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DECEMBER 2016 TEL: 718 684 2510 EMAIL: info@tcjonline.org WEBSITE: www.tcjonline.org
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ISSUE #44
Nigeria corruption cash 'took 10 days to count'Page 17
‘“Desist from Entering Marriages with a Two Way Ticket” Page 8
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West Africa's Darling of Democracy Heads to the Polls
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Something Good is Coming!
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hen the year is winding down, the hope of many, especially believers, is the month of December. When the twists and turns of life wear people out in the course of the year, they finally exhale in December, hoping to catch some break in the ensuing year. And that New Year starts on December 25, the day Jesus Christ, our friend and Savior came to earth in human form. Elaborate preparations are beginning as Christmas paraphernalia adorn residential buildings and streets across the nation. At Steinway Street in Astoria, Queens, and some other areas in New York City, street decorations, with carols quietly blurring in public loudspeakers serve as a reminder of how important the occasion is. As usual, the fervor is unmatched in the history of mankind. Around this time in Jerusalem, the city is bursting at its seams because of its historical importance. Remember; Jesus Christ was brought to Jerusalem after His birth in Bethlehem. The Last Supper of Jesus took place on Mount Zion in Jerusalem and Jesus was captured at Gethsemane in Jerusalem. These places and other places where Jesus visited and taught are considered sacred by Christians all over the world and make the city as this time of the year very appealing. The Christmas story is recounted every year, but it has never lost its glamour. The reason? It's so sweet to fade away. Shepherds tending to their sheep on a cold winter night on the hills of Bethlehem were shaken to the core when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them. Looking perplexed and perhaps looking for a way out, the Angel assuaged their fears, “Do not be afraid,” He said, “ for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people; for there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. You shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men” (Luke 2:8-14).
themselves. As proud recipients of such exhilarating news, nothing was more important to these shepherds than the privilege of making the pilgrimage to see the Savior firsthand and spread the news. Call it the best gift ever and you will not be far from right. The Word says in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It was this belief that saved the life of a woman who had bled for eight years and had the courage to touch the helm of Jesus' garment; it was this belief that restored the sight of two blind men, who asked Jesus to have mercy on them; it was this belief that freed the woman at the well as Jesus offered her “a living water;” it was this belief that caused the healing of the man at the pool, who had been paralyzed for thirty eight years; and it was this belief that sustained a large gathering of about 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. That is the precious gift we are expecting. With His birth, God set in motion the plan for our freedom and salvation. The shepherds were all too willing to honor Christ with their presence because they envisaged that He is the light in a dark world, the hope of the oppressed and downtrodden, the comforter of the grieving and our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in times of trouble. The Scripture says in John 10:10: “He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.” We should celebrate Christmas not because of the fun we will be having, but ponder over it as the turning point of a brutal and crazy world in need of Christ's nous. Oh, yes, something good is coming! Let's revel in His birth and proclaim God's goodness for throwing a lifeline unto us. He is the God-sent gift that every home needs. Savor this precious gift of Jesus because He would be the game-changer in your life. The Christian Journal seizes this opportunity to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas.
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WORTHY NEWS Ghana: West Africa's Darling of Democracy Heads to the Polls
Akufo Addo of NPP
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hana, the poster child for democracy in West Africa, votes to elect its future leaders. The race for the presidency is expected to be a straight contest between the National Democratic Congress (NDC), their campaign being run on the mantra of "transforming lives", and the National Patriotic Party (NPP), which is campaigning on a "change agenda". But there is also continuing debate over whether the 'Nkrumahist' forces, including the Progressive People's Party (PPP), can emerge as a third option for voters. The leading presidential candidates are the same as those who featured in the last election in 2012: President John Mahama of the NDC and opposition leader Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP. About 25 political parties are contesting the general election, but only seven candidates are in the race for the presidency (six representing political parties and one independent). The Ghana Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified 12 presidential nominees on the basis of issues including errors on forms, forgery, incomplete forms, falsified signatures of nominees and invalid endorsements. Judicialisation of Politics In the lead-up to the presidential elections, a positive development has been the "judicialisation" of some elements of the electoral process. An example of this was the case brought before the Supreme Court against the EC concerning the use of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card as a form of identification
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for voter registration. The plaintiffs, having obtained a perpetual injunction in 2014 restraining the EC from using NHIS cards for registration, again approached the Supreme Court for an order requesting the EC expunge from the voters' register the names of all persons who registered for the 2012 elections using the cards. The court responded by ordering the deletion of the names of all those who registered with the cards, and further ruled that the EC remove the names of all other ineligible persons including those of deceased persons. However, the court refrained from rendering the voters' register invalid. Special Voting Procedure Additional tension is being generated between the EC and political parties over the special vote, a procedure envied by many in the region. The special vote enables those unable to vote at their polling units on election day to vote on a designated day ahead of the elections. An initial 65,000 persons were confirmed on the list of special voters. The list was later updated to 114,813 persons, and the current figure sits at 127,394. There are allegations that newlyrecruited police officials were introduced into the list less than 42 days ahead of the election, in breach of a minimum period prescribed by law. This has led some political parties to argue that the EC is not conforming to its own rules and regulations as stated in the Ghana Constitution of 1992. The NPP sued the EC, requesting that the results of special voting, which took place on December 1, be announced at the closure of the polls. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the law suit.
