010.

The teenager had been walking along Gerald Road, E16 with her friend at around 03:25hrs when Islam grabbed her at knifepoint and drove her to a secluded road in Barking. He threatened her before raping her in his Renault Clio. She eventually managed to break free and immediately alerted police. DNA was taken from the victim that led police to identify a further victim from east London. She had been working as a sex worker in east London and had been picked up by Islam on a date between 1st September 2010 and 31st

the surrounding area.

The court heard how the third victim, had been walking alone along Eleanor Road, Forest Gate on 14th July 2010.

Islam got out of his car and grabbed the victim pulling her back into the vehicle.

He raped the victim but she continued to struggle and managed to smash through a window of the car and escape.

The fourth victim, a sex worker from east London, had been approached by Islam on 8th July 2010. She agreed to get into his car and be driven to a location nearby. He quickly turned violent and forced her into the back of the vehicle, bound her hands together with plastic quick-cuffs and raped her. She was forced from his vehicle and went straight to police to report the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Sunny Islam carried out a string of rape John Sandlin, of the Homicide offences in east London and Essex and Serious Crime Command, (HSCC) who investigated the October 2010. Once inside his vehicle offences, said: “These were a Islam repeatedly punched the victim before series of terrifying assaults carried out by a raping her. Although she didn’t initially man who actively preyed on vulnerable report the offence to police she did actively women. He would deliberately patrol the assist the investigation once contacted by streets of east London and Essex under the officers from the Met’s Homicide and cover of darkness to approach known sex Serious Crime Command (HSCC). workers or threaten lone females walking Believing that Islam may have previ- home. Once inside his vehicle he would ously offended, officers searched for simi- use violence to control his victims and we lar incidents already being investigated in believe that had he continued to offend he

would have taken the violent outbursts to a more sinister level.”

Detective Sandlin thanked all the victims involved in this case. “They came forward to give evidence, showing a huge amount of courage throughout this investigation, and we only hope that this result brings them some small comfort,” he said.

“Despite this result we believe there may be more victims who, for whatever reason, are yet to come forward and speak to police. Should any further information come to light it will be dealt with robustly.

Please contact your local police where a specially trained officer will be assigned to you.”

“These were a series of terrifying assaults carried out by a man who actively preyed on vulnerable women. He would deliberately patrol the streets of east London and Essex under the cover of darkness to approach known sex workers or threaten lone females walking home” Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, Homicide and Serious Crime Command

Record number of people join MyHIV online support system Almost 3,000 people with HIV in the UK are part of MyHIV, a groundbreaking online support system. This makes it the largest community of people with HIV in the UK, with people helping each other to manage their health and wellbeing.

To celebrate the success of these services and encourage even more people to join up, Terrence Higgins Trust is holding a monthly prize draw for members, with an iPad as the opening draw’s prize.

MyHIV is part of Life Plus, a suite of confidential integrated online, face-to-face and telephone support services for African men and women living with HIV and supports individuals’ every day, non-clinical needs.

Created by HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and people living with HIV, MyHIV is an interactive online service, www.myhiv.org.uk, where African people can register to access one-on-one or

group peer support, through online community forums, videos and stories, tailored health monitoring tools and information including how to access treatment, online counselling and advice and one to one health trainer sessions. It also includes

links to personal recommendations for GPs and Dentists with good HIV knowledge across the UK. “MyHIV covers wide-ranging aspects of health and wellbeing to suit different groups of people,” Christabel Kunda, Terrence Higgins Trust’s Groupwork

Officer for African Communities, said.

“Most African people living with HIV, or newly diagnosed, fear been judged or stigmatised. MyHIV supports them with lots of information and support on how to manage their health and live better with HIV.” MyHIV is a forum open to African men and women, to discuss any relevant issues.

“You can also access information on our African groupwork.

Attending one of the groups is a safe place where African people can meet others in similar situations, share experiences and get emotional and practical support.

MyHIV will help, and continue to help, African men and women improve their lives and fully integrate them into their local communities,” Ms. Kunda said.

Hosanna Bankhead, a health trainer for the programme said that MyHIV is proving to be an invaluable tool for African men and women living with HIV. Those

who have joined have greatly benefited from it, she said.

Ms. Bankhead quoted one member who said: “I wrote my own story and the response I got was amazing. Now I do not feel alone anymore.”

For more information and to join MyHIV, please visit www.myhiv.org.uk.

Get latest news

about and from the Black Community in the UK on

http://www.theafronews.eu/black-community/blog

Nigeria

Kenya

Uganda READIT T X EEE CR6.00 0

FR£5.00 = ££12.000 = 25. 0 .00 £10 0 = £ 7.5 3 p .0 £20 0 = £ top-u .0 ine £30 onl

F InteREE rne t up t o

10 M Bp er d ay

#

with

Join Lycamobile & keep your number For F or your your F FREE REE L Lycamobile ycamobile S SIM IM v visit isit w www.lycamobile.co.uk ww.lycamobile.co.uk or call 020 7132 0322 Buy and top up online or in over 115,000 stores

Customers may not be able to use Electronic Top-Up at all locations where the top-up logo appears

1p/min promotion is valid from 02.11.2011 and valid until 31.01.2012. Visit www.lycamobile.co.uk for full terms and conditions and participating countries. Prices are correct at the time of going to print 03.01.2012. #Free mobile web offer is valid until 31.01.2012 with a download limit of 10Mb per day per customer. The customer must top-up once to activate the Free mobile web promotion. Free call credit with online Top-up offer valid from 10.09.2011 to 31.01.2012. Any increases to rates during the offer period will be notified on the rates section of our website, at www.lycamobile.co.uk or call our customer services team on 020 7132 0322 for current rates.

6

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

COMMUNITY

“Always smile, stay fresh and clean” Exclusive interview with Don Miller, model and musician There is something so unique about Don Miller. When I walked into the set of one of his music videos, I thought he was one of the models. Little did I know he was the star of the music video as the musician. With such distinct looks it’s no wander he was first scouted as a model by UK’s top High Street fashion label TopMan (Topshop).

The London-based Ugandan born musician and model and his family left

“Out Tonight” released on Island Def Jam Digital Distribution and available on iTunes and Amazon has so far sold over 6,000 copies. His second single titled “Through the Rain” is due to hit stores in mid February 2012.

I caught up with him for a one to one chat to find out how it all started and where he is currently heading with his double talent as a musician and a top model.

Don, is it true to say that most people know you as a model and not as a musician?

Yes, that is true.

How did you get into the modelling industry and your journey to stardom as a model?

Well, prior to starting modelling in January 2011, I had

high street label TopMan marketing team for a freelance fit modelling job.

When I got there for casting, the team told me that I should be doing modelling full-time so I gave it a go and never looked back since.

When and how did you start with the music career?

I actually started writing music in 2004, I’ve always been around people who were and are into music. A few are in the UK Charts, having number ones. I didn’t start recording till 2006/7.

“I would tell someone who wants to start music to go for it with everything and don’t expect every door that you knock to open at the first instance. But if you want it so badly then just keep pushing and knocking on the same door” Don Miller, Model and musician

Uganda due to the civil war in the Northern part of the country, relocating to the UK and eventually settling in Greenwich London, where he attended the John Roan School.

Don completed his A-levels before going to University of East London and eventually graduating with a biochemistry degree. His love and passion for music started at the age of seven. While he was studying, he used some of his time to work on music with influences from LL Cool J, Eminem, Jay Z, 50cent and Dr Dre. Upon completing his studies, Don began to write and record tracks in his home and friends’ studios. He is currently a freelance model and none exclusive agency represented. He’s worked on many covers and just finished a very interesting EP album with his East African styled vocals mixed with urban beats.

Don’s debut solo single titled

been asked at young age by two model scouts to get into fashion.

However, my parents considered anything beside studies as a failure so I first concentrated on my studies and graduated in 2008.

One day I was helping a friend decorate his photo studio when a photographer told me to send my photo to UK’s major

If you had just one day to choose between music and modelling, which one would it be and why?

Wow! This is a tough one. I think I would choose modelling.

This is because I get to meet a lot of creatively mad professionals i.e. from stylists, Make Up Artists, photographers to studio owners like you and I really enjoy catwalks, fittings and trying out crazy concepts.

You certainly have an awesome voice, what genre are you?

I would consider my music as Hip-hop/Rap and R&B.

Do you write and produce your own music?

Yes I do write my own music but work with music engineers and producers.

Who are your biggest inspiration in music, modelling and in life?

My music inspirations are Big L, Jay Z, Marvin Gaye, 50cent.

My modelling inspirations are Grace Jones and Alek Wek, a lot of photographers refer me as their male versions.

Any new material or concert planned for 2012?

