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Vol 13 Issue 5
May 2021
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Comedian Michael Blackson Considering Running For President Of Ghana
From the Editor
O u r G r eates t G lor y is n ot in n ever f a llin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll . We a r e co mmittted to b r in gin g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ias p or a . Yo u ma y als o vis it o u r web s ite a t www. af r ikan pos t. co m f o r d aily n ews u pd a tes o n Af r ica. D is cla imer : Th e o p in io n s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles an d s tor ies in th is N ews pa per a r e th os e o f th e a u th o r s an d do n o t n eces s a r ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Pos t . All commen ts a n d s u gg es tio n s ar e welco me.
George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor
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Call 703- 725- 6968 or E-mail: editor@afrikanpost.com Address: Bright House Productions 6236 Oscar Court Woodbridge VA 22193 D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 13 Issue 5
CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Meet Benita Biney, The 11-Year-Old Projecting Ghana Through Cultural Dance Pg. 14
Akwasi Frimpong, Ghana’s First Skeleton Athlete, Offers Nfts To Raise Funds To Compete In The 2022 Winter Olympics Pg. 23 United Airlines Launches Direct Flights From Washington to Ghana Page 21 Meet the Kyode People of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast Pg. 11
World’s Black Billionaires In 2021 – Forbes Pg. 9
Orphaned At 11, This Kenyan Genius Turned Down Harvard And Became A Millionaire At 19 Pg. 4
Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson has taken to social media to express his interest in vying for the highest seat of office in his home country provided he receives the necessary support.
platform.
“I’m so confused with what’s going on in west Africa, if the average income is $100$200 a month why aren’t there affordable homes with mortgages ranging from $25Blackson’s announcement to run for president $50 a month?,” he asked in one of his of Ghana in the 2024 elections comes in the tweets. wake of the #FixTheCountry campaign that was started by Ghanaians on social media to “Houses in Ghana costs more than Atlanta but average income is less than what a highlight grievances including bad governance and economic hardships in the country. crackhead gets on the street,” Blackson In a Twitter post on Saturday, Blackson, who added. has spent the last couple of months in Ghana, said he’s willing to put his house in order to In another tweet, the Meet the Blacks actor run for the presidency, adding that he’s seri- wrote: “The richest people in Africa are the government officials but in America I ous about it. know b****es on only fans that makes “I’m going to clean up my act and run for president of Ghana in 4 yrs,” the 48-year-old way more than Joe Biden.” tweeted. “No joke I’m too passionate about And though Blackson admitted he “hates” my people. Who will vote for me? Let me taxes, he said he thinks Africa “needs a tax know now so I won’t waste my time.” system so that money can help the less forOver the last few weeks, the Coming 2 tunate.” America actor has taken to social media to weigh in on African politics and the standard Time will tell if Blackson is really serious of living on the continent. In a series of about running for president in his home tweets on May 3, the comedian expressed his worries over the high cost of living in Ghana country. In the meantime, take a look at some reactions to his unofficial “presidenas well as the lack of affordable housing in West Africa. This spurred him to also create a tial announcement” below: #FixAfrica campaign on the social media https://face2faceafrica.com/
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Afrikan Post
Orphaned At 11, This Kenyan Genius Turned Down Harvard And Became A Millionaire At 19
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in the RC (Republic of the Congo). That was something that I can say is the biggest achievement, in terms of where the company is today,” Muyika spoke about Hype Century’s success.
After relinquishing his stake in Hype Century, he launched a new venture called Zagace. It is an online business management toolkit for small and medium-sized companies. It has Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) capabilities, enabling its users to manage their inventory, accounting, human resources, and communications through a series of integrated apps.
Mubarak Muyika grew up with his aunt following the demise of his parents when he was only 11 years old. His dad was a civil servant who died when he was two years old while his mom was a high school teacher who passed away when was 11. In high school, Muyika developed a passion for technology. While a student at Friends School Kamusinga, he won two awards in Kenya’s national science fair, the annual Kenya Students Congress on Science and Technology.
At age 16, Muyika ventured into entrepreneurship, focusing on technology. His first creation was “enhanced petrol tracker,” a tracking database to monitor mismanagement of oil resources by tracking oil tanker movement, oil flow and demand, according to Africa Middle East. His creation was well received and was duly recognized as the best student in the computer exhibit category at the annual Kenya Students Congress on Science and Technology.
He was spotted by one of Kenya’s richest men, Chris Kirubi, and offered a scholarship to study at Harvard, an offer he surprisingly turned town because he wanted to continue
with his entrepreneurship drive.
He also built a functional website for a book publishing and distribution company owned by his guardians. He later taught himself PHP, Java and HTML which helped him to design an interactive website for the business.
In 2011, Muyika founded his own company known as Hype Century Technologies & Investments Ltd. The startup offered services such as web designing and web hosting in East Africa with a market focus on Small to Medium size businesses. In the following year, Muyika received the Anzisha Prize for young entrepreneurs for his work in Hype Century. The success of his startup began attracting the attention of international investors. One of such investors was Jignesh Patel, who invested in his growing business with a 25% stake. In 2013, Muyika sold his 60 percent stake in the company in a deal that made him a millionaire at only 19. By the time he left the company in May, it had 14 employees handling about 1,800 domains. “By May after our first financial year, we had about 1,800 domains which represented clients in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and some
In 2015, Muyika was featured on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 as one of the most promising young entrepreneurs from Africa. ‘‘Mr Muyika is enterprising and focused, I recommended him to Havard University but noticed that entrepreneurship came first and he had no obligation to pursue the course,” said Kenyan businessman Kirubi.
May 2021
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Transforming The African Insurance Sector Through Digital Innovations
Afrikan Post
Innovation through technology has been a major driver of transformation in financial sectors across the world.
In the last couple of decades, technology has been transforming the African insurance industry albeit at a slower pace compared to other industries such as banking and retail.
Within the insurance industry, the transformation has been prevalent, mainly in internal process automation to drive efficiencies with significant bearing on customer experience.
Technology adoption rates by both insurers and consumers in the insurance industry are notably slow globally. Although many African insurance businesses have been riding on the transformational wave propelled by digitisation, their participation has so far fallen short of meaningful business transaction processing. Tech challenges
Besides regulatory constraints that sometimes hamstring industry players, several factors account for their challenges in adopting technology.
The industry has a notoriety for being conservative, often dragging its feet towards newer technologies. This is more of a cultural impediment as it varies from one insurer to another. Oftentimes, it is difficult to get a clear sense of return on investment from the onset when the business case is being developed.