Jammeh Concedes Defeat in Gambia Election Upset
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ambia's president of more than 22 years conceded defeat Friday in the country's presidential election, vowing to step down after results showed him with a surprising loss. State media broadcast a phone call in which President Yahya Jammeh told opposition candidate Adama Barrow that he wanted to hand over power graciously and vowed not to contest the results. Jammeh congratulated Barrow for his "clear victory" and praised the elections as "transparent" and "rig-proof." He also said, "Allah is telling me my time is up," and added he would move to his farm after leaving office in January. Reporter Alpha Jallow told VOA that crowds of people gathered to dance in the streets of the Gambian capital, Banjul, Friday in celebration of Barrow's victory. Gambia's Independent Electoral Commission announced earlier Friday that Barrow won 263,000 votes, or 45 percent of the total, while Jammeh took 212,000 votes, about 36 percent. A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 17 percent. Barrow, 51, represents a coalition of seven opposition parties that challenged Jammeh in Thursday's
election. Ruled since 1994 Jammeh, also 51, has ruled the tiny West African nation since taking power in a military coup in 1994. He won four subsequent elections that critics said were neither free nor fair and supported a 2002 constitutional amendment that removed presidential term limits. He once said he could rule Gambia for "a billion years." Rights groups have often accused Jammeh of having political opponents and journalists either arrested or killed. Amnesty International said in a statement Friday that the new administration would have an obligation to "transform the human rights situation in Gambia, freeing political prisoners, removing repressive laws and entrenching newly found freedoms." Gambia is a former British colony that occupies a narrow sliver of land surrounded by French-speaking Senegal. About 880,000 Gambians were eligible to vote in Thursday's poll, which took place under a complete communications blackout, including social media platforms. The president, who had predicted he would win the vote, had said that no protests would be allowed after the election.
Catholic Church Apologizes Over Rwanda Genocide
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he Catholic Church in Rwanda apologized Sunday for the church's role in the 1994 genocide, in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred. The church said in a statement issued by the Conference of Catholic Bishops that it regretted the actions of those who participated in the massacre. "We apologize for all the wrongs the church committed. We apologize on behalf of all Christians for all forms of wrongs we committed. We regret that church members violated (their) oath of allegiance to God's commandments," the statement read, adding that church members planned, aided and executed the genocide. The church had so far not officially admitted the roles of its members in the deadly massacre — which was sparked by a contentious plane crash that killed the then-President JuvÊnal Habyarimana. The church's statement is seen as a positive development in Rwanda's efforts at reconciliation. "Forgive us for the crime of hate in the country to the extent of also hating our colleagues because of their ethnicity. We didn't show that
we are one family but instead killed each other," the statement said. Bishop Phillipe Rukamba, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Rwanda, said the statement was timed to coincide with the formal end Sunday of the Holy Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis to encourage greater reconciliation and forgiveness in his church and in the world. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, the executive secretary for the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, has welcomed the church's move. "That the whole clergy sat down and apologised together for the role played in the genocide is a positive move; it shows their position and makes it clear for some who questioned the church's position on genocide. We also ask that all church members who committed genocide come up and apologise, there are priests and nuns who were accused of genocide and we ask that they apologise too," he said.
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Minnesota Elects First Female Somali COMMUNITY NEWS American Lawmaker
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istory was made this week when a 34-year-old former refugee was elected to the Minnesota state legislature. The woman, Ilhan Omar, will become the country's first Somali-American lawmaker. Omar was the Minnesota DemocraticFarmer-Labor Party candidate for the
legislature in Minnesota's 60th district. She easily defeated her Republican opponent on Tuesday. Omar told supporters Tuesday night that her victory means a lot. "My success is not only for me but for every Somali, Muslim and minority, particularly the young girls in the Dadaab refugee camp where I lived before coming to the U.S.," she said. From Refugee to Representative As a girl, Omar fled her home in Somalia because of the country's civil war. She spent four years at the Dadaab Camp in Kenya, before moving to the United States with her family. She was 12 years old at the time. Her family first began their new life in Arlington, Virginia, and then settled in their current home in Minneapolis. Omar began her career as a community activist. She is currently director of policy at the Women Organizing Women Network. The group works with immigrant women, helping
them become engaged citizens and community leaders. Concerns about Trump Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somali refugees and immigrants in the United States. Many Somalis who spoke to VOA before the election said they were supporting Hillary Clinton for president because they felt that Donald Trump was anti-Somali. Earlier, Trump has said there are problems in Minnesota caused by poor vetting of refugees. He said there were large numbers of Somali refugees entering the state, and that this was unknown to state officials. He also said that some of the refugees had joined the Islamic State group. He accused them of spreading their extremist ideas “all over our country and all over the world.” Asha Ahmed, a Somali American, said "We are shocked that Trump is president, but we got relief that Ilhan will be representing us
at our state House of Representatives. For me, America is my country, it is where my future and dreams always depended on and the only home for my children... [Omar's] success means a lot to me and my family, three children and a husband." Jibril Mohamed, a lecturer at Ohio State University, expressed satisfaction at Omar's election to the Minnesota state legislature. "It is like an anti-pain relief for the Somalis, who voted against Trump because of Trump's anti-Somali rhetoric that continued even to the last days of the election campaign," he said. Ahmed Hirsi, Omar's husband, told VOA that the campaign was a long struggle for his family to witness this day. "It is a big historic day for us and Ilhan, a symbol and role model for many Somali refugee girls. It is a success that came through hard work and the support of our Minnesota people," he said.