Yes.. Yes! I will have lots of materials by mid February as I have a big meeting with a top international record label representative you introduced me to at the UK Music Video Awards.

They would like to review my EP so fingers crossed.

Most musicians are performing artists who branch out into acting? Are you one of them?

Acting is definitely an area I’m very interested in, so I would consider it if and when the opportunity arises.

Music industry anywhere in the world whether in Europe, USA, Asia or Africa is full of challenges. What opportunities have you come across so far and what challenges have you gone through that you might like to share with someone who wants to take the same path?

It is a difficult but very enjoyable challenge, I have been asked to perform at a few night clubs and a lot of private parties mainly for businesses around Canary Wharf. I have also performed in front of an audience of 800 people for John Lewis. I would tell someone who wants to start music to go for it with everything and don’t expect every door that you knock to open at the first instance. But if you want it so badly then just keep pushing and knocking on the same door.

You are very stylish, are you a trendsetter or a trend follower?

I am both really, I set trends but also follow it with a twist.

Share with our male readers your grooming tip please.....

OK! Mine is simple - try to always smile, stay fresh and clean.

By Pauline Long Pauline Long’s Celebrity Corner THE AFRONEWS To be featured here, please drop an email to: plcelebritycorner@live.co.uk or afronews@myownmedia.co.uk.

Tel: +44(0)7704193590

DON MILLER’S LINKS AND CONTACTS www.donmiller.co.uk www.youtube.com/donmilleruk www.twitter.com/donmilleruk www.soundcloud.com/don-miller www.myspace.com/don-miller www.facebook.com/donmilleruk Email: Info@donmiller.co.uk Tel: 07950808507

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

CURRENT AFFAIRS

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

7

Student visa controls killing private HE colleges - Report ‘Misplaced’clampdown on overseas students is devastating private higher education colleges, CentreForum has warned.

The report titled “Tier 4 tears: how government student visa controls are destroying the private HE sector” by Centre Forum shows that government’s aim to increase the number of private colleges, risks being overcome by an over-enthusiastic Home Office attack on immigration.

The think tank has called for the reversal of student visa controls which prohibit international students enrolled on HE courses at private colleges from working part time to support their studies.

Since these controls were introduced in 2011, enrolment numbers are estimated to have dropped by around 70 percent.

One private institution, Cavendish College London, has already closed, while others face being taken over by public universities.

CentreForum had previously warned government about the adverse impact of the Tier 4 student visa reforms.

The impact of the new rule has been “swift and probably even more devastating than was predicted,” CentreForum said.

Chris Nicholson, CentreForum’s chief executive who wrote the report, said: “The student visa controls make a mockery of the government’s aim to promote greater diversity in higher education. The private sector is being critically undermined.”

Dr. John Sanders, who was principal of Cavendish College until its closure, commented:

“After 26 years in the business of education, offering a wide range of diploma and degree programmes to a diverse range of international students, I find it incredible that the UKBA considers the likes of Cavendish College to be a threat to immigration control.”

Dr. Sanders said the new rule had led to “an enormous disparity in the treatment of international students in the private sector compared with those in public colleges and universities.”

“The government clearly does not care how it reaches its net migration target,” he added.

Apart from asking the government to give Tier 4 visa applicants on HE courses at private colleges the same working rights as those studying at public universities, the report said international students should be treated as temporary visitors rather than permanent migrants. They should be excluded from the government’s net migration figures, the report said.

Driving theory test eliminates pre-published questions The driving theory test no longer uses pre-published questions. The move is meant to stop candidates from learning answers by rote, Driving Standards Agency said.

Until now all the questions used in the driving theory test have been published.

Driving Standards Agency said the changes mean that learner drivers and riders will gain a better understanding of driving theory, because they can no longer rely on simply learning which options are correct for individual questions.

“By bringing a stop to publication of theory test questions we aim to encourage candidates to prepare by learning each topic area thoroughly rather than just memorising the questions and answers,” Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said. “The intention is to improve candidates’

knowledge and understanding of driving theory, so that they are more able to retain and apply it when they are on the road.”

The familiar Theory Test books and software still offer revision questions for candidates to test themselves and assess their progress. They now also have exercises so learners can practice applying their knowledge on each topic to case studies. There are also new sections of revision support for motorcyclists and a free e-book for car drivers.

The agency has also launched its first iPhone apps for theory test revision, which also help candidates to study and monitor their progress at their convenience as they approach their test date.

These are available from the iTunes Store.

DSA books, electronic books and software are available to order or download from TSO at www.tsoshop.co.uk/dsa and all good bookshops.

8

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

CURRENT AFFAIRS

TUC criticises “chequebook justice” Plans to charge people for using employment tribunals could have a huge impact on ensuring equality at work, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has said.

©TUC

Before Christmas the government published its plans for charging users of employment tribunals.

Under the proposals an individual will have to pay a minimum of £600 and possibly as much as £1,750 to have a discrimination claim heard at a tribunal.

Workers with a gross annual income of as little as £13,000 a year (the minimum wage for a full-time job) or couples with a joint income above £18,000 a year could have to pay towards these fees - likely to be amongst the highest fees charged under the proposed system - to pursue discrimination cases.

The TUC warned that if the plans come into law, it will be even harder in the future to get proper enforcement and compliance with the law as employers will know that they face little realistic prospect of being held to account.

Speaking at the TUC’s annual discrimination law conference at

“While the government pays lip service to equality, some of its actions threaten to make Britain less equal, less fair and much less just. That’s why our priorities over the coming year must be to defend legal rights and access to justice, and why we must resist draconian government plans to charge people for using employment tribunals”

Congress House in London on 27th January 2012, Mr. Barber said: “The fight against discrimination is far from won. The coalition’s cuts are having a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including women, ethnic minorities and disabled people.”

Mr. Barber accused the government of pursuing a deregulatory agenda, dismissing vital rights as red tape and so-called

Mr. Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary

burdens on business.

“While the government pays lip service to equality, some of its actions threaten to make Britain less equal, less fair and much less just,” Mr. Barber said. “That’s why our priorities over the coming year must be to defend legal rights and access to justice, and why we must resist draconian government plans to charge people for using employment tribunals.”

He strongly criticized the government’s plans for charging users of employment tribunals. “This is chequebook justice pure and simple and is a profoundly regressive step. As so few discrimination claims succeed at tribunal anyway, many potential claimants, particularly those who lack the support of a union, would be put off from making a claim - giving a green light to unscrupulous employers to discriminate at will.

That’s something that ought to concern everyone who cares about

justice, fairness and equality,” Mr. Barber said.

He appealed to all trade unionists, representatives of voluntary sector organisations, or legal professionals, to work together to address all of these challenges in the year ahead.

“The TUC will continue to do what we have always done, fighting discrimination, campaigning for fairness, and striving for equality at work and in society,” Mr. Barber said.

Ensure employers can UKBA: Postal biometric appointments only made online access best experts, government advised The UK needs and should have access to the best talent from abroad, the REC has said.

Addressing a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, Gillian Econopouly, the REC’s Head of Policy, said: “To achieve economic growth, UK employers need access to world-class talent from both the resident and international labour market.

Whilst every effort must be made to ensure UK workers have the skills we need both now and in the future, current immigration policy must be carefully balanced to ensure businesses and universities can access the experts they need.”

The latest meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Migration focused on the role

that immigration policy will play in economic growth this year.

Speakers included Conservative MP Alok Sharma, Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt, Shadow Immigration Minister Chris Bryant MP, and experts from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and OECD. “The All Party Group is an important forum for debating these critical issues with decision-makers, client groups and professional bodies,” Ms. Econopouly said. “Access to the best and brightest remains a critical concern, particularly for REC members operating in burgeoning, globally competitive sectors such as Technology, Financial Services and Life Sciences.”

The UK Border Agency has replaced the phone line for postal applicants in the UK who want to book appointments to enrol their biometric information.

From 1st February 2012, postal applicants will need to book these appointments online.

Before you can book an

appointment online, you must register by creating a customer account on our ‘Apply online’ service. You will need a valid email address. You will then be sent password details, which will allow you to access your account and book your appointment.

For more information, see UK Border Agency’s Booking an appointment (postal applications) page at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/enrolbiometric/book-appointment/.

Also from 1st February 2012, an email service will replace the

UK Border Agency’s biometric residence permit helplines (0300 123 2412 and 0300 123 4699).

You will need to email: BRPDelivery@homeoffice.gsi. gov.uk if there is an issue with the delivery of your biometric residence permit; BRPError@ homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk if there is an error on your biometric residence permit; BRPLost@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk to report the loss or theft of a biometric residence permit; and employerBRPverification@ukba.gsi.gov.uk if you are an employer or sponsor and you want to confirm that a biometric residence permit is valid.