Mr Seyram Akotey, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Group
Legacy systems in the insurance industry can also be an impediment to the adoption of newer technologies. For example, a legacy technology unable to integrate with third party systems via Application Programming Interface (APIs) or one which consumes third party micro services will impede the organisation’s ability to bolt on other systems to address market needs speedily. Many players in the African banking industry have adopted a carrot and stick approach to motivate customers to adopt digital solutions. Leveraging digitisation
The insurance industry largely expects its consumers to automatically adopt its digital solutions just because they are made available and advertised a few times.
order to remain relevant to the current generation of customers who, more than ever before, have ready access to information to help them more easily choose among providers.
Tailored products and services that can be distributed via digital channels present a considerable growth path. It is up to insurers on this continent to take advantage of this opportunity. Traditionally, insurers turn to use physical presence and foot soldiers (sales agents) to distribute products.
The high cost associated with physical distribution has meant that many parts of the continent are left unattended despite their need insurance (local economies driven by agribusiness, rural families with single breadwinners etc.).
However, against this backdrop we see steady internet penetration, especially via mobile handsets with more and more Africans engaged on social media platforms. We are also seeing rapid growth in digital payments solutions, especially mobile money.
This, coupled with the fact that majority of insurance consumers are often outside the millennials bracket – an older generation not well known for its voluntary adoption of new technologies –, means that end-user adoption of digital solutions in the industry is relatively low. These present opportunities for insurers to deploy digital technologies to reach as much of the population as possible with The gap that needs to be closed is leveraging digitisation to products and services tailored to the needs and local realities of meet customer expectations. Insurance business is predomi- the continent. nantly an information processing business which thrives on trust and commendable customer experience amongst othEven more comforting is the fact that digital technologies proers. vide less costly opportunities for up-close marketing communi-
Today’s customers subliminally benchmark their service experience against what they encounter across industries. This difficulty leads to weak executive support for investment and For example, customers expect the same kind of digital subsequently slows down technology adoption. Leading insurers experience they enjoy in banking to be provided by insurexhibit a culture of audacity in technology investment. They dare to ers. invest to carry out experiments to learn and subsequently carry on investing to build game-changing solutions – they persevere until This is also affecting the insurance industry in very signifithey realise appreciable benefits for the business and carry on cant ways, in that it is driving many providers to fight off building some more. conservatism to engage customers via digital platforms. Insurers recognise that they must digitally transform in
cation channels by which insurers can reach segmented audiences with relevant education to drive understanding and appreciation of risk mitigation using insurance products.
Among the plethora of technologies available, insurers must place emphasis on the use of emerged technologies such as advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, among others, if they are to realise the full benefit of digitisation.
Written by Seyram Akotey
“I was one busy creative before COVID19, now thanks to the pandemic I have discovered more of me” — Orthan Core reveals May 2021
Again TheAfricanDream.net weighs the impact of COVID-19 on the life and art of an artist. Coming out of a pandemic that almost knocked the world out, government institutions, as well as private organizations and individuals. We are analyzing the effect of the Coronavirus on humans and their activities. And today artists the artist under our covidscope is new and emerging act Orthan Core.
The professional musician, certified chef, yoga instructor, and social worker, Orthan Cardain Cory Gohagen, also known in the music arena as Orthan Core shared his story and insights with us. We hope it resonates with some of you.
work more with “brothers and sisters (musicians) from the African continent,” explaining to TheAfricanDream.net that “I am open to anyone who also creates music that Orthan went through a British schooling sys- speaks the language of nature, so if I should choose artist/s that can help me realize this dream then they tem from preschool to community College would include Tracy Chapman, Alecia keys and Africa’s level. Aside from his rich education, life has also taught him valuable lessons. So it was no own Akon and Burna Boy of Senegal and Nigeria respecwonder when he said to TheAfricanDream.net tively.” that his musical inspiration is derived from life in general, specifically the everyday expe- “I am inspired by all the elements of life so it is a fusion of all these elements that form the tapestry of my musical riences of people. “The endless possibilities fabric,” the artist said in response to what sets him apart that I see daily in humanity, for example, the from others. “I am so used to creating music that I someunification of Africans and the blood of my times flow by following the rhythm and tempo of my ancestors eternally inspire me,” he said. heart too.” Orthan Core revealed. Tracy Chapman, Lucky Dube, Sam Cook, The music he makes is truly organic. Occasionally when Burna Boy and Akon are a few of the musicians that bear a heavy influence on the work he is given a computerized beat, the spirit in the song still finds a way to come alive on top of the beat… Most proof Orthan who admitted that the list was found in all this is the message that transcends the mental indeed endless in truth, but these are among and social boundaries. It uniquely speaks to all, in a way the few he could quickly share. that lets the mother of identical twins still tell her children apart. The artists at the core of Orthan’s wishlist “Some of the people I have worked with so “I was one busy creative before COVID19, now thanks to far are a long list of super talented acts who the pandemic I have discovered more of me“ are not known in the mainstream world of music, however, they have been making great Orthan Core took a deep breath before responding when we asked how COVID19 had changed things for him and contributions behind the scenes. A few are what it has also taught him. He solemnly told us that the Shaquille Forbes (percussionist from pandemic gave him more time to heal and connect deeply Ragamuffin Koffe band), Nigel Asher, and to himself, explaining that “before it (COVID19) started I other great music makers living in Hamburg, was someone always busy creating new art.” Germany. I did a small project with the Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter Lila Ike “I am thankful for the power of music and how being a and have also been blessed to work with creative provides me both a great escape and freedom. On Savana from the Indi collective and a lot of the other hand, though, it saddens me sometimes to see great people.” how much people are taken over by the fear of COVID19. This to me revealed that we are more socially and spirituOrthan Core added that he would love to
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ally disconnected as humans than we have ever been. With that, I also see it as a part of the process some of us must go through before we can realize the true values of life — I guess sometimes for the very good to happen, the very bad must precede it,” said a philosophical Orthan who has a spiritual reggae vibe to his flow.
In confinements of quarantine, he has been cooking his first album titled ‘Jungle Treatment‘, which he is expected to serve hot in September 2021. He has however served his fans and music lovers a sweet bite of the album already. To that, the music maker revealed he has released visuals of ‘Mother Earth‘ this April, a single from the Jungle Treatment album.
The rich music video of Mother Earth was shot in Amsterdam. He explained that the message that the video and the song brought is simple and raw awareness to mankind. “It instructs humanity to pay attention to the wrongs and the unhealthy way of living,” Orthan Core said about the video which he used to advocate that it was time humans started to be good humans even to themselves, even amidst a pandemic. There is more Orthan Core information available on his official weblink http://smarturl.it/gpsn06 but he loves interacting directly, so also reach him via his email address orthancoremusic@gmail.com and yes he replies, that’s how we first connected with him… Watch Mother Earth video: https://youtu.be/NNULTGpkYiA
Written by Oral Ofori
+1202.706.9881 contact@oralofori.com
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Here Are The World’s Black Billionaires In 2021 – Forbes
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Morehouse College graduating class, Blavity previously reported.
Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.2 Billion Abdulsamad Rabiu racked up his billion-dollar net worth as the founder of BUA Group — a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, sugar refining and real estate. Last year he combined his two large cement companies, Obu Cement and Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria, to continue building his business empire.
From media and entertainment to private equity and investments, Black billionaires are proof that despite the odds we can achieve true financial freedom.
This year, Forbes released its 2021 Billionaires list with a record-breaking number of 2,755 billionaires making the cut — a jump of 660 from its list published one year ago.
Even across age, geographic locations, industries and race, today’s incredible Black businessmen and women are still showing that it’s possible to overcome obstacles and join one of the most esteemed populations in the world. Of the many billionaires on the list, here are the world’s Black billionaires in 2021 who represent amongst the richest group worldwide.
Jay-Z – $1.4 Billion Jay-Z broke the glass ceiling for Hip Hop as the culture’s first billionaire, but his fortune continues to grow on account of his many business endeavors. As AfroTech previously reported, much of his wealth stems from sales from Roc Nation, Armand de Brignac, his D’Usse cognac, music royalties, art collection, real estate ventures and investments from startups like Ethos and Sweetgreen.
Kanye West – $1.8 Billion Although Kanye West was the second Hip Hop artist to achieve billionaire status, he surpassed Jay-Z with a $1.8 billion fortune. According to our previous report, most of his net worth stems from his 100% stake in the Yeezy brand, which is tied to adidas, while the rest of his money is generated from his many investments, ranches in
Wyoming, G.O.O.D Music record label, publishing rights and his own music catalog. Tyler Perry – $1 Billion Actor, writer, producer, playwright, director and all-around creator Tyler Perry came a long way from his humble beginnings. For over the past two decades, Perry went from an aspiring Hollywood star to one of the richest men in the industry on account of his 30 movies, 20 plays, and eight TV shows that continue to roll out, which we reported on earlier this year. Not to mention, his very Black-owned 330-acre studio lot is the largest in the country.
Oprah Winfrey – $2.7 Billion Media mogul Oprah Winfrey began her career as news anchor and today is considered the most beloved media giants in the industry, with an empire of her own television network and a content creation deal with Apple TV+, INSIDER reports. Her great fortune also stems from several films that she’s starred in, including “The Color Purple,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Selma” and many more. Michael Jordan – $1.6 Billion Michael Jordan is regarded as the NBA’s greatest all-time player and has reached astronomical heights during his time in the league. Since retiring, he has dedicated his time to building up his billion-dollar fortune as one of the richest former professional athletes. He joined the billionaire club in 2014 after increasing his ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets, according to Sporting News, and has remained on Forbes’ billionaire list for the past five years.
Robert F. Smith – $6 Billion Billionaire Robert F. Smith is well known as a tech investor and philanthropist who founded and also serves as CEO of Vista Equity Partners — which focuses exclusively on investing in software companies. He made headlines back in May 2019 for paying off the student debt of the entire
Michael Lee-Chin – $1.5 Billion Jamaican-Canadian businessman and philanthropist Michael LeeChin made his billion-dollar fortune by investing in financial companies like National Commercial Bank Jamaica and AIC Limited. He first made Forbes’ billionaires list back in 2010 and has appeared consecutively for the last four years.
Patrice Motsepe – $3.1 Billion South African founder and chairman Patrice Motsepe of African Rainbow Minerals became a billionaire in 2008 as the first African to make it onto the Forbes billionaire list. Most recently he became the continent’s new president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), making him a certified soccer boss, according to Forbes. Strive Masiyiwa – $1.5 Billion Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa’s fortune was by no means an easy feat to accomplish. In order to reach billionaire status, he had to overcome a protracted government opposition to launch his mobile phone network, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, in his birth country back in 1998. He’s been featured on Forbes and Africa’s billionaire list since 2019, and even serves on Netflix’s board of directors.
David Steward – $3.7 Billion David Steward, founder and chairman of IT provider World Wide Technology — the largest Black-owned company in America — is not your typical tech company founder. According to TIME, is background as a salesman and encouragement from his father have both contributed to his entrepreneurial success. Mike Adenuga – $6.2 Billion Mike Adenuga became Nigeria’s second richest man by building his fortune through his telecom company, Globacom, and oil production, as well as exploring business interests across several sectors of the economy and various parts of Africa.
Aliko Dangote – $11.4 Billion Aliko Dangote is considered the richest Black man in the world as the founder and chairman of Dangote Cement, the continent’s largest cement producer and one of the largest private-sector employers in Nigeria. Part of his business empire was built from a $3,000 loan from his uncle used to import and sell agricultural commodities in Nigeria. Source: https://howafrica.com/
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Plans Under Way to Exhume, Rebury Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe has been fined five cattle and two goats for violating traditional customs and rites following the burial of her husband, the late former president Robert Mugabe, at the family's rural home. Grace Mugabe was summoned to appear before Chief Zvimba's traditional court in Zvimba but snubbed the hearing.
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vigorous attempts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration to have him interred at the National Heroes Acre in Harare where many nationalists are buried. "Suggestions to exhume Mugabe's remains for reburial were shocking," said Dominic Matibiri, a relative of the Mugabes, who was barred by police from joining proceedings. Source :https://allafrica.com/
Zimbabwe: Grace Mugabe Fined 5 Beasts, 2 Goats for Violating Mugabe's Burial Rites Mugabe died in September 2019 and was buried at Kutama, his rural home, despite
By James Muonwa Zvimba — Former First Lady, Grace Mugabe has been fined five cattle and two goats for violating traditional customs and rites following the burial of her husband, the late ex-president Robert Mugabe at the family rural home's courtyard.
Grace was summoned to appear before Chief Zvimba's traditional court Thursday at Gonzo Guzha Hall at Murombedzi growth point in Zvimba but snubbed the hearing.
Mugabe died in September 2019 and was buried at Kutama, his rural home despite vigorous attempts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration to have him interred at the National Heroes Acres in Harare where a lot of other nationalists are buried.
Grace, who according to media reports is in Singapore, was also facing charges of disregarding earlier counsel to lay to rest the late former president at a designated site where his late mother had identified prior to her passing. As early as 8 am Thursday, the court venue, Gonzo Guzha Hall, was teeming with state security personnel, who included armed police officers, police intelligence members, and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives. The hostile security details chased away journalists saying they were working on instruc-
tions from "higher authority" to bar anyone not authorised by Paramount Chief Zvimba, born Stanley Urayayi Mhondoro from attending the court hearing. Journalists were ordered to stay 100 metres away from the venue.