NYC Commissioner of DCA Lorelei Salas interacts With Ghanaian Residents at Tracy Towers. Anny Osabutey, The Christian Journal
Commissioner Lorelei Salas talk to the Tracy Towers Residents
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he New York City Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs, Lorelei Salas, has cautioned the Ghanaian community to be careful of agents parading as immigration experts to ensure that their efforts to legalize their stay here in America do not go to waste. Ms. Salas said as much as people should try to regularize their stay, they should avoid expending human and material resources on fraudulent agents, whose goal is to make money at their expense. She therefore enjoined them to be cautious about the type of people they consult on immigration issues. The Commissioner made the comments at a meeting with Ghanaian residents at Tracy Towers, a huge residential complex near Jerome Avenue in North Bronx to discuss various issues pertaining to their welfare. Ms. Salas encouraged people who are not documented to make efforts to regularize their stay and at least secure State Identification Cards because with a change in government, there could
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Commissioner answers question with both Tenants and Community Presidents
be the possibility of implementing new rules, which may be unfavorable. The Commissioner also advised Green Card holders, who qualify for citizenship to put in their paper work and become citizens to be able to earn the benefits that come with it. “If you are not a citizen, you need to get your paperwork together because of the several benefits that go with citizenship,” she told them. Ms. Salas asked those without social security numbers to obtain Temporary Identification Numbers that can assist them to file their taxes, assuring them that her office was ready to assist in that direction. “You must take advantage of such interventions because the Mayor's Office is determined to make lives of New York residents better,” she stressed. On the safety of residents, the Commissioner told them that the Mayor's Office was working with the NYPD and other security agencies to keep the city safe and ensure that people go about their duties without fear or intimidation. Ms. Salas said
reduction of gun violence remains a top priority for the De Blasio administration and emphasized that nothing was being left to chance in stemming the tide. Touching on other issues, Ms. Salas mentioned identity theft, which she said, has become a social canker and advised them to limit their obsession with social media. According to her, the interactions she has had with many residents in the city since taking over her duties suggest that identity theft has become a social menace and advised them to be discreet about how they share their information on the internet. “Social media has several advantages, but be careful about how you dispense with your information because cyber criminals work non-stop, looking for opportunities to hack such information,” she pointed out. Ms. Salas answered questions pertaining to the welfare of the residents.
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church and ministry “Desist from Entering Marriages with a Two Way Ticket” – Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah Anny Osabutey, The Christian Journal – Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah, wife of Apostle Sam Korankye Ankrah, Founder and Presiding Head of the Royal House Chapel International, has asked Christian couples not to entertain the idea of entering marriages with a “two-way ticket” because it is not Godly. Mrs. Korankye Ankrah intimated that most marriages are breaking up because people consummate marriages with wrong intentions. She pointed out that most people often look at the easy way out in the marriage, hoping to “take flight” when tough times begin to surface and advised those yet to marry to disabuse their minds of such thoughts. Speaking at the end of a three-day “Latter Rain Conference” at the Royal House Chapel in New York, Mrs. Korankye Ankrah, who celebrated her thirtieth-year marriage anniversary, said she did not marry her husband with one eye on the door, because divorce, she thought, was dreadful and ungodly.
“she said. “ I went into the marriage because I know I was determined to make it happen, stay through thick and thin.” According to her, married couples should try as much as possible not to quarrel over money, because differences in how the account of the home is kept can wreck a beautiful relationship. Highlighting her points in bullet form, she said it was important for couples to be transparent in their finances so as to eliminate doubts and suspicions that might crop up.