If you do not have email access, you will be able to send your enquiries by Freepost to: Freepost RRYX-GLYU-GXHZ Returns Unit PO Box 163 Bristol BS20 1AB.

Get your latest immigration news on Your news, your guides, your concerns, your beauty, your recipes, your people. This one is all about you! www.foreignersinuk.co.uk

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

CURRENT AFFAIRS

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

9

End child detention now, Refugee Council tells govt “Although the numbers of children detained have dropped since the new family returns process was introduced last year, this is ten children too many.”

Ms. Covey said they have consistently Latest figures from the Home Office asked the government to keep their promise show that showed 17 children were held in detention in December 2011, and ten of of ending child detention. “Despite UKBA’s those were held in the new family detention efforts to improve conditions, we are extremely disappointed that children are unit at Cedars.

Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the still being held,” Ms. Covey said. “A huge Refugee Council said they were concerned body of evidence shows this is harmful for to hear that ten children were held in the the welfare of children, and there is no family detention unit at Cedars in December. practical reason for children to be detained as part of the asylum process.

“It will be “We have consistently asked the governtwo years in ment to live up to their promise to end child May since the government detention, and despite UKBA’s efforts to pledged to stop improve conditions, we are extremely disap- detaining chilpointed that children are still being held. A dren, but when they actualhuge body of evidence shows this is harm- will ly fulfil this ful for the welfare of children, and there is once and for all?” no practical reason for children to be On 16th detained as part of the asylum process” December 2010, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Donna Covey, C l e g g Chief Executive of the Refugee Council announced the end of child

Refugee Council has expressed concern at continued detention of children for immigration purposed.

detention for immigration purposes.

He said the practice will end completely by May 2011, and confirmed that the family wing of Yarl’s Wood immigration centre in Bedfordshire was to close immediately.

“Today the Coalition Government is making an important announcement. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced the end of child detention for immigration We are setting out, for the first purposes on 16th December 2010 time, how we are ending the children in a period of five years. “Children detention of children for immigration pur- literally taken from their homes, without poses in the UK,” Mr. Clegg said. warning, and placed behind bars. Locked He said they were ending what he up, sometimes for weeks, sometimes for described as “the shameful practice” that in months, in one case for 190 days; somethe previous year alone, “saw over 1,000 thing no innocent child should ever have to children – 1,000 innocent children – impris- endure,” Mr. Clegg said. “That practice, the oned.” practice we inherited, ends here.”

Mr. Clegg criticized the Labour That was on 16th December 2010, but Government for having detained 7,000 the practice has not ended.

Vicar jailed for staging 20 sham marriages

A Church of England vicar who staged more than 20 sham marriages in Greater Manchester has been jailed for two and a half years.

Rev. Patrick John Magumba, a 58-yearold Ugandan national, who presided over three churches within the Greater Manchester Diocese, pleaded guilty to immigration offences in December 2011 following UK Border Agency’s investigation into sham marriages.

Suspicions were raised about Rev. Magumba when officers investigating a sham marriage interviewed him in connection with one of his marriages.

Ignoring church guidance he conducted 28 sham marriages at two of his churches in

uncover marriages that are not genuine, St. Peter’s, Rochdale and St. Luke’s, no matter who they are.”

Deeplish. These marriages took He added that the UK Border Agency they will challenge them and ensure those place in the period between April works closely with the church to identify responsible are brought to justice. “Our sham marriages. “Last April we issued spe- main aim is to identify the organisers who 2008 and February 2011.

Rev. Magumba was found to cial guidance to help the clergy identify profit from and fuel the demand for sham have misled the Church Parish those who seek to abuse the institution of marriages. In this case the key organiser was a church minister who was prepared to Council, ignored the Marriage Act marriage,” he said.

Dave Magrath, head of the UK Border abuse his position — and the trust placed in requirements on publishing Banns of marriage, removed registers and cer- Agency criminal and financial immigration him by the Church and his community,” 021211_150.8x69_TTX_Afro_0037_en.ai 1 02/12/2011 11:21:52 tificate books from the church, failed team in the North West warned that if they Mr. Magrath said. to account for payments for weddings and stolen from the T-TALK church.

International Calls from your mobile Immigration Minister Damian Green said Rev. Magumba’s sentence “sends a clear message to anyone considering breaking our Same rates 24/7 ! immigration laws that Use your existing pay Britain is no longer a monthly or PAYG SIM. soft touch. We now For more details visit have specialist teams of www.auracall.com/afro immigration and police officers working to prosecute people who commit this form of Helpline: 020 8497 4622 organised criminality

Instant Cheap calls to Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria!

10

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

COVER

Break culture of silence on violence against women Betty Makoni’s new book “A Woman, Once a Girl-Breaking Silence” transforms victims into leaders Girls and women often suffer violence in silence. Womanhood and motherhood is under attack.

This must no longer continue.

The time to break silence is right here and now. This is the key message Betty Makoni, a Zimbabwean activist stresses in her new book.

The Poetry book, “A Woman, Once a Girl-Breaking Silence” aims at transforming victims into leaders. This book gives a holistic empowerment package to those feeling hopeless, rejected, abused, and undermined in any way. The poems are real-life experiences that you can always derive inspiration from. Her mother experienced violence, and Betty, who was only six years old, stood up and urged her to report. She suppressed Betty’s voice and silenced her poetically with a “Shh, we don’t say domestic things in public.”

“My mother always wanted issues she considered domestic to remain locked in the heart and house. As a child, my mouth knew her index finger more than anything else. She always placed it tight against my mouth when I tried to voice out on abuse she was going through. My first poem was suppressed,” Betty writes in the book.

“However, I did some routine, rhythmic chants like shouts when I went out to sell on the streets. I recited the same words every day. These became a poor girl`s song. Early days of my life were marked by suppression of my voice.”

A few years later, the mother died in

“A Woman, Once a Girl-Breaking Silence” Launch Venue Address: 100 London Road, SE1 6LN, London The Lodge Lecture Theatre Date: 8th March 2012 Time: 4:30pm for book signing.

Film screening: 5pm sharp Donation: £15 for a signed copy of “A Woman Once a Girl –Breaking silence” which is donated to Girls Empowerment and Education Fund Light refreshments will be served.

Cash bar Available For more information: Email:gcnworldwide@gmail.com Tel: 07951522790

cold blood after heavy beatings by her husband. It led Betty to be a mother when she was nine years old. “A Woman, Once a Girl-Breaking Silence” takes readers through a journey of inner pain that is unleashed when Betty becomes a globally acclaimed activist.

The journey Betty has trod leaves permanent and visible footsteps. Today, her poetry book takes a new approach to selfempowerment by presenting breaking culture of silence—poetic prose verses in short story form. It is an easy to read book, yet very powerful for reflection. The stories are personal experiences, and there is a poem for everyone to easily connect to a situation similar to their own experiences.

The poems speak about struggles of African women from the time they are girls up until they become women. The poetic prose storybook is a forerunner of Betty’s official much-awaited biography.

Her trials and tribulations as she tried to be a woman, a leader, a wife, and a mother and balance all these roles is an open testimony. Transitioning from being a girl to becoming a woman is with hurdles and hardships, and “A Woman, Once a Girl: Breaking Silence” takes a sigh of relief that mission is accomplished as one overcomes gender inequality and wars being fought by their bodies and breaks vicious cycles of poverty and gender-based violence.

Using simple poetic verse, Betty has shared everyday stories that may be taken for granted and yet can undermine an indi-

vidual’s abilities. This book is for anyone defending their rights and those of the most vulnerable. It speaks to you to keep positive energy.

Betty is the Founder and Director of Girl Child Network (GCN) Zimbabwe.

She is also Chief Executive Officer of Girl Child Network World Wide (GCNW). This is an organization that champions the rights of the girl child globally and has been profiled in the 2011 University of Essex Journal and many books and documentary films as a Best Practice for replication.

“A Woman, Once A girl-Breaking Silence” will be officially launched on 8th March 2012 in London. All the people who are concerned about womanhood and motherhood are invited to come and heal through Betty’s story.

An award winning documentary film of Betty’s work, “Tapestries of Hope” will be screened for the first time in London on International Women`s Day. Directed by Michealene Risley, the film shows the work Betty does in protecting the powerless girls and women in Zimbabwe as she struggles to rescue girls raped because of the myth that virgins cure HIV and AIDS. It is a story of hope.

We’d like to encourage as many people as possible to attend the launch event which will support the activities of GCNW a charity that surely deserves our full support.

Pauline Long will be a special guest at the event. Ms. Long is the Founder of

Europe’s biggest award ceremony for black and ethnic personalities in entertainment, film, fashion, television and arts (BEFFTA).