Although the start of the hearing was scheduled for 9:30 am, proceedings only commenced at around 11 am as the local chiefs' council allowed Grace time to pitch up, which never happened. Sources who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said only 15 people, including four chiefs, were allowed into the court.
The court sat until around 3 pm before the traditional leaders emerged from the derelict hall, hopped into their top-of-the-range vehicles before driving off under police guard.
Source :https://allafrica.com/
Meet the Kyode People of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast May 2 0 2 1
Kyode People also known as Atwode, Akyode, Ayodele, Gbenga, and Grobbee People can be found in the Northern Volta basin of Ghana, Northern Burkina Faso, and Northern Ivory Coast. Kyode are part of the Guan ethnic group of West Africa and they are related to Chumburung, Dwang, Foodo, Ginyanga, Gonja, Kplang, Kyode, Kranche, Nkoya, Nkami, and Dompo People who are believed to be all part of the Northern Guang and Kyode as well the Guang — also spelled as Guan — speaking People.
Kyode People grow crops such as watermelon, coconuts, yams, cassava, plantains, millet, rice, and many other crops. Their language is known as Gikyode which is made up of some Ahanta and Gonja languages and Kyode communities include Abrewanke, Nyambong, Chilinga, Pawa, Keri, Kromanse also known as Kromase or Akromanse and Shiare.
The paramount seat of Kyode is in Shiare and its Kingship is known as Gewura, and is a form of community leaders in their communities with each Kyode community having a Chief, or Wura who rules the town. The Chief of Kromase is known as Kromase Wura and Shiare own is known as Shiare Wura or Osulewura, which means the King of Kyode Kingdom. Kyodes can be found in the Northern part of the Volta Region and some Northern parts of the Brong Ahafo Region. Others are in some parts of the Mossi Region of Burkina Faso and some are in parts of Northern Ivory Coast. Kyode has a town known as Nkwanta which
shares a border with present-day Togo and Burkina Faso and their remote villages. In the Kyode town of Nkwanta in the northern part of Ghana’s Volta region, it is said minerals are being discovered such as gold, diamond, and many more. The Kiyode Nkwanta Paramount Chief of Volta Region known as Nana Obonbo Sewura Lipuwura II
The Kyode Guan People of Volta and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana, as well as those in Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast in their written research account, claimed the Kyode Guans of Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast were part of the original Guans who might have migrated from the Mossi region of present-day Burkina Faso and moved around 10,000 AD through the Volta valley in a direction where they created settlements along the Black Volta throughout the Afram Plains of Ghana. The Guan have been heavily influenced by their neighbors the Kyode who are a subgroup of the Guan and have some Gonja words and Ahanta words in their language. As far as the other Guan subgroups are concerned, the Anum-Boso speak a local Ewe dialect, whereas Lareth and Kyerepong have customs similar to the Akuapim groups. It is said Kyode and Gonja were ruled by the members of a dynasty of Mande Origins, It is believed the ruling dynasty, however, does not speak Guan. It is said Kyodes used to be with the Ahanta people during the rise and fall of the Ahanta Empire.
In the history of the Kyode it is believed Ndewura Jakpa was a Gonja warrior who fought his way across and to the west then to the east and died in battle. He was the founder of the Mande dynasty in the Gonjaland in what is now part of Northern Ghana. Early in the 17th century Ndewura through invasions had a great Influence in other parts of West Africa.
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The Guans founded one of the several northern kingdoms in the 18th century, others claimed they later became part of the British Northern territories after the fall of the Asante, facial marks also known as tribal marks play a big role in the Kyode Culture.
It is said that the Mandingo forces that entered present-day Ghana with all other allies, too numerous to mention, arrived under the leadership of the Mandingo leader of the forces from the Songhai Empire in 1546. During the reign of King Askia Muhammad who ruled for 35 years. By 1528 his son known as Musa and his nephew known as Askia Ishmael (translated in Arabic as Askia Ismail) had a power struggle…
Kyode diet consists of plantain, cocoyam, corn, rice, coconut, and palm nut which is considered to be one of their favorites food items and is known for producing palm oil. Polygamy is allowed and attests to the wealth and power of men who can take good care of at least one wife before marrying two or more wives. Having children is very important and it plays a big role in Kyode Guan tribe who are patrilineal. Learn more about the people of Kyode in this March 31, 2021 video below courtesy of JoyNews Ghana. Credit: Kwame Selikem Okatakyie
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Meet The Ghanaian Accessories Designer Bringing Authentic Adinkra Symbols To The Boardroom Black Education & Innovation
According to the Brookings reports on race and education in America, Black people have unequal access to education and opportunities as compared to other minorities. The situation is further worsened due to factors including years of slavery, systemic racism and lack of proper documentation on ancestry. “The road has never been easy as a Black people America, there are several challenges that you have to deal with every day so we are using fashion as a powerful tool to educate our people,” Agyeman explains.
Wallstreet analyst Agyeman Senkyire has always been known as the stylish man in the room receiving compliments daily for his uncanny knack for matching his suits and funk suits. After one of such encounters, Agyeman, whose name means one who saves a nation, and has a royal heritage in his land of birth, Ghana, decided to turn the many compliments into a cultural conversation when he launched Adinkra Republic.
“All I always said was thank you when I was complimented on my socks and most of the time, people will ask what are those stuff on the socks, and I will not have much to say,” the accessories designer recalls. In 2018, Adinkra Republic was launched as a luxury menswear brand that produces socks and other accessories inspired by the heritagerich Adinkra symbols to start the cultural movement.
funerals and very special events. These symbols were used to express various themes that relate to the history, beliefs and philosophy of the Asante.
They mostly have rich proverbial meaning since proverbs play an important role in the Asante culture. The use of proverbs is considered a mark of wisdom.
Agyeman, who was a participant in a ‘Shop Local’ event at New York Fashion Week, says his maternal grandmother educated him on the meaning of 200+ symbols which inspired his socks line.
“She told me that these symbols were royal and that they have deep wisdom and great inspiration behind the meanings, in other words, they all have their own story,” explains Agyeman. Adinkra Republic boasts of a socks line con“One day, after I was complimented, I was sisting of 77 designs, men’s accessories and a reminded that I needed more than just a thank new bag collection which is decorated with you. I wanted a conversation starter, something symbols for both corporate men and the man that inspires people to wear and boost confiof style. dence,” he tells Face2Face Africa. “From formal office wear, to quirky casual Traditional Adinkra cloths which are decorated wear, a gentleman can get a suitable array of with symbols and aphorism were first invented adinkra design socks that combines quality, in 1817 by Akan artisans from West Africa for colour and taste as you walk as a true royal,” royalty and spiritual leaders wore them during a statement on their website reads.