Mrs. Ankrah told the congregation that in the thirty years of her marriage, she and her husband have never quarreled over money because they trust each other. She advised couples not to use their sojourn in America as a basis to argue over money because the tenets of marriage should be honored anywhere. Touching on the issue of respect, Mama Rita, as she is affectionately called, indicated that when couples lose the respect of each other, the marriage stands the risk of breaking apart and enjoined couples to show respect and “My parents have been married for more than affection for each other. “Too often,” she said, 40 years and I have been married for 30 years, “people marry because of some conditions
and when reality sets in, they struggle to and boring; you need someone you can appreciate themselves for who they are.” offload to. Appreciate it when the man is cracking a joke; appreciate it when the “A man’s number one need is respect. You woman is cracking a joke.” “I don’t have to can’t negotiate a man’s respect. It’s non- be thinking about how to form my words if I negotiable,” she said. “So right from the have to speak to my husband,” she said to a beginning I respected my husband. I became loud applause. born again through him. He is my mentor.” On children and how their presence could Directing her attention to the men, Mama Rita affect the marriage, Mama Rita said as said as heads of the house, they need to always children grow, take up responsibilities and show love and affection to their wives to leave the home, it is important for couples to create healthy relationships. “Any woman’s be friends and bond with each other to be able concern,” she said, “is the love and attention to cope with the day to day activities of the she needs from her husband.” “Because home. “Your children will leave you one day women go through a lot of changes especially but your spouse will be with you forever,” she after childbirth, it is important for men to be said. Mama Rita wrapped up her message by patient over petty misunderstandings in order reminding couples to engage each other in to create harmonious relationships.” meaningful and constructive conversations Mrs. Korankye Ankrah, whose speech was and to maintain the respect that exists often interjected with light jokes, also advised between the two. couples to be intimate with each other, share jokes and ease into the simple things essential One important highlight of the occasion was to the growth of their relationships. the official inauguration of the executives of “You don’t have to be too stiff with your Royal Ladies. spouses. Learn to tell a joke, learn to laugh at each other, that’s how you can grow together,” she stressed. “Life can be stressful
“Total Commitment to the Lord is the Key” - Rev. Nana Opoku The Christian Journal
T
he Head Pastor of Abundant Life Baptist Church in the Bronx, Reverend Samuel Nana Opoku, has asked Christians to examine their lives from time to time and change their attitudes if those attitudes negate the principles of godliness. Reverend Opoku said such changes reflect a renewal of our relationship and commitment to our Lord.
Rev. Nana Opoku
Preaching on the theme, “Sanctify Yourself for Tomorrow,” Reverend Opoku told the congregation that when the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land, the first generation died in the wilderness because of their disobedience, rebellion and sin.
Reverend Opoku said this calamity prompted a call for the consecration of the second generation in order not to repeat the mistakes of their ancestors. “It was a call to the second generation to throw away all past sins that got them stuck or wandered in the wilderness for forty years; it was a call to commit themselves fully to the Lord, just as it was a call to obedience and a reminder that apart from the Lord, there is no other god,” he stressed. Reverend Opoku told the congregation that if they expected to see God's hands on the church, they need to change their attitudes and live lives based on the Will of God. “We need total cleansing, commitment and obedience to
God's Will,” he pointed out. Referring to the Book of Joshua where the Lord told the people of Israel that they cannot stand before their enemies unless they “take away the accursed thing from among them” Reverend Opoku intimated that if the church wanted to leave a lasting legacy for posterity, they should obey God's call and 'remove any accursed thing from among them.' Reverend Opoku said because God is open to the blessing of the church, leaders and the general church body must do their part in ensuring that such blessings overflow to the glory of the Lord.
Rev. Dr. Amoo Darku tells Ghanaians in the U. S. “Don't Abandon Your Faith When You Relocate”
The Christian Journal
A
former Member of Ghana's Council of State, Reverend Dr. Nii Amoo Darku, has called on Ghanaians living abroad not to abandon their Christian faith, once they settle in their adopted countries. Speaking at the Annual Fundraising Program of the Abundant Life Baptist Church in the Bronx, Rev. Amoo Darku, who was the guest speaker, told the congregation, mostly Ghanaians, to take the right steps to ensure that their faith in God is not diminished by conditions existing in their adopted country. He reminded the congregation that their presence in America is not by chance, considering the difficulties people go through to get out of Ghana to pursue economic opportunities abroad and advised them to be ambassadors for God, as failing to abide by that calling amounts to betraying their faith. Referring to the increasing number of persons often denied entry to the US by the country's embassy in Accra, Rev. Amoo
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Darku said those who get the opportunity to travel abroad should not only count themselves lucky for the greener pastures that abound, but should also become bearers of God's work. He therefore advised them not to use their jobs as an excuse to stay away from the things of God, saying their only sacrifice to God is to worship Him. “We should bring His (God's) agenda to this nation and pursue it vigorously because that is what God wants us to do,” he told them. He advised the congregation to seek God while they still have the ability to do so because the days on earth are short, and no one is guaranteed an endless life on earth. “We are sojourners and our days on earth are like shadows,” he reiterated. Appealing for funds later in support of God's work, Rev. Darku reiterated that people should be willing to give without holding back because the work of God must be done and
doing so requires resources. He said so many people are 'living in the dark' without any exposure to God's Word and it requires a lot of human and material resources to be able to reach out to them. Rev. Amoo Darku said giving is an act of sacrifice and appealed to the congregation to see what God can do with what they give. He expressed concern at the attitude of those who come to church but deliberately refuse to offer any financial assistance towards God's work. He said there are those who think they can outwit God in their giving and hold back anytime they get the chance and this he said, amounts to the withholding of one's blessings. “You must give cheerfully, with love and without any reservation because God loves the cheerful giver,” he stressed.