To purchase your entry ticket, please go to: h t t p : / / w w w. e v e n t b r i t e . c o m / event/2777330069/efblike.

You can purchase a copy of “A Woman, Once A girl-Breaking Silence” from Amazon and many other online shops. You can also get a copy from here: http://books t o r e . t r a ff o r d . c o m / P r o d u c t s / S K U 000526911/A-Woman-Once-a-Girl.aspx.

“I refuse to be a victim” Exclusive interview with Betty Makoni Betty Makoni is an extraordinary woman whose work has touched and continues to transform lives of hundreds of thousands of girls in Africa.

Since 1999, Betty has mobilized over 300,000 girls in Zimbabwe to be empowered to reach their full potential. She has mobilized financial resources to build four Girls Empowerment Villages, a unique model that provides safe shelter and healing for sexually abused girls. Today, over

70,000 sexually abused girls have been empowered and rehabilitated through family, school and in the community. As she prepares to launch her new book “A Woman, Once a Girl-Breaking Silence”, Betty shares with us how the idea to write the book came about and how she felt while working on it.

Betty, what motivated you to write this book?

It’s a book that came a long way. First

I must say I worked on the frontline rescuing girls from situations where they were raped, forced to marry, where they were not in school, or re-instated them back to school, took them for rehabilitation in Girls Empowerment Village.

And everything that happened when I was at the forefront doing that really struck my heart, I felt pain, sometimes I felt helpless, but a lot of times I found myself regaining energy, so each time I encountered a girl who was in a situation that looked hopeless, the only way I put

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

COVER on funding coming from other sources, but if I sell my book like what I used to do selling tomatoes and onions on the street, then I take a little bit of money from there, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a dollar or two dollars, I take it and give it to a girl

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

coat. Anything that comes on me bounces back, I no longer feel as if I should be a victim again, I refuse to be a victim, that’s the most critical part about being the activist that I am. I experienced it and now I told myself, enough, I won’t have anything of this sort

“The journey to being a woman is a journey that is marred with challenges; it’s a journey that is painful, it’s a journey that every woman in the world goes through regardless of your class, race, language, of your religion” Mrs. Betty Makoni, A girl child rights activist and CNN hero for protecting the powerless to go to school. I would have that satisfaction that I did not remain a beggar. I also transformed into a donor, I’m also making a statement that my inspirational story is a donation to the next generation of girls.

How did you feel while working on the book? Did it make you relieve the past sad experiences?

out pain was to sit down, take my paper, take my pen and start writing a poem.

As I was writing, a poem, I was also taking away the pain, so I must say what motivated me to put together the book is to make a statement globally to say there are people who are working on the frontline, there are people who become victims because they are assisting victims. Unless their story is understood by the world, the world might not think anything is being done, that anything is going on. And you know some people are trying hard.

The book is tracking my own personal story, my mother’s story, who died at age 33, and my story of being a rape victim at age 6, and I put all that together to make a statement to the world that when you become a woman, the journey to being a woman is a journey that is marred with challenges; it’s a journey that is painful, it’s a journey that every woman in the world goes through regardless of your class, race, language, or your

religion.

Patriarchy holds the key to anybody’s life, it’s a man’s world, and then I was like taking a sigh of relief and saying, I’ve finally arrived. This is what I wanted to see, an organization that champions the rights of the child. Women who through their stories, help other girls to heal.

I also wanted to leave a legacy, and a legacy in the form of a book, everyone who has walked a journey has got a story, but how my story is different is that every part of my journey, I see pain, I see passion, I see perseverance, I see resilience, that journey is a journey that I want to share.

And then as somebody who is now a speaker around the world, I feel after speaking, a lot of people really want to touch my hand, they want to be close to me, they want to stay closer, what I’m simply saying is that here is the book, read the book even after I’ve gone. And then I simply also wanted people to donate, you know as African women we depend

When I was working on the book, I really felt relieved. I really felt each piece of pain coming out because it’s so chronologically done - from the day I told myself that this is the work that I want to do. Then I also went on to sample some poems on the actual work I went to do, and then the backlash I faced, the trials and tribulations of a girls’ rights defender, then I went on to show that it’s hard to help, you also become a victim.

Then I went on to make a statement that despite all this, I’m still going to do it. I’m not going to stop, up until the age of retirement, this is the job I’ve always wanted to do. So I really want people to know that I relieved the memories in a positive way, that as I wrote each and every part of the book, I had some girls who had transformed, so in the book you are also going to see some girls who followed my footsteps and also protested against abuse, you are going to see real life images of what is taking place.

Each picture first reminds me who I was some 40 years back, but each picture again reminds me of where I am going and why I should keep that journey.

So yes, sad past experiences, but it’s good that I turned the past experiences into something positive, to see a girl smile to see a girl visible, to see a girl coming out.

What keeps you going Betty?

As you know I’m somebody who has developed a resistant

coming my way.

The only thing that keeps me going is to see a girl who comes to me from far away, even from Zimbabwe - they don’t have Facebook, they don’t have all these technologies, but just the thought that a poor girl has gone to an Internet Cafe to say: “Betty, I’m still going on even if you are in exile, even if you have gone, we are still following your footsteps,” that gives me satisfaction that I did something good, I did something that I was supposed to be doing.

So every positive story coming from a girl really gives me energy. I’ve got girls who are directors, lawyers, accountants, so when you see your girls flourishing, there is no need for you to keep going to next level. I’m at a level where I’m just a queen, a queen getting reports, a queen getting requests, a queen being asked to speak to inspire, but I do have some foot soldiers, those who are on the ground who have taken up, so it’s good for me that with my leadership, I was at the frontline, now I’m at the top of the belt where I’m just commanding. But remember I was also one of the girls who really needed this help, I gave it to myself, I’m now giving it to others, so when you pay back, it’s not like you are losing anything, when you are paying back, you are being grateful, that’s what really keeps me back, and my poems keep me back, when people want me out of this work, I kick back in, I take every poetic language in me to say you should go

11

do what you feel like doing.

How’s Girl Child Network doing now?

Girl Child Network World Wide is thriving, we are getting a lot of support. We have been screening “Tapestries of Hope”, the award winning documentary on my work. The whole of the US is mobilized to donate. And here in the UK I have started a journey to take my book to the people, to say these are the stories. When we read about these stories, can’t we be moved to help?

I’m at the stage where I’m telling the story, many people don’t know it. In order for us to mobilize as many resources as we need, we need to come out to say to people, here we are and this is what we are doing. But also I want to say that the Girls Empowerment Fund that I started a year ago is getting momentum, it’s getting a lot of people donating to it, let’s hope it keeps going. Girl Child Network is now in Uganda, Sierra Leone, we are strengthening our efforts in Zimbabwe, the UK remains as our main office, so we keep going.

We are moving on the forward side, we are not going to look back again, of course we face challenges, we are still getting a lot of people who attack us through the Internet, Internet is now being increasingly used to attack human rights defenders like us to confuse our work, but also we get very good people who come to strengthen the work.

For instance, it was really funny when somebody said ‘you received the CNN Heroes Award, we heard that CNN took back the award from you’. Then I said to myself, good people who do such good work like CNN who profile the work of heroes, they go on supporting you in a way that I’m not even able to describe here, it’s really so positive, it’s really so good. So I must say we’ve made a global breakthrough in Girl Child Network, we are here, coming from a small village in Africa and you find yourself here in Essex with an office set up for global excellence for all the activities girls are doing in the world. I know one by one people are coming. Rome was not built in one day and that exactly fits what we are saying.

By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a

BETTY MAKONI’S LINKS www.girlchildnetworkworldwide.org www.muzvarebettymakoni.org Follow Betty Makoni on Twitter: Betty_Makoni Follow Girl Child Network Worldwide on Twitter GCNW Join Betty Makoni on Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/pages/Muzvare-BettyMakoni/118264034906772

prepaid money transfer: a new way to send money with Western Union

goCASH is available in 3 denominations of ÂŁ50, ÂŁ100 and ÂŁ200. With goCASH, you have that choice and convenience to send your money.

Need to send money fast on the go or conveniently from home?

With the new Western UnionÂŽ goCASH ServiceSM, buy a prepaid money transfer at selected WHSmith stores and complete it wherever you want.

How does it work?

Buy a goCASH package at selected WHSmith stores

Scratch and reveal the Transfer Code on the back of the goCASH package

Call our customer service to complete the Money Transfer

Receiver can pick up their cash at over 437,000 Western Union Agent locations worldwide

Quick. Convenient. Reliable.