For Black History Month, the brand continues to intensify education and advocacy through its “Black Changemakers Series” where Black icons are highlighted and followers receive Adinkra socks for guessing their names correctly. “Many people know Sankofa and GyeNyame, but outside of those 2 most people including Ghanaians are not familiar with the rest.
“This is a way to preserve something so special that our forefathers have left for us. I am just doing my part to preserve it for our children and our children’s children,” he added. A New Wave of Black Cultural Ambassadors
Black culture for so many years has been denied in the boardroom as heads of corporations continue to pay lip service to the concept of inclusion and diversity. However, Adinkra and other Black labels are part of a new generation of businesses that are innovating and bringing Black culture to the boardroom.
So far, they have been successful and he plans to use every design in his possession to advocate for inclusion and diversity. In the future, he wants more brands to take up Black culture seriously and he believes fashion does the trick really right. “For so many years, we couldn’t wear our culture to the boardroom and some important space, today you can. Every design is a conversation started through that we teach people.” https://face2faceafrica.com/
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Dr. Kemi Olugemo to Jackson M’vunganyi — COVID-19 could be here longer
Nigeria-born American Neurologist Dr. Kemi Olugemo says the current vaccines administered across the world in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic do certainly give people some protection although the extent of the protection was not fully known.
She says 9 to 12 months after people get vaccinated against COVID-19 they need to take immune boosters to help rejuvenate their immune system and make their body’s ability to continue to make antibodies better if they are to counter infections.
Dr. Olugemo made these known to the Voice of America’s (VOA) Jackson M’vunganyi on the Upfront show hosted by Jackson and broadcast from the VOA news headquarters in the United States (US) capital, Washington DC, to a global audience. In their May 2021 broadcast monitored by TheAfricanDream.net Dr. Olugemo in her conversation with Mr. M’vunganyi admitted to concerns that the current vaccines being rolled out in many countries might be rendered ineffective by emerging COVID-19 variants such as those seen in countries like Brazil and South Africa — slowly making their ways around the world.
Kemi who is also the current director of communications at Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP) therefore urged people to continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and ensure they mask up when they are in crowded places and public spaces as well, encouraging people to get vaccinated when that becomes possible for them to do. “Yes there is a threat too — the new variants — that is the reason to mask up when you are in crowded places and public places. But I see in terms of the boosters that are being developed that they are going to keep up with the [new] variants, but we also know that some of the vaccines have now offered some level of protection so we are not a 100% where we need to be but it’s a risk we need to continue to monitor,” the Neurologist told Jackson. Dr. Kemi touching on the current surge in COVID-19 cases in India and what developing Countries could learn from it indicated that the situation was really astonishing and devastating. She noted that some people might have relaxed in adhering to the safety protocols after
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cases declined there. She however applauded India for leading the COVAX initiative to manufacture and distribute vaccines to developing countries and asked for support for the heavily stricken nation.
Dr. Olugemo says the situation in India could improve soon as countries rally around to invest to support India and in a post-interview, after the show with TheAfricanDream.net she said it was exciting that the US is also slowly opening up. “I just want to express that we don’t fully understand the virus yet, so let’s still practice our safety protocols even as things begin to open up for the country to start entertaining some small sense of normalcy in life.“ On the issue of global herd immunity, she said on the Upfront show that that could not be achieved any time soon until every country strives individually to get there. She explains: “It’s very important to continue to try to achieve this goal because as difficult as it is, continuing in the manner we are right now without herd immunity is worse…” adding that “the COVID-19 pandemic could still be around for several years than expected.“ Also a researcher and healthcare advocate, Dr. Olugemo is currently Executive Medical Director of Neurology Clinical Development at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In the US, where she is also a Fellow of The American Academy of Neurology (FAAN). Find her on LinkedIn under her name. Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori
Meet Benita Biney, The 11-Year-Old Projecting Ghana Through Cultural Dance
Afrikan
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ies in school very seriously. A sought-after performer, Benita attends Rippon Middle school in Woodbridge, Virginia. She loves to dance, read and desire to be a lawyer. She has two younger brothers, David and Joseph Jr. Through dance, she can express herself and inspire other young girls to use their gifts to change their communities. Her message is “trust God and never give up”.
With young people like Benita projecting their Ghanaian cultural heritage, the future generation would preserve and uphold what has been passed on from the older generation. Culture and Tradition play a pivotal role in the lives of the Akan people of Ghana. 'Kete' is a very popular Ashanti dance that comes with different gestures to communicate and whoever dances it knows what his or her gestures signify.
Dance is an important aspect of the culture of the Ghanaian (African). Dance embodies and articulates the philosophies of the culture, the origin, and serves as a unique symbol of identity. Our increasing interaction with various world cultures has undermined certain aspects of our dance heritage. We incorporate ideas that threaten our indigenous philosophies and symbols of our identities to the detriment of our uniqueness as Ghanaians or Africans. Dance is one aspect of our heritage that is experiencing such impact given its contribution to humanity through its resourceful and artistic integration of socio-politico-cultural philosophies of a people. However, in recent times, Kete performances have proven over the years to be a formidable medium through which cultural and artistic knowledge is passed on from one generation to another. Adowa is a dance by the Akan people of Ghana. It is a popular traditional dance in Ghana and it is performed at cultural ceremonies like festivals, funerals, engagements, and celebrations.
Cultural expressions facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the other. Benita Biney, an 11-year-old prodigy has won the hearts of the diaspora community as a cultural ambassador. At a very early age, she watched her dad Joe, a talented traditional African drummer and dancer perform and was inspired to learn from him. Through mentorship, dedication, and intensive practice, she developed her unique form of Adowa and Kete traditional dance, performing at several Black history events across the United States, churches, International Embassies, weddings, family reunions, schools, and corporate institutions.
Being the great great granddaughter of Otumfuo Prempeh I and II of the Ashanti Royal household there is no doubt Benita’s love for culture is ingrained in her DNA. It is amazing how genetics work.
She has earned fame on the East Coast of the United States within the African Community as a cultural ambassador promoting and upholding the Akan traditional cultural dance. If you watch her dance you can tell from the smile on her face that she enjoys what she does and she comes up with something new at every event so her performance does not become monotonous. Videos of her performance went viral on social media when she recently showcased her Ghanaian cultural dance at the launching of United Airlines maiden trip ceremony at the Washington Dulles International Airport with inspiring dancing skills to a live set of talking drums.
As much as she performs at various events every weekend she also takes her stud-
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This Nigerian Software Engineer Has Just Been Hired To Develop Clubhouse Android App Afrikan
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Eric Vlidzo Of Africaweb Is Recognized As Vlisco Brand Influencer May 2021
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African wax print specialist Vlisco has announced Eric Vlidzo, AfricaWeb’s Deputy Commercial Manager as a Vlisco Ghana influencer for 2021.