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AFRICAN NEWS Chinese-funded railway Corruption cash 'took linking East Africa NIGERIA
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Near Africa's horn on the easternmost part of the continent, a shiny new electric railway runs alongside an old abandoned track through both arid desert and green highlands. Some 750 kilometres (466 miles) long, the $4 billion line opened in October and links landlocked Ethiopia to the coast in Djibouti. It was partly funded and built by Chinese companies, just like the other planned lines it could soon link up with neighboring Sudan and Kenya -- where the first part of a new $13 billion Kenyan railway linking Mombasa to Nairobi is taking shape. The sprawling network is planned to continue into South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, as part of transnational efforts to connect countries within East Africa. This could transform how goods and people move, and the increased number of lines is expected to boost trade in countries like Kenya, says Kuria Muchiru, advisory partner, East Africa, at PwC in Kenya. "Because we probably have about 4,000 trucks everyday making the trip up from Mombasa into Nairobi, and some go farther on," adds Muchiru. The ports are where the magic happens,
with 90% of African imports and exports conducted by sea which can be an issue for trade coming into landlocked countries. "The new lines will have access to the ports and be able to almost offload directly onto the train and then straight onto inland locations," Muchiru says. Billions in loans The new lines are part of the so-called LAPPSET rail project and the EAC Rail Sector Enhancement Project, also called the East African Railway Masterplan, and managed by the East Africa Community (EAC) -- an intergovernmental organization run by Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda -- together with consulting company CPCS. But railways don't come cheap, and African countries are borrowing heavily from China to scrape the funds together. In the 10-year period between 2004 and 2014, African countries borrowed nearly $10 billion for railway projects from China, facilitated by the China Export Import Bank (Exim), according to researchers by SAIS China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS-CARI).
10 days to count'
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bank manager has told how two aeroplanes full of banknotes were used in a cash exchange being investigated in a major Nigerian corruption case. The quantity of cash, totalling 1.2bn naira ($3.8m; £3m), was so great that it took 10 days to count it, Sunday Oluseye told the court in Abuja. His testimony forms part of a case linked to a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal. President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to tackle corruption. "I got worried when I saw the huge amount of money conveyed by the aircrafts that day," Mr Oluseye told the court, in comments reported by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a government anti-corruption body. He told the court that most of the
money was in 500 and 1,000 naira notes. The evidence was given as part of a money-laundering case brought by the EFCC against Abiodun Agbele, whom the body names as a close ally of the governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. The EFCC says the case is linked to a wider investigation into Nigeria's former national security adviser Sambo Dasuki, who has been charged for an alleged multimillion dollar fraud in which government funds earmarked to fight Boko Haram were stolen. Mr Dasuki and Mr Agbele both deny the charges. Corruption is endemic in Nigeria and so far the EFCC has only managed to secure a handful of convictions.
AFRICA
Fidel Castro, A True Friend of Africa
Nelson Mandel and Fidel Castro Fidel Castro’s death divides the world. Yet for many across the African continent, Castro’s the death is the loss of a true friend. Fidel Castro was a true hero for many countries in Africa. He supported African interests for many years. From Algeria to South Africa; he supported local independence and freedom movements across the continent. Castro’s track record in the continent leaves www.tcjonline.org
nothing to imagination. He sent thousands of Cuban troops to Angola and Algeria during their years of struggling for independence; he financed the African National Congress in South Africa as they fought against the brutal apartheid regime that shackled many black South Africans to second class citizenship in their own country; he trained Africans as doctors, lawyers and engineers in a time when regressive education systems could not afford them these opportunities, he offered a haven for the liberation leaders whose lives were threatened by their unforgiving oppressors. He was more than a friend in rhetoric, but a crucial partner who put his money and resources where his mouth was. His legacy will be fondly remembered across the continent for generations to come. Nothing highlights Castro’s importance to the African continent than his special relationship with Nelson Mandela and the ANC. While the U.S helped put Mandela to jail and together with other western powers supported the brutal apartheid regime for many years, it was Castro who offered financial, tactical and military support to black South Africans as they
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demanded respect and equality in their own country. No wonder Mandela would upon his release from imprisonment call Castro’s Cuba “a source of inspiration to all freedom-loving people”. As the world continues to be divided in its assessment of this singular figure; we can see the outpouring of emotions from many African leaders who truly understand that freedom as we know it today across the continent could not have been possible were it not for the interventions of Fidel Castro. While I cannot speak on behalf of the Cuban people who Castro’s regimes impacted even more directly and profoundly, I was taught in history classes that praised and idolized Fidel Castro for his central role in the struggle for liberation in Africa. Let us today in the words of Nelson Mandela “recognize our great debt to the Cuban people and its leader”. No other country but Cuba and no other leader but Fidel Castro has such a history of selfless behavior for the people of Africa.