Whether you’re a sender or a receiver, the new goCASH service is easy to use and as reliable as a regular Western Union Money Transfer. Transfer £50, £100 or even £200 to friends and family in over 200 countries and territories. Receiver can pick up money at over 437,000 locations worldwide.

Visit

stores* today and make

* Available at selected WHSmith stores. Visit www.westernunion.co.uk, click on “Find B MPDBUJPOw BOE TFBSDI CZ BHFOU OBNF i8)4NJUIw UP mOE UIF MPDBUJPO OFBSFTU UP ZPV

XPSL GPS ZPV

THE GUIDE

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

13

Applying for settlement as a spouse or partner Form SET(M) and supporting documents To successfully apply for permission to settle in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’ or ILR) as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner of a British citizen or a person who is settled here, you must satisfy the requirements set out by the Immigration Rules.

If you meet those requirements, you should apply for settlement by completing form SET(M) and submitting the supporting documents.

Who can apply for settlement using form SET(M) You should use application form SET(M) if you: • currently have temporary permission to remain in the UK as the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried/ same-sex partner of a British citizen or a person settled here; • have lived here for 2 years in this category; and • are still planning to live together (and are still married or in a civil partnership, if applicable).

If you were given permission to remain in the UK as an unmarried or same-sex partner and are now applying to settle here as the husband, wife or civil partner of the same person, your 2-year qualifying period started on whichever is the later of these two dates: the date when Home Office gave you permission to remain as an unmarried or same-sex partner; or the date when you arrived in the UK. You must be in the UK when you apply. When you apply, you will need to show that you have a good knowledge of language and life in the UK if you are aged between 18 and 64.

If you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or if you are the partner of an EEA national, you should not use form SET(M).

Applying for your children You can use one form for a joint application by you and any children aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately, using application form SET(F).

Home Office will accept a photocopy that is certified as an accurate copy by the body or authority that issued the original, or by a notary - but you must include a letter explaining why you are providing a certified copy rather than the original document.

Hereafter is the list of documents required by Home Office.

Passports and immigration documents 1. Your current passport or travel document (if you last entered the UK on a previous passport or travel document, also provide this document if you still have it).

©Dreamtime.com

Documents to submit when applying for settlement

2. The current passport(s) or travel document(s) for each child under 18 included in section 3 and applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK with you. If they last entered the UK on previous passport(s) or travel document(s), also provide these documents if you still have them.

3. Your Biometrics Residence Permit if you have been issued with one since entering the UK. 4. The Biometrics Residence Permit for each child under 18 included in section 3 and applying for an indefinite leave to remain in the UK with you if they have been issued with them since entering the UK. 5. Child’s birth certificate: a full birth certificate (i.e. one which shows the parents’ names) for each child under 18 of your present marriage or civil partnership or relationship who is applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK with you.

Your partner’s immigration status • Your partner’s current passport or travel document showing that he/she is present and settled in the UK.

Documents to submit with form SET(M)

Your finances

You need to submit a substantial amount of documents to support a settlement application. Send the original documents, if you have them, not copies. In exceptional circumstances,

• Evidence of your finance: bank statements, building society savings books, pay slips or other formal documents as evidence of your and your partner’s ability to maintain and accommodate

yourselves and any dependants without recourse to public funds.

NOTE: Internet or cash-point statements are not accepted as evidence of finances. If you claim that a relative or friend is providing you with financial support, in addition to evidence of your own finances, you must provide bank statements or other documents of the kind described above as evidence of their financial resources. The documents showing the finances available to you and to any person supporting you should cover at least the last 3 months.

Knowledge of language and life in the UK If you are aged 18-64, you must provide one of the following: 1. A Life in the UK test pass notification letter; or 2. A relevant ESOL qualification with an original certificate from the approved awarding body, together with a letter from your college confirming your name, qualification, name of the awarding body and details on the courses.

3. A letter from your partner’s employer certifying that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK if you are the partner of a permanent member of HM Diplomatic Service; or a comparable UK-based staff member of the British Council on a tour of duty abroad; or a staff member of the Department for International Development; or 4. A medical certificate or similar document if you are claiming exemption from taking the Life in the UK test or doing an ESOL course because of a medical or other condition.

Evidence of cohabitation • 6 letters and/or other documents addressed to you and your partner at the same address as evidence that you have been living together during the past 2 years.

If you do not have enough items in your joint names, you may also provide items addressed to each of you individually if they show the same address for both of you. The dates of the letters or documents should spread over the whole 2 years. They should be from at least 3 different sources.

Examples: letters or other documents from government departments or agencies, for example HMRC, Dept for Work and Pensions, DVLA and TV Licensing letters or other documents from your GP, a hospital or other local health service about medical treatments, appointments, home visits or other medical matters; bank statements or bank books; utility bills; etc.

Photographs Relevant photographs must be submitted with the forms and supporting documents. If you do not supply them or the photographs do not meet the requirements, your application will be rejected.

1. Two recent identical passport-size photographs of yourself with your full name written on the back of each photograph.

2. A recent passport-size photograph of your partner with his/her full name written on the back of the photograph.

3. Two recent identical passport-size photographs of each child under 18 applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK with you, with their full name written on the back of each photograph.

Where to apply Applications for settlement can be made: 1. by post at the address stated on the application form; or 2. in person, by appointment a. at one of the Home Office’s Public Enquiry Offices. b. through the Settlement Checking Service, operated by a number of local authorities.

The settlement checking service is an optional service, which is available for a fee to applicants using the SET (M) application form only, at a local authority register office.

The checking service will give you reassurance and peace of mind that your application is complete and correct, although it does not guarantee your application will be successful. However, applications received through the settlement checking service are generally faster to process, as fewer cases are rejected or delayed due to incomplete or missing documents.

For further information on the settlement checking service and what it offers, please see the Settlement checking service page at http://www.ukba. homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/ settlement/applicationtypes/applicationformset(m)/scs/ Edited by Foreignersinuk.co.uk, Source: Immigration Rules; SET(M) Application Form and Guidance Notes Disclaimer: The above article is meant to be relied upon as an informative article and in no way constitutes legal advice. Information is offered for general information purposes only, based on the current law when the information was published in this newspaper.

SPECIAL UK LEGAL GUIDE

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

14

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

AFRICAN NEWS

Call for early action to avert Sahel food and nutrition crisis “Drought, poor harvests and rising food prices have left the Sahel region of West-Central Africa on the brink of a humanitarian crisis,” warned Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

“We must not wait until people are starving in order to act.

The world must respond immediately to avert a full-scale food and nutrition crisis,” the Special Rapporteur said. “This crisis may look like a natural calamity, but it is in fact a symptom of our failure to be better prepared and to react more swiftly to early warning signs. The failure of the international community to act, now and in the future, would result in major violations of the right to food.”

Countries affected so far are Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. Concerns also extend to Burkina Faso and Senegal, where Governments are still assessing the situation, and to northern parts of Cameroon and Nigeria. Most of the governments have declared a state of emergency and requested international assistance.

Six million people in Niger, 2.9 million in Mali, and 700,000 in Mauritania live in the regions affected. Low outputs and high prices are causes for serious con-

©UN

A UN expert has called for early action to avert Sahel food and nutrition crisis.

Olivier de Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food cern in these countries, where the link between food insecurity and malnutrition is very strong. In Chad and Mauritania, there is a grain deficit of more than 50 per cent compared to last year.

Due to their greater nutritional needs, children face the highest risk of mortality linked to malnutrition, followed by pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls. Global acute malnutrition is already at alarming levels in

many areas and will continue to rise.

“The warning signs are all there,” Mr. De Schutter said. “We are in the immediate post-harvest period, when prices should drop significantly. But in some cases they continue to rise, and in others they are stabilizing well above the five-year average. In Niger, millet prices were 37 per cent higher in November 2011 than a year earlier, and other key cereals

are up to 40 per cent higher than the regional five-year average.”

The Special Rapporteur warned that while the lean season will come earlier, it will last longer than usual. “This will leave the Sahel hugely reliant on food imports, which will have to be acquired at sky-high prices on international markets. This could spell disaster for the millions of people whose food needs will rise as their purchasing power plummets,” Mr. De Schutter said.

Although he deplored the slow reaction of the authorities in Burkina Faso and Senegal, the Special Rapporteur applauded the rapid moves by most governments in the Sahel region to declare an emergency, and called on the international community to show equal urgency. “We have the technology to predict food shortages accurately, and we have learned some lessons from previous crises. Now we need the international response. The world must not make the same mistakes it did in delaying its response to last year’s crisis in the Horn of Africa. We have a chance, and a duty, to save lives,” Mr. De Schutter said.

He underlined that short-term emergency assistance must be combined with sustained actions to tackle the underlying causes of famine across Africa and the developing world.