This partnership, Vlisco says is a lead example of how the brand is pioneering a new way of engaging positive role models. Reacting to this honourable stride, Mr. Vlidzo expressed excitement at the prospects of working with the Vlisco brand.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world, many countries instituted lockdown measures to contain the spread of the virus. It was also during this period that the creativity of the world in the app space was unleashed.
Mobile and web-based applications like Zoom among others became very popular and convenient for lectures and corporate meetings. One app that is also very popular among social media users and organizations is Clubhouse.
Clubhouse allows users to gather in audioonly virtual rooms to discuss various topics, from politics to social issues to popular culture.
The app, since its debut, has been on the iOS platform, giving only iPhone users exclusive access to the platform. Despite the app’s exclusivity, it has reached more than 10 million weekly users, according to cofounders of the app Paul Davison and Rohan Seth, CNBC reports.Android users, who largely dominate the phone market space, were excluded from it. Now the founders of the app want to extend their reach to included Android users. To this end, the media audio app has hired Nigerian software engineer Mopewa Ogundipe to
develop the Android version of the app. The development of the Android version comes on the heels of a new funding round from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz in January.
According to Axios, the San Francisco-based audio social network raised $100 million in the funding round. This gave Clubhouse a $1 billion post-money valuation. “Today was my first day at @joinClubhouse,” Mopewa Ogundipe tweeted recently. “If you know me, you probably know I have *opinions* about iOS-only apps so I’m v. excited to be joining the team to bring the party to Android.”
Ogundipe, who describes herself as an “Android developer since the Gingerbread days,” joins Clubhouse after working with firms including an online media publishing company, Medium. She worked on the medium android app and backend systems to support it.She also worked as a Software Engineer at Khan Academy, United States, before joining Medium. And also worked at Instagram as a Software Engineer Intern.
The Nigerian is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Robotics. https://howafrica.com
“I feel honoured and humbled with the recognition by the Vlisco Ghana team and I want to say a big thank you to them. I also thank the brand Ghanaweb and AfricaWeb for giving me the opportunity for people to notice me”. Read also: Ghanaian para-athlete Raphael Nkegbe poised to win first Olympic medal
He added that the Vlisco Ghana influencer deal will urge him to “work harder. People out there are watching my footsteps, clients are appreciating so definitely it inspires me to climb higher”. “Indeed, I have come this far by grace and I would like to thank God for helping me to achieve this great milestone,” Mr. Vlidzo remarked.
Eric Vlidzo is AfricaWeb’s Deputy Commercial Manager Commenting on the appointment Stephen Badu, Marketing Director of Vlisco Ghana, said, “We’re excited to have Eric, a great achiever and a positive role model for men on board as a Vlisco Ghana influencer for 2021. He further applauded his trailblazing corporate experience in the field of commercial marketing.
Mr. Vlidzo joined AfricaWeb Holding, the parent company of GhanaWeb in 2014 as a sales executive and rose to become a Senior Sales Executive. He acted in the capacity of Head of Sales and Marketing in 2018 before becoming the Deputy Commercial Manager in 2021. In 2019, he was nominated among the top 50 most influential marketers in Ghana.
Eric Vlidzo was also adjudged the Digital Media Sales & Marketing Man of the Year at the maiden edition of Ghana Social Media Business & Creative Arts Awards (GSBCA) in 2020. Source: GhanaWeb
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www.esthershairwigbeautyshops.com
13895 Hedgewood Dr, suite 317 Woodbridge, VA 22193
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May 2021
Adjiringano Botwe Rd. Next to Goil StationEast Legon, Accra LOC: Abogba : Near the Cemetary Opposite Shell Petrol Station Accra
Kumasi Patasi Road Next to Mango Down E-Mail: dynacorpltd@yahoo.com E-Mail: dynacorpltd@yahoo.com Contacts: 0244 233 626 /0244 421 303 /0674 026 641
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Abeiku Santana — An Epitome in Celebration of Ghanaian media excellence Management, Digital, and Social Media Marketing. He also provides consultancy services to individuals, startups, and corporations. Abeiku has won several awards in recognition of his industry. They include Radio and Television Programme (RTP) Award for Radio Program of the Year and Radio Late Afternoon Show Host of the Year, (2019-2020) and TV Male Entertainment Show of the Year (2018-2019, 2016), he’s a recipient of the Ghana Internet Awards USA Best TV Male Personality (2019) award, Young Entrepreneur Award for Male Celebrity Entrepreneur of the Year and Event Male MC of the Year at the Ghana Event Awards 2019.
The Mfantseman Heroes Award was given to him in 2015, three years later M.I.C.E Africa in 2018 recognized his firm, Kaya Tours, as Company of the Year. Abeiku in 2020 was a recipient of the EMY Africa Special Recognition Award for Tourism Promotion and Marketing for his work with Kaya Tours.
Abeiku Santana holds a Masters Degree in Tourism Management from the University of Cape Coast, a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), an Associates in Legal Studies and Litigation from New York Paralegal School, an Advanced Certificate in Public Relations and Advertising from Ghana Institute of Journalism and is a Chartered Media Professional from Global Academy of Finance and Management in Colorado, the United States.
In celebration of professional excellence today, this piece shines the light of recognition on one man who has undoubtedly contributed heavily to the Ghanaian media landscape. We are looking at the life of a multiple-award-winning Chartered media practitioner with a distinguished career spanning over two decades and achievements in many other fields of endeavor — Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, popularly known as Abeiku Santana.
Abeiku’s career in media took off in 1997 with Radio Z in Koforidua, Ghana. From there he moved on to occupy the posts of Deputy Programs Manager and Sales and Marketing Supervisor from 1999 to 2001 at Radio Mercury and Ash FM respectively.
From 2002 to 2010, Abeiku was the Head of Music Programs and Events Promotion Coordinator at Multimedia Broadcasting Group, Adom FM division. After a successful time at Adom FM, he joined the Despite Media Group, successfully juggling, the
roles of a host of the Drivetime Radio Show on Okay FM and Entertainment Presenter on UTV. As the Managing Director of Kaya Tours Ghana Limited & Kaya Management Services, Abeiku Santana was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Travel & Tourism professionals in Africa and is listed as one of Africa’s Top 100 Personalities. He was inducted into the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Hall of Fame in 2008. Santana is a member of the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals (SKAL) and has served as Tourism Ambassador for Ghana, Communications Manager of Local Enterprise and Skills Development from 2010 to 2015. He’s known widely for promoting African integration through Travel and Tourism Trade.