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Trump appoints Nigerian to strategic Policy board The United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has named a Nigerian investment banker, Bayo Ogunlesi, to serve as a strategist on his economic policy team. According to Cable Network News, CNN, Ogunlesi is to serve in the 16-member group to be led by Stephen Schwarzman of the American equity firm, Blackstone. Image result for Trump appoints Nigerian to strategic policy board Ogunlesi, a private equity tycoon, came into international limelight in 2010 for his acquisition of Gatwick International Airport in London. The deal was worth about $2 billion. He is going to serve as a member of the board, which also included CEOs of
community news CNN General Motors and IBM. The group will have a direct line to Trump and be tasked with giving the president-elect nonpartisan views on how government policy impacts the economy and jobs. The forum is to hold its first meeting during the first week of February at the White House. Ogunlesi, 63, is the co-founder and chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, an investment firm with a primary interest in infrastructure and real estate development. He is the first Nigerian to be appointed by Trump. His appointment came a year after President Barack Obama named Adewale Adeyemo as his Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics.
Ghanaian doctor honoured in the US
D
r George Cleland, a US-trained Ghanaian medical practitioner, based in Athens, Georgia, has been presented with the Elbertonian Award by the National Association of Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), Elbert County branch, a national umbrella association for African Americans in the USA. At a ceremony in Athens, Mr John Clark, the President of NAACP, congratulated Dr Cleland for his exemplary service in the medical
profession and for providing exceptional medical care to patients in North East Georgia. Dr Cleland was educated at the Ghanata College at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, where he obtained his O’Level and then proceeded to Sekondi College for his ‘A’ levels’. He left Ghana for the USA in 1979 to pursue further studies at the University of Georgia, Athens, leading to degrees in Human Nutrition and Metabolism.
He then gained admission to the Medical College of Georgia-Augusta where he successfully completed his medical course. He has since practised General Internal Medicine in Elberton and Athens. Dr Cleland’s medical clinic is affiliated to the Athens Regional Medical Centre and the St Mary’s Healthcare System, both in Athens.
Young Ghanaian innovator to receive special Award from Queen of England
Business and Financial Times
lives of young people especially the girl child. Winnifred who has been a social entrepreneur since age 15 co-founded the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative and serve as the President of the EPF Educational Empowerment Initiative a non-profit that has helped break cycles of poverty for girls. She does this through the SHE Scholarship Fund that provides educational scholarships, mentoring and psychosocial support for needy girls from families that are financially challenged by diverse circumstances. Her organization makes eco-responsible sanitary pads to keep girls in school and curb the high rates of menstruation-related absenteeism among adolescent girls from deprived communities in Ghana.
Winnifred Kyei Selby
G
hanaian social entrepreneur and girl-child activist, Winnifred Kyei Selby, has been selected for the Queen's Young Leaders award in recognition of her outstanding work in transforming the
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"It is an honor to be selected as a Queen's Young Leader and represent Ghana, and I believe this prestigious award will help me to empower more young girls. She promised to undertake more girl child empowerment initiatives by introducing after school club activities with the existing girl-child clubs and teach them how to operate a smart phone and use the internet. Winnifred will be felicitated with the award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (II), at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in June next year, over the course of a
week-long residential programme in the United Kingdom. The winners will also undergo a year-long mentoring and online learning by the University of Cambridge to build leadership capabilities and better their work towards the communities. Established in 2014, the award is presented by Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to recognize young people from across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth who are "taking the lead in transforming the lives of others and making a lasting difference in their communities.” Winnifred was also named winner of the 2016 New African Woman in Science, Technology & Innovation award and was recently featured in Forbes as one of the social entrepreneurs in Africa to watch in 2015. She was also adjudged as the 'Student of the Year 2016 and Most Influential Student in Engineering at the recent Ghana Tertiary Awards organized by United Merchant Bank. She sits on the boards of the Dawadawa Impact Investment Fund and the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, an initiative she co-founded at a young age.
age.
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Hope is Here!
before one's mind the old song of the waits, and the midnight peal of bells, the holly and the blazing log. I love it for its place in that most tender of all parables, where it is written, that, when the long-lost prodigal returned to his father safe and sound, they began to be merry.