“In the short term, cash support is needed. The international

community must also ensure that emergency food reserves are prepositioned in risk-prone regions, so that where local purchases are not possible, humanitarian agencies have access to food stocks below the market rate. We must also invest in climate-resilient agriculture: diverse farming systems, agroforestry, reservoirs to capture rainfall, to allow agricultural producers to withstand droughts. And each country must adopt a drought strategy that clearly defines which actions must be taken, by which authority, with which resources, in order to assist the communities affected.”

Mr. De Schutter also emphasized that chronic malnutrition was the result not only of a lack of food, but also of bad feeding practices, poor healthcare, and lack of access to safe drinking water.

In Niger in 2011, he noted, the harvests were at a historic high, but 900,000 children were still severely malnourished. “The right to food requires measures beyond agricultural policies: it should also guide the action of ministries of health and education, and leadership in adopting measures to avoid massive violations of this right should come from the highest level of Government,” he said.

He emphasized however that the need for long-term, structural actions, should not be a pretext for not acting swiftly now.

A British surgeon from Hertfordshire is one the British medics heading to Togo this week to join a volunteer medical team screening thousands of potential patients.

Consultant maxillo-facial surgeon Peter McDermott is volunteering with the international charity Mercy Ships that runs the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the “Africa Mercy”. The ship provides free healthcare and training to local healthcare workers.

It arrived in Togo in early January and Peter will be part of the team performing the first surgeries on board the ship following the main screening day. He is one of more than 50 British medics volunteering for Mercy Ships in Togo this year.

It is common for thousands of

people to queue looking for treatment on the main screening days and so Mercy Ships also conducts smaller, advance screenings across the country ahead of the ship’s arrival.

Togo was the first country in Africa that Mercy Ships visited in 1990. This is the fifth time the ship is visiting the country.

This year, the volunteer medics on the “Africa Mercy” will perform free surgeries for new patients, as well as follow-up with patients operated on by Mercy Ships during its previous visit in 2010. During the five month field service, Mercy Ships hopes to provide more than 1,250 free surgeries, 11,000 dental procedures and the training of 900 local representatives.

The “Africa Mercy” has six operating theatres, a laboratory, pharmacy, a 78-bed ward and an

outpatient clinic and is staffed by up to 400 volunteers from 40 nations at any one time.

At least 100 people volunteer from the UK each year performing jobs ranging from surgeons and nurses to cooks and engineers.

The 2012 field service in Lomé, Togo, will include the following services: eye surgeries, eye training, maxillo-facial surgeries, reconstructive surgeries, life-changing general surgeries, VVF (vesico-vaginal fistula) surgeries, dental care and basic oral health education and ministering of terminally ill individuals and their families.

Mercy Ships will also help in the capacity building by organising leadership conferences and agriculture training programmes.

It is staffed by an international crew of dedicated volunteers

©Mercy Ships

Largest charity hospital ship provides free treatment in Togo

Dr. Peter McDermott, consultant maxillo-facial surgeon from over 40 nations ranging from seamen, engineers, surgeons, doctors and nurses. The surgeons onboard perform operations, such as cleft lip and palate, cataract and crossed eye corrections, facial reconstructions, club

feet and dental treatments, on children and adults.

Over the last 32 years, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at £530 million and impacting about 2.9 million people.

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

AFRICAN NEWS

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

15

Amnesty International has urged Nigerian authorities to carry out effective police reform so as to end legacy of human rights violations.

The committee established by President Goodluck Jonathan to oversee the reorganization of the police force in Nigeria must prioritize ending human rights violations in order to break the cycle of violence that is engulfing the country, Amnesty International said.

“The government’s initiative to make the police force a more capable and credible organization is very welcome but in order to

re-establish public confidence in the force, it is imperative that the reform process tackles impunity and corruption,” said Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International’s Africa Program director.

Police operations have been characterized by human rights violations. Nigeria’s police have been responsible for large numbers of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force and cases of torture and other ill-treatment.

Investigations into such abuses have rarely been initiated or acted upon and those involved were not brought to justice, Amnesty International said.

“The government’s initiative to make the police force a more capable and credible organization is very welcome but in order to re-establish public confidence in the force, it is imperative that the reform process tackles impunity and corruption” Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International’s Africa Program director

“The committee must establish the facts about violations of human rights by the police; investigate all reports of violations and, if enough admissible evidence is gathered, recommend the suspected perpetrators for prosecution; as well as ensure full and effective reparation to the victims and their families,” said Erwin van der Borght. “Ending human rights violations by the Nigerian police will require legal reform, plus the commitment and support of government and those within the police force.”

Police stations also lack the resources to investigate complex crimes that require specialized skills, and although all police stations are obliged to keep records, many do not adequately document their work. There is no database for fingerprints, no systematic forensic investigation methodology and insufficient budget for investigations.

©Sawa2

Amnesty calls for effective police reform in Nigeria

Policing in Nigeria is dangerous work. Police staff do not have the tools or the training to deal with the high crime rate in the country. Most police stations are badly maintained and poorly equipped. Officers do not have enough basic equipment such as bullet-proof vests or handcuffs.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its willingness to address the problems in the criminal justice system, improve access to justice and reform the police force. However, several recommendations for improve-

ment from various review panels in recent years have not been implemented.

A review of the Police Act (1990) began in 2004 but the draft bill has been pending since October 2006. Laws, regulations and codes of conduct to protect human rights are not enforced.

“The Nigerian police force must introduce a new code of conduct throughout its chain of command – from the very top to the very bottom. If not, the cycle of violence will continue,” said Erwin van der Borght.

Africa upbeat despite economic crisis - Zuma The economic crisis occurs under very upbeat circumstances for Africa, South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has said.

Speaking at the 26th NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee on 28th January 2012, the President said Africa has recorded high growth levels and has become a prime focus in the world.

The recent economic forecast from the IMF indicates that the economy of the

African continent will grow by over five percent on average in the next two years, he said, adding that economists from all over the world predict that Africa is going to be the next growth area in the world after Asia.

“The economic decline of the developed North demonstrates that we have to increasingly trade among ourselves and other countries in the South,” President Zuma said. “We all know that efforts to accelerate the development and structural

transformation of African economies are hindered by very substantial obstacles, particularly those related to finance and infrastructure as well as governance, and human capital.”

He advised African countries not to wait until all of these obstacles are resolved to create productive jobs. “Other economies managed to expand production and exports while still grappling with the same sorts of constraints currently observed in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.

He added that traditional models of financing and delivering infrastructure must give way to new models and different ways of financing infrastructure, with a particular focus on Public Private Partnerships.

“This principle is the foundational platforms for any sound public infrastructure project involving private sector participation.

By BuaNews

16

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Sports must become major income earner for Jamaica – Minister It “will be the glue that binds us together as a people,” she said.

She added that in this 50th year of Independence, Jamaicans must be prepared, as a nation, to move the development of sports to reflect the greatness that resides in them as a people.

The Minister was speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the first international, standardised baseball field in Jamaica, at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sports, in St. Catherine, on 27th January 2012.

Mrs. Neita-Headley said Government policies must positively influence economic models for the development of sports. “I am now reviewing the Green Paper for the revised National Sports Policy and you can be assured that our approach to sports, as a business, will feature prominently in the final version of this document,” the Sports Minister stated.

Construction of the baseball diamond began on 30th January 2012 and is expected to be completed by February 2013. It will cost the government approximately $800,000, instead of the required US$12,000, as the main engineer, Damon VanBrocklin, who will construct the field, has opted to waive his fee.

Mrs. Neita-Headley said the construc-

tion is significant, “as not only are we region and Jamaica must be known as the undertaking to invest in the development ‘go-to’ country for exporting coaches.” of another new sport, but we are also Recalling that Jamaica has produced expanding the possibilities that sport can offer to our country as an income earner.”

She noted that although baseball might be seen as an unconventional sport for most Jamaicans, she is confident that within a few years, it will be among one of the many sporting activities in which Jamaicans not only participate, but excel.

The Minister informed that in this regard, some 34 local physical education teachers have been trained and have received Level One certification.

“This is commendable and only a small part of the vision that I have for G.C. Foster College and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt the business of sports,” she said.

She argued that with the new field many world stars in athletics, cricket, boxbeing built at G.C. Foster, the government ing and football, the Minister said: “It is, and its stakeholders are “planting the seed therefore, not beyond us to produce baseof sustainability and the country stands to ball icons, like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, benefit in the immediate and near future.” C.Y. Young and most recently, Andre She went on to say that: “In a few Dawson.” years, the college should be known for Principal, G.C. Foster College, Edward producing world class coaches in this Shakes, said he was pleased to be part of

UN expert visits Haiti to evaluate human rights situation The United Nations Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti, Michel Forst, is visiting Haiti from 31st January to 8th February 2012 to evaluate the human rights situation there.