His Skills of expertise range from Marketing Communications, Media Relations, Teamwork, Market Research, Brand Management, Tourism Destination
He also serves as a visiting lecturer to the Africa University College of Communications (AUCC), Pentecost University College, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Ghana, among other educational institutions. Abeiku Santana is a relentless Broadcast Journalist who wouldn’t stop until he finds practical solutions to pressing problems. His career focus is to become a Global Expert Consultant in Media, Marketing, Tourism, and Hospitality. Visit www.abeikusantana.com to learn more about his illustrious career… Source: Various filed reports
☎+1202.706.9881 💻contact@oralofori.com 🌍https://linktr.ee/the1africandream Written by Oral Ofori
United Airlines Launches Direct Flights From Washington to Ghana May 2 0 2 1
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On Friday, May 14, 2021, the Acting Head of Mission, H.E. Genevieve Apaloo, and other senior officials of the Embassy joined executives of United Airlines for the inaugural ceremony of United Airlines' relaunched route from Washington D.C. to Accra, Ghana. The inaugural ceremony took place at Dulles International Airport prior to the departure of the first flight to Accra amidst elaborate Ghanaian cultural performances.
Ghanaians in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area along with those across the United States will have the benefit of direct services to Ghana three times per week. The non-stop flights will depart from Washington Dulles International Airport to Kotoka International Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday of the week serviced by one of the airline's newest Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In his remarks, the Vice President of International Network and Alliances for United Airlines, Mr. Patrick Quayle, expressed the company's excitement and commitment to the new route. "It's been an exciting journey for us here at United Airlines to resume this capital to capital route. It's our goal to grow and expand our services from three days a week to daily services".
On behalf of the Embassy, H.E. Genevieve Apaloo expressed Ghana's readiness to support United Airlines and also charged the company to ensure Ghanaian citizens are treated fairly, respectfully and with exceptional services and said "United Airlines' decision to relaunch this route especially during the current economic downturn attests to the confidence your company has in Ghana. Be rest assured that Ghana stands ready and committed to make sure you are successful. Most importantly, we urge you to provide excellent services, fair prices and a consistent show of respect to our citizens." The Acting Head of Mission was accompanied by Mr. Kofi Tonto, Head of Information & Public Affairs, Mrs. Ninette Ivo, Head of Economics, Mrs. Cynthia Djokoto, Head of Trade and Investments and Ms. Angeline Addy, Executive Communications Officer.
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Explore the history of Nigeria’s Cocoa House, the first skyscraper in West Africa pride for the residents of Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole. On January 9, 1985, almost 20 years after its opening, the entire building was gutted by fire, rendering it dilapidated and unusable. Many lives were lost and a lot more were injured. Renovations on the building caused it to remain closed to the general public until 1992 when it was fully repaired and opened once again for commercial use.
Today, the building houses offices for major firms and broadcasting outfits, with the last floor reserved for the Odua Museum and Hall of Fame which was commissioned by Professor Wole Soyinka in 2013. The building has been in the news recently following sightings of smoke from the fourth floor which was reminiscent of the fire disaster of 1985. Workers in the building were seen rushing out for their safety, away from the source of the smoke. Reports after the sighting indicated that the smoke was caused by a faulty engine that was started on the fourth floor, causing a spark of fire and emitting smoke.
Cocoa House and its surroundings, Credit: Jumia travel
In the mid-1900s, the decolonization of Africa took place. Many countries and territories gained their freedom and independence from European superpowers. This meant total self-rule, with the control and management of countries and their resources in the hands of Africans for the first time in centuries. As such, it heralded the arrival of developmental projects and monuments by some governments and private entities in a bid to improve the livelihood of the citizenry, some of which are still standing today. One of such monuments is the Cocoa House of Ibadan, Nigeria, the first skyscraper in tropical Africa and then the tallest building in Nigeria and West Africa when it was built.
Standing at 26 storeys high, the building has a height of about 105 meters and a land area of 1.7 hectares and is the first known skyscraper in tropical Africa, in the heart of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The idea for the building was proposed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He led the Action Group (A.G) to embark on the project, contracting Cappa and D’Alberto with no support or allocations from the federal government but only using cocoa proceeds as cocoa was at the centre of exportation.
Cappa and D’Alberto are said to be the oldest construction firm in the country, a team of building and civil engineers operating in Nigeria since 1932, noted for iconic buildings like Mobil house, Victoria Island; Diamond Bank, Lekki, Lagos; Bella’s Place, Victoria Island.
In 1964, the building was completed and on July 30, 1965, it was inaugurated and commissioned for use. The initial name given to the building was ‘Ile Awon Agbe’, translating from Yoruba to ‘the house of farmers’ in English. The name was later changed to Cocoa House because it was built with proceeds from cocoa exportation and also because there was a cocoa tree planted in front of the building just beside a water fountain.
The building, belonging to the Odua Investment Company Limited, became a source of joy and
The Group Head of Corporate Affairs of Odua Investment, Victor Ayetoro, assured the people that no damage was done to the building, no lives were lost and that the building is in good shape and will be for a long time. Credit: Jumia travel
https://face2faceafrica.com/
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Letter from Africa: Kente – the Ghanaian cloth that’s on the catwalk Afrikan
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The Asantehene, or king of Asante, seems to have an endless supply and the unstated rule is that once a particular design has been woven for him, his weavers would never repeat that design for anyone else.The kente retains its special status, no matter how old and is normally handed down the generations.
It is not clear to me what one does with an old kente apart from hanging it in a museum; you could not really wear it to the shops nor to the office nor to a football match, no matter how old it is. It would be seen as a form of desecration of the fabric. Indeed, it appears the older the kente, the more valuable it is, or at least the more valued it is. This quintessential Ghanaian work of art holds the quality described in the English poet John Keats’ work Endymion. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
We in Ghana have absolute confidence in our fashion sense.
We also happen to believe that the most beautiful and most dramatic fabric on this Earth is the kente, which is, of course, Ghanaian.
The finely woven material has become the defining symbol of Ghana and Ghanaians and, indeed, of Africa, and for Black people in general. Time was when the kente was a strictly royal cloth reserved only for the most special of occasions and the elite of Ghanaian societies.
Today the kente is widely available to all of us, but has retained its elegance and, when woven, is still expensive. There are two main strands of kente in Ghana representing two ethnic groups – the Ashanti and the Ewe
Is it kente when it is a cheap cloth? The kente is now far more than a fabric of adornment. It is political, it makes a statement and it remains a thing of beauty.
Nevertheless, we cannot quite decide what our attitude should be about the kente becoming international. We love it and we are proud when a highprofile non-Ghanaian personality wears kente.
But we are ambivalent about the cloth printed with kente designs being manufactured in China, which has enabled the growth in its popularity. Is it really kente if it is printed and not
handwoven? Dare I say, is it kente when it is a cheap cloth? Should it be worn as everyday clothing rather than for a special occasion?