By Dr. Steve Danso It's hard to imagine that Christmas has caught up with us once again. We stepped into 2016 thinking of December as a long shot, but we were dead wrong. Step by step, pace by pace, the days rolled by and just like that, December is here. Aren't we blessed to see this time of the year? Yes, we are. God is so good! The month of December is not an ordinary month on the Christian calendar. It stirs memories of some expectations; the joy, peace and assurance that follow its trail and the hope that keeps us going. As usual, anxiety is growing as people begin preparations to honor the occasion and receive the most gracious gift of all time. Ladies and gentlemen, it's Christmas time, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior! Let's see how Matthew captures the good news: “But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you shall give Him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). In the year 1864, renowned British preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon, popularly referred to as the “Prince of Preachers,” delivered a Christmas message titled “Mary's Song” based on Luke 1:4647 and in it he said: “Some Christians, who are a little squeamish, do not like the word “merry.” It is a right good old Saxon word, having the joy of childhood and the mirth of manhood in it; it brings
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“This is the season when we are expected to be happy; and my heart's desire is, that in the highest and best sense, you who are believers may be “merry.” Mary's heart was merry within her; but here was the mark of her joy, it was all holy merriment, it was every drop of it sacred mirth. It was not such merriment as worldlings will revel in to-day and to-morrow, but such merriment as the angels have around the throne, where they sing, “Glory to God in the highest,” while we sing “On earth peace, goodwill towards men.” Such merry hearts have a continual feast. I want you, ye children of the bride-chamber, to possess today and to-morrow, yea, all your days, the high and consecrated bliss of Mary, that you may not only read her words, but use them for yourselves, ever experiencing their meaning: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” “Observe, this period, the sacred joy of Mary that you may imitate it. This is a season when all men expect us to be joyous. We complement each other with the desire that we may have a “Merry Christmas.” The gist of Reverend Spurgeon's message is that hope is here and there is reason to be merry. Christians all over the world look forward to this period because of the fundamental truth it presents; that light overcame the darkness of the world when Jesus Christ was born! The shepherds who received the good news couldn't be happier. Far beyond their imaginations, there were tending to their flocks through the long night on the Judean hillsides outside Bethlehem when they suddenly found themselves face to face with an Angel of the Lord as the glory of the Lord shone around them. Very terrified, they were perhaps planning an escape route when the Angel assured them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,
FILLING UP who is Christ the Lord.” Luke continues, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” During World War 11, six pilots took off from an aircraft carrier in the North Atlantic on reconnaissance mission. While they were gone, the ship lost power and total darkness befell the huge carrier. The captain of the carrier was therefore compelled to issue a blackout alarm. When the pilots tried to return from their mission, they could not find the ship. They radioed, “Give us some light, we are coming home,” and the ship's radio operator replied, “Order: blackout. I cannot give you light.” In turn, each pilot desperately radioed the same message: “Just give me some light and I'll make it.” Each time, the operator had to radio back, “No light – blackout!” Unable to land because there was no light on that ship, the pilots ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea, sending them to their graves in the icy North Atlantic. That's the danger darkness portends. The great news is that light is coming! We live in a dark world that desperately needs light for guidance and direction and the birth of Jesus Christ offers that hope for mankind. Christ is the hope of the world, and our personal lives must reflect that hope and trust we have in Him. Faith may reel, the burden may seem unbearable and darkness unendurable, but God should remain our hope. Because of His unconditional love, 'He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him must not perish, but has everlasting life.' Yes, hope is here. Keep a cheerful mood during the celebrations as you sing along: O Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and triumphant ,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem, Come and behold Him ,Born the King of Angels, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord. Dr. Steve Danso is a Pastor at Immaculate Pentecostal Church of Christ You can email him at steve@tcjonline.org
Page 19
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Habits You Need in Your 20s
I
f you had just one piece of health advice for people in their 20s, what would it be?
That's the question we posed to a number of experts in nutrition, obesity, cardiology and other health disciplines. While most 20-year-olds don't worry much about their health, studies show the lifestyle and health decisions we make during our third decade of life have a dramatic effect on how well we age. Staying healthy in your 20s is strongly associated with a lower risk for heart disease in middle age, according to research from Northwestern University. That study showed that most people who adopted five healthy habits in their 20s – a lean body mass index, moderate alcohol consumption, no smoking, a healthy diet and regular physical activity – stayed healthy well into middle age. And a disproportionate amount of the weight we gain in life is accumulated in our 20s, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The average woman in the United States weighs about 150 when she's 19, but by the time she's 29, she weighs 162 pounds – that's a gain of 12 pounds. An average 19-year-old man weighs 175 pounds, but by the time he hits 29 he is nine pounds heavier, weighing in at 184 pounds. But it can be especially difficult for a young adult to focus on health. Young people often spend long hours at work, which can make it tough to exercise and eat well. They face job pressure, romantic challenges, money problems and family stress. Who has time to think about long-term health? To make it easier, we asked our panel of experts for just one simple piece of health advice. We skipped the obvious choices like no smoking or illegal drug use – you know that already. Instead we asked them for simple strategies to help a 20-something get on the path to better health. Here's what they had to say. Weigh yourself often. Buy a bathroom scale or use one at the gym and weigh yourself regularly. There is nothing more harmful to long-