©UN

His last mission to Haiti was in September 2011. Mr. Forst will follow up on recommendations made in his last report to

Michel Forst, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti

the Human Rights Council.

“I will focus on issues of human rights in the context of the humanitarian crisis, the implementation of a human rights-based approach to reconstruction, preventing impunity for serious human rights violations and the pursuit of reforms in the area of rule of law. I also would like to propose to Haitian authorities a work plan for 2012 with activities addressing the enjoyment of economic and social rights in particular,” said Mr. Forst.

During his mission the Independent Expert will visit Port-au-Prince and Gonaives.

He will meet with the new Haitian authorities, Members of Parliament, the national human rights institution, the diplomatic corps, representatives of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the UN System in Haiti, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and civil society.

©Richard Giles

Jamaica’s Minister with responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley, says it is her vision that sports will become a major income earner for the country.

the development of baseball in Jamaica. “It is only natural and logical that the diamond will be sited here at G.C. Foster, because if we are commencing a sport programme in our country, then we ought to put it at a place that is established in order to build capacity,” he argued.

He further noted that by constructing the baseball diamond at the College, the government is making it possible for local physical education teachers and coaches to be trained in teaching the sport, and eventually will be dispersed to local schools.

“In so doing, we will build capacity for the development of baseball in our country by entrenching it in the minds of every child and helping them to develop an interest and the skills necessary to participate in the discipline,” he said.

Head of Projects, Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Terry Monteque, said the project represented a real milestone in the further development of sports in Jamaica, noting that the construction will enable local students to broaden their horizon.

“I give Jamaicans five to ten years, based on our natural ability and our tendency towards sports, to land ourselves at least one individual in some major league across the world,” he said.

The construction of the baseball field is being spearheaded by INSPORT, which is an agency of the Ministry of Sports, with funding from the SDF.

By Athaliah Reynolds, JIS Reporter

Commonwealth celebrates women as agents of change Commonwealth has chosen ‘Women as Agents of Change’ as the theme for Commonwealth Day which will be marked on 14th March 2012.

The Commonwealth will celebrate women whose work has made a positive difference to the lives of others, and will emphasise the message that by investing in women and girls, social, economic and political progress can be accelerated in Commonwealth member states.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth’s first woman Chairperson-in-Office, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said: “From birth, to their first day in school, having a successful career – and everything in between – women and girls must be given the chance to succeed and become the agents

of change we need.”

A similar message came from Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Kamalesh Sharma who said: “Women and girls hold the key to sustained development and improving the lives of others. To change a woman’s life for the better is to unlock the potential to change and lift a whole society.”

Mr. Sharma continued: “The Commonwealth understands the crucial role that women play in their families, communities and in society at large. For nearly 40 years the Commonwealth has run programmes looking at women’s access to health, education, enterprise, leadership, and the impact of conflict on them.”

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

17

TV star out to give voice to the voiceless Interview with Akua Boahemaa Boate, co-hostess of Ghana’s Most Beautiful Show Akua Boahemaa Boate (ABB), a budding TV personality burst onto the Ghanaian screens a few months ago but has already proved to be a promising TV icon. She is a co-hostess of Ghanabased TV3’s popular live show christened Ghana’s Most Beautiful.

Akua is a young lady who has spice to make a positive impact on society. She spent about 15 years living and studying in the UK before returning to Ghana. In this interview, Akua shares with us more about herself, experience in the UK and job as a TV hostess.

Who is Akua Boahemaa Boate (ABB)?

ABB is a fresh individual who is looking to bring an additional dimension to broadcasting whereby my primary concern is providing an opportunity for the voice of the voiceless to be heard and understood; an opportunity to inspire and educate the youth – especially the female youth.

How did you get interested in broadcasting?

I have had an interest in broadcasting from a very early age; however, there was nothing specific that drew my attention but I always believed I had an innate ability in front of the camera.

What sort of upbringing did you have abroad and in Ghana?

I had a normal upbringing both in the UK and Ghana. In the UK I was exposed to a very structured lifestyle while in Ghana, although there was structure, it was not as rigid. The experiences and influences of both countries have allowed me to develop a variety of skill sets and the ability to easily adapt in any environment and this has shaped my outlook on life.

all activities with relative ease.

If you were not on TV, what would you be doing?

Well, having successfully pursued a career in Law, the lure of the camera has taken precedence.

Who inspires you?

I believe the human being in its entirety inspires me. Our desire to survive irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves epitomizes our essence.

Which admire?

TV

personality

do

you

Abroad I admire Trevor McDonald as he represents and inspires Africans in the Diaspora to achieve; In Ghana I admire Giffa as she tells it like it is and not afraid to speak her mind.

Tell us about your earlier adventures as well as your stint with Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) Show.

Life previous to the GMB Show was very much predictable as I was managing my household and nurturing my two beautiful daughters Angel and Abidaisy.

However, since the GMB Show, my work load has increased exponentially in a manner totally different albeit pleasantly. After the little beauties are asleep, I mentally prepare for the show sometimes having long days and short nights. However, I appreciate that a high work load comes with the territory of the GMB Show and as such my strong work ethic helps me to cope admirably.

Did you always harbour a desire to work for TV3?

I always harboured a desire to work in TV but never restricted myself in thought to any single station.

I have had to learn to manage my time effectively and thus have learned to fit in

There has never been a difficult moment; I would prefer to see it rather as challenging as the last thing I expected was

©Nollywoodgossip

What has been your most difficult moment on the GMB Show?

©Nollywoodgossip

Do you manage to squeeze in a love life between your job as a TV hostess and all other projects?

to have hundreds of people chanting ABB and to have such a huge following in such a short space of time. For this I am humbled by the generosity of Ghanaians.

Has working on GMB Show influenced your personal fashion taste?

I have always had a taste for fashion. The GMB Show has allowed me to add an additional dimension and mix a variety of cultures to create a new blend which I plan to release on my ABB Show to be aired in the near future.

Do you enjoy the fame of being a TV personality?

I do not see it as fame; I see it as more of an opportunity to engage with personalities at all levels and an opportunity to blend with all whose paths cross mine whilst imparting and exchanging views that would help us all to become more rounded and better developed human beings.

Ms. Akua Boahemaa Boate, co-hostess of Ghana’s Most Beautiful Show

You lived abroad for a while, what were you doing there?

I was pursuing a degree in Law and broadening my horizons by engaging in travel around Europe.

Is there anything you miss abroad?

There is nothing I miss as there is no place like home and Ghana will always be home no matter how long I stay away. The warmth of the Ghanaian people is something that will always be missed when away from Ghana.

What was your most enjoyable part of living abroad?

I would say it would be the opportunity to interact with a variety of cultures without having to leave the shores of England.

London was very cosmopolitan and in my

Eeefy Ike, Nigeria’s super sexy Hollywood actress and model Eeefy Ike is a Nigerian Definition, Diesel Jeans born model, author and and many others, including a Nokia International Hollywood actress.

She has done television commercials for major brands such as Gillette shaving cream for men that aired in the US, UK, Europe and Africa for over two years.

She has also done national television commercials for Burger King, Keglevich Vodka, Sauza Diablo Tequila, Comcast High

area I had Chinese, Indian, English, Jamaican and Guyanese friends.

And do you hope for a long broadcasting career in Ghana?

I have left the decision for a long broadcasting career open to the people of Ghana. If they continue to love me I would stay in broadcasting as I relish the challenges.

Have you settled into the Ghanaian lifestyle easily having had a long stay abroad?

I am a true Ghanaian at heart so there is no adjustment required when at home.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are varied; I enjoy reading, travelling, fashion, music and just generally having a good chin wag with anyone who wishes to engage.

Check out

the latest entertainment news on:

product launch.

Most recently, Eeefy’s hands were used for the Aroma product national infomercial.

We will soon bring you an exclusive interview with this hot model.

By Nollywoodgossip

http://www.theafronews.eu/entertainment/blog

18

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

COMMENTARY-OP-ED

Patrick Vernon: How I used DNA in my genealogical research I started researching my family history 10 years ago after ‘interviewing’ my parents, who came to England from Jamaica in the 1950s as part of the “Windrush” generation who contributed to rebuilding Britain after World War II. I was able to go back four generations on my mother’s side of the family to the mid-19th century, locating the family name Shirley (they resided in the area of Sutherland in the parish of St James, Jamaica). With further information from an African-American family who shares the Shirley name, I was able to find details of the maternal mother of the entire enslaved black Shirleys of Jamaica, Sally Skiers, who bore a son called Edmund for a plantation owner named Henry Shirley.

Sally lived on a plantation called Peterfields, which is in the parish of Westmoreland. I was able to look at maps to see how plantations were clustered, and details of plantation owners and the terrain of the countryside, and determine the distance of travel with the neighbouring parishes of Hanover and St James, which had a high concentration of plantations.

With limited documents, I decided to undertake a Mitochondrial DNA test,

which provides invaluable data of one’s genetic footprint that can be matched with similar results around the world.

This DNA is passed down almost unchanged from generation to generation on the maternal line. Scientists believe that the DNA can be ultimately traced back to one woman who lived around 150,000 years ago, who is commonly referred to as Mitochondrial Eve in Africa.

My DNA result traced the lineage of my mother’s ancestors, giving a time line 2,000 to 5,000 years, to the Mandinka tribe of a village called Kedougou, in Senegal.

In July 2004, I decided to travel to Senegal to find out more about my family history. Prior to this journey, I looked at the Royal Geographical Society’s collections of maps to find out the history of different African kingdoms and the slave routes and geographical borders of the Senegambia region, which are now today the countries of Gambia and Senegal.

The DNA results and the maps made reference to the Mandinka tribe. I, however, did further research on the history of migration and intermixing of different tribes over the centuries in West Africa.

This fuelled my interest to travel and identify the particular cultural and ethnic group that my ancestors came from even more.

I travelled first to Gambia to the Roots

Homecoming Festival, to experience the cultural dialogue and pilgrimage of Diaspora people from the UK, Caribbean and Africa, making an emotional and social connection to the motherland.

Rite of passage I went to St James Island, a slave fort built in 1651 on the river Gambia. I then travelled to the village Jufureh, the home of Kunta Kinte, a descendant of Alex Haley who was documented in the seminal book and television series “Roots”.

I had the privilege of meeting the late Bina Kinte, who is the ninth generation of this family, Mr. Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive of and I took part in a rite of pasthe Afiya Trust sage ceremony, performing a ritual dance in front of the President tures and physique. I would ask, “Which of Gambia His Excellency Yahya tribe do you think I came from?” And it did Jammeh. not matter if it was a young person or elder, I then went to Senegal by ferry and car they would give the same answer, “Fulani.” to Dakar and spent the night at Goree I would respond, “How can you be so cerIsland, where the French built a slave fort tain, as my descendants are from Jamaica in 1780, called ‘The House of Slaves’. - we are mixed up with Europeans, Chinese, This was the final destination point of Indian and other people from Africa.” enslaved Africans being transported to the However, they would still say, “Fulani!”

Americas and the I thus accepted this tribe and have done Caribbean. research on the Fulani as one of the main Later, I travelled 15 nomadic tribes in North and West Africa. hours diagonally across Many of the Fulani travelled from Guinea Senegal to the village of to settle in surrounding areas of Kedougou, which is Kedougou. approximately 30 kilomeI went to the Dindefelo Falls, which tres from the border of borders both Senegal and Guinea, to reflect Guinea (the same route on my journey and the emotions of coming which was used during to terms with the past of my ancestors and the slave trade). the lives they may have led. And what it The village known as would be like to be captured and ‘Land of the Man’ is more enslaved. like a small town, which Although I, unfortunately, could not was founded by the find the ancestors of Sally Skiers in Diahank people. I was Kedougou, I did see a strong resemblance lucky to meet descendants to this area where my family comes from of the founding fathers of in St James, Jamaica - with lush foliage, the village, who described flowing rivers and hills everywhere. the migration of tribes I guess this was my homecoming. It from Guinea. They was a journey of a lifetime which I still explained how people reflect on every day as part of reclaiming were captured and and sharing my family history. It was an enslaved, slave markets, incredible journey and made me realise and the routes from the more than ever that, as a people, we really village. do need to know something about our past before we can really look at our future.

Fulani tribe

The week that I stayed in the village every one commented on my fea-

By Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive of the Afiya Trust and a leading genealogist on African and Caribbean family history

SEND US YOUR LETTERS We welcome letters on topical issues, your experiences, and or any article you have read in the AfroNews. Letters, not exceeding 600 words, must include your full name (not necessarily for publication), address and telephone numbers for verification. Letters may be edited for publication.

E-mail: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

Tel. 0207 300 7320 Email: afronews@myownmedia.co.uk

No. 3. 31st January 2012 www.theafronews.eu

LIFESTYLE & RELIGION

19

Nigerian archbishop calls for inter-religious solutions to violence

“In Nigeria, leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities have come together to condemn violence,” the archbishop said. “Since 1999 the Nigerian Inter-religious Council (NIREC) has worked to calm the passions arising from a series of attacks and retaliations manifested in murders and the burning of churches and mosques.”

In recent weeks, Islamic leaders have joined Christians in condemning renewed violence fomented by Boko Haram, a Nigerian group that demands the imposition of Sharia law and the eradication of western influence in the nation. The current wave of terror was started by church bombings at Christmas.

Archbishop Stephen asserted: “We want to see Nigeria remain

©WCC

Methodist Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen of Ibadan, Nigeria has appealed to Christian and Muslim leaders worldwide to act together in the face of extremist violence that threatens to divide Nigerians along religious lines.

Methodist Archbishop Michael Kehinde Stephen of Ibadan, Nigeria as one, but today there is apprehension and anxiety among people who fear that calls for geographical division may intensify.”

The north of Nigeria is populated predominantly by followers

of Islam, while southern Nigeria is largely Christian.

Archbishop Stephen said: “It is essential that people of faith work together to instil mutual trust among our communities. Yet our churches have not developed

a unified plan beyond dialogue.

And it is an open question whether the government can re-establish confidence and inspire national unity. There is a sense that we are being caught up in the sort of divisions that led to the tragedy of our civil war in the late 1960s.”

The archbishop serves as moderator of an international Christian panel that is preparing a report on ecumenism in the 21st century to be presented at the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in 2013.

Archbishop Stephen expressed thanks for prayers and other expressions of concern for Nigeria that he has received from the global community.

He continued: “What I would like to see now is the appointment of a highly visible visitation panel made up of both Christians and Muslims of international reputation. They would join in saying that what is happening in Nigeria is wrong, and that we have come to Nigeria to stand in solidarity with those who are striving for peace.”

Archbishop Stephen also urged for a strong ecumenical

support to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) in capacity building and empowering them to respond to the situation in Nigeria.

He explained: “The government and the people need this sort of demonstration that what is happening in Nigeria is no longer a local problem. It is a cause of deep concern internationally, and the great faith traditions can be part of the solution.”

Archbishop Stephen suggested that in the longer term, international Christian bodies might appoint an “ecumenical envoy” as was done in the build-up to independence for South Sudan.

Such an envoy would relate to churches through such national inter-church organizations as the CAN and the CCN. “Through an envoy or another means of regular contact,” he concluded, “world religious bodies can assist NIREC, CAN and the CCN by sharing resources, experiences from other places and best practices, in order to equip and mobilize our communities for the sake of peace.”

Pregnant women advised to avoid contact with animals giving birth Pregnant women have been advised to avoid close contact with animals that are giving birth.

The Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Health and Safety Executive have issued annual advice for a number of years that pregnant women who

come into close contact with sheep during lambing may risk their own health, and that of their unborn child, from infections that can occur in some ewes.

Although the number of human pregnancies affected by contact with an infected animal is extremely small, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks and take appropriate precautions.

It is also important to note that these risks are not only confined to the spring (when the majority of lambs are born), nor are the risks only associated with sheep: cows and goats that have recently given

birth can also carry similar infections.

To avoid the possible risk of infection, pregnant women should not help to lamb ewes, or provide assistance with a cow that is calving or a nanny goat that is kidding.

They should avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs, calves or kids or with the afterbirth, birthing fluids or materials (e.g. bedding) contaminated by such birth products. They should also avoid handling (including washing) clothing, boots or any materials that may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth, their young or afterbirths.

Pregnant women are also advised to

ensure partners attending lambing ewes or other animals giving birth take appropriate health and hygiene precautions, including the wearing of personal protective equipment and adequate washing to remove any potential contamination.

Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or influenza-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have acquired infection from a farm environment.

Farmers have a responsibility to minimise the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms.

Happy holidays!

SEND A GIFT OF CASH * FROM £4.90 Agent location

westernunion.co.uk

0800 833 833 from £6.90*

For more information, visit

westernunion.co.uk * Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. Subject to terms and conditions of service. Funds may be delayed or services unavailable based on certain transaction conditions, including amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, identification requirements, Agent location hours, differences in time zones, or selection of delayed options. Additional Restrictions may apply. See Send form for details.

© 2011 WESTERN UNION HOLDINGS, INC. All rights reserved.

Need a gift idea?