term health than carrying excess pounds, and weight tends to creep up starting in the 20s. It is pretty easy for most people to get rid of three to five pounds and much harder to get rid of 20. If you keep an eye on your weight you can catch it quickly. Learn to cook. Learning to cook will save you money and help you to eat healthy. Your focus should be on tasty ways to add variety to your diet and to boost intake of veggies and fruits and other nutrient-rich ingredients. As you experiment with herbs and spices and new cooking techniques, you will find that you can cut down on the unhealthy fats, sugar and salt, as well as the excess calories found in many prepared convenience foods. Your goal should be to develop a nutritious and enjoyable eating pattern that is sustainable and that will help you not only to be well, but also to manage your weight. Cut back on sugar. I suggest that young people try to avoid excessive simple sugar by eliminating the most common sources of consumption: 1) sugared soft drinks 2) breakfast cereals with added sugar and 3) adding table sugar to foods. Excessive sugar intake has been linked to obesity and diabetes, both of which contribute to heart disease. Sugar represents “empty calories” with none of the important nutrients needed in a balanced diet. Conversely, the traditional dietary villains, fat, particularly saturated fat, and salt, have undergone re-examination by many thoughtful nutrition experts. In both cases, the available scientific evidence does not clearly show a link to heart disease. Live an active life. While many people can't find time for a scheduled exercise routine, that doesn't mean you can't find time to be active. Build physical activity into your daily life. Find a way to get 20 or 30 minutes of activity each day, including riding a bike or briskly walking to work. Eat your veggies. Nutrition science is complicated and debated endlessly,
HEALTH
but the basics are well established: Eat plenty of plant foods, go easy on junk foods, and stay active. The trick is to enjoy your meals, but not to eat too much or too often. Practice portion control. My tip would be to not to ban entire food groups but to practice portion control. Portion control doesn't mean tiny portions of all foods - quite the opposite. It's okay to eat larger portions of healthy foods like vegetables and fruit. No one got fat from eating carrots or bananas. Choose smaller portions of unhealthy foods such as sweets, alcohol and processed foods. When eating out, let your hand be your guide. A serving of protein like chicken or fish should be the size of your palm. (Think 1-2 palms of protein.) A serving of starch, preferably a whole grain such as brown rice or quinoa should be the size of your fist. Limit high-fat condiments like salad dressing to a few tablespoons – a tablespoon is about the size of your thumb tip. Adopt a post-party exercise routine. If you engage in a lot of drinking and snacking, ensure you exercise a lot to offset all those extra calories from Friday to Sunday that come with extra drinking and eating. We found in a study that on Friday through Sunday young adults consumed about 115 more calories than on other days, mainly from fat and alcohol Find a job you love. Ohio State University research found that work life in your 20s can affect your midlife mental health. People who are less happy in their jobs are more likely to report depression, stress and sleep problems and have lower overall mental health scores. If I can give just one piece of health advice for 20-year-olds, I would suggest finding a job they feel passionate about. This passion can keep them motivated, help them find meaning in life, and increase expectations about their future. That in turn will make them more engaged in life and healthier behaviors, which will have long term benefits for their well-being.
Germany wants a “Marshall plan” to Immigration Keep African migrants at home
T
he United States helped to rebuild Europe after World War Two. Germany's development minister wants a similar initiative to kick-start African development. A study by the Club of Rome think tank and the Senate of the Economy (Senat der Wirtschaft) business network is calling for a 120 billion euro ($130 billion) stimulus package from Germany to increase economic growth in Africa, generate wealth for the continent's growing population and create jobs for its youth. "Germany is currently only spending 2 euros per head in Africa on development issues," said Franz Josef Radermacher, president of the Senate of the Economy, while presenting the joint study to German Minister of Eonomic Cooperation and Development, Gerd Müller in Berlin on Friday. "That means that we have to dramatically increase the financial resources we're spending," Radermacher said. The study proposes that a share of the funds required could be raised on capital markets, with the German government providing guarantees for investors. Other European countries would top up Germany's 120 billion euro capital injection, the study suggests. "The funds could kick-start the production of wealth on the
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continent if we use the funds wisely, especially for the development of infrastructure and the industrial sector," added Radermacher, who coordinated the study. The study notes Africa's enormous potential in areas such as agriculture and renewable energy. It calls for the construction of solar power stations in Africa which would not only create jobs, but also solve the continent's persistent power problems. The study also recommendsthe extension of humanitarian programs for refugees and internal displaced persons. Germany's development minister Gerd Müller has repeatedly touted the idea of a Marshall plan to reduce Africa's dramatic poverty levels. The original Marshall plan, a United States' initiative to rebuild Europe's shattered economies after World War II, included loans, grants and other assistance worth $14 billion. Fighting poverty in Africa with an initiative similar to the Marshall plan was more than just a moral obligation, the German development said at the presentation of the study. 'No new neocolonialism' "We have to invest in these countries, we have to give people perspectives. Otherwise we won't just have hundreds of thousands but millions of people fleeing their
countries in a few decades," he said. Müller insisted that the plan would not be yet another Western development initiative which ignored Africa's needs and interests, a criticism often levelled against Western development programs by both African and European experts. "It's about strengthening and developing Africa's own potential. It's not about us going to Africa with our plans and our finances and saying that's how it has got to be done. There will be no new neocolonialism, Müller said. While Germany's government would work on new mechanisms to safeguard investment in Africa countries, African countries would have to contribute by improving the climate for investment, promoting good governance and fighting corruption, Müller said. "African countries must ensure reliability and uphold the principle of legal certainty," Müller said. Is the plan going to become reality? Despite the minister's promise to present his vision for a Marshall plan for Africa in the near future, it is unclear whether the plan will ever materialize.
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