We struggle with these questions but still watch with joy as the kente makes waves across the world. Back in 2018, a group of lawmakers wanted to make a statement ahead of then-US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address and draped kente strips over their suits.
That was it; they did not need to carry placards. The kente strips spelt out the unambiguous message of support for African countries which had reportedly been described in derogatory terms the week before by Mr Trump. Kente worn over a suit During the recent Louis Vuitton show in Paris, kente was the headline item in the haute couture show.
With Virgil Abloh as the artistic director of the top fashion house, it was not surprising that the kente found such a high-profile presence. I am not sure what the kente aficionados will make of kente worn over a suit, but it certainly turned heads at the fashion show.
In Ghana, the designs are mostly traditional but there are young, daring artists that are experimenting with new and unconventional looks and colours.
Until recently, the most interesting kentes were worn by our traditional leaders. At a durbar, nothing quite prepares you for the riot of colours that adorn the gathering of chiefs all wearing kente.
Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness
You have not been richly dressed until you have worn kente. Written by Elizabeth Ohene for BBC
Meet Ghana’s Youngest Female How this SA entrepreneur in U.S. went Commercial Pilot, Audrey from homeless refugee to creating a Maame Esi Swatson $100m investment fund
4A f r i k a n
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ees, and advisors in several pioneering technology startups. Kanyi also served as a Partner at Collaborative Fund, where he was an early advisor to Tala and Walker & Co., and a board member at Buffer, Camino Financial, Spruce, and True Link, a post on Kindred Ventures’ website said.
In addition to co-founding Kindred Ventures, the Soweto born is also a cofounder of Heartbeat Health, a telehealth platform for cardiology that incorporates telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and digital heart health programs.
Indeed, Kanyi prides himself on founding the only virtual heart health app with video visits and at-home diagnostics. The app now has over 20,000 patients or subscribers as per its figures in 2019.
Born on February 23, 1997, Maame Esi Swatson, a product of University of Ghana Basic School, Ghana Christian High School and Mach1 Aviation Academy became the youngest female commercial pilot in Ghana at age 21.
Now a First Officer with Passion Air, a Ghanaian airline company, Audrey flies the Dash8 Q-400 aircraft.
She first went to the Mach1 Aviation Academy in South Africa, for her flight training when she was 18 years old after completing her secondary education. At age 19, she had her first solo flight with Mach1 Aviation Academy and went on to obtain her Commercial Pilot Licence at age 21.
Like every career, Miss Swatson had her own topsy turvy moments. “Apart from God and my parents, I owe everything I am and everything I hope to be to school. Without the education I have received during my lifetime, the friends I have met and have networked with, the great teachers that have been there for me since day one, I would not be able to move on to a more positive place in my life. I would not be able to have a chance to even become a pilot, to be given a chance to inspire other children that whatever they dream of, they can actually be. Education has fulfilled me and I am a more positive person because of it,” she recounted in a media interview.
She is currently the CEO of an aviation company called Excel Aviation, with the dream to aid young women like her to fulfil their dreams. Audrey Esi Swatson was celebrated by the Ministry of Aviation. In 2016 she attended a sponsored conference in the USA as the first African female pilot by International Women in Aviation. She was nominated and honoured at The Future Awards Africa Prize for Young Person of the Year (Ghana).
https://howafrica.com/
The stories of refugees pursuing economic ventures to contribute to the growth of their host country are replete in the literature. However, because of their status as refugees, their success stories are often not given attention in the media. In cases where stories of refugees are reported, they are often about their involvement in crimes and other social vices.
Despite the seeming lack of growing interest in the economic persuasion of refugees which leads to job creation, some of their success stories have attracted the world’s attention. One of such is Kanyi Maqubela, who migrated to the US with his family as refugees from South Africa. The US remains one of the favorite destinations of refugees worldwide partly due to their refugee policies and their respect for human rights, although those were nearly wiped out during the Trump administration. Kanyi arrived in the US at the height of the apartheid regime in South Africa. After living in debilitating conditions in his own country, he and his family felt migrating to the US will pay off for them. And as faith would have it, Kanyi has become a successful entrepreneur in the US and his parents got employed.
Kanyi co-founded Kindred Ventures with Steve Jang after successfully raising $56 million. Kindred Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital fund based in San Francisco, California. According to Shoppe Black, Kindred Ventures has invested in over 40 companies located in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Previous Kindred Ventures investments count companies like Uber, Coinbase, and Virgin Hyperloop One.
Also, Kanyi recently raised $100 million in capital commitments from a mix of major university endowments, foundations, fund-of-funds, and strategic investors, according to Techcrunch.
Kanyi and Jang have served as founders, early employ-
Despite making it in the US, Kanyi and his family’s story ‘in the land of freedom’ was not all rosy. They lived in a homeless shelter and were on food stamps until his mother got a job as an ESL teacher at Fashion Institute of Technology, and his father got a job as a cashier and coat checker at the Museum of Natural History, according to Shoppe Black.
Today, both parents are not only gainfully employed, but they are both accomplished educators while Kanyi did undergraduate and graduate studies at Stanford University, where he majored in Philosophy, and studied among others computer science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
He taught elementary and middle school math and science and claimed to have worked on Obama’s 2008 campaign team. “I really enjoyed being on the teaching team for Design Your Life, a class for undergraduates out of the Stanford Design Program,” he says on his website.
“We’re over-mentored and under-capitalized,” the venture capitalist told Bloomberg on why Black businesses need investment than activism. “I believe there’s an opportunity to use the acute national attention to catalyze structural change but it doesn’t happen on its own.” https://face2faceafrica.com/
May 2021
YOUR SKILL IS YOUR PURCHASING POWER – Earl Ankrah
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“You must lean on the principle of equal pay for equal work and highlight the similarities between your output and that of your male colleague. Output it is; not just because you both hold the same positions, but because you actually do match his productivity”, said Ankrah. “In that position, an employer who is otherwise insensitive to gender equality, would be compelled to use your value, rather than your gender, to fix your salary. At FWSC, we refer to it as: equal pay for work of equal value”.
The Head of Public Affairs of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Mr. Earl Ankrah, has encouraged women to strive to continuously add value to whatever skills they possess throughout their career lives, as that is the surest way to enhance their financial status at the workplace. He was speaking to Natalia Andoh, host of the “Mid-morning Show on Class FM” in an edition last Tuesday dedicated to Equal Pay, to raise awareness on gender pay gap.
When asked why that is the case, he said men are usually more assertive when negotiating their salaries, while women are mostly considerate and understanding, especially when an employer gives that ‘things would get better’ vibe. Ankrah added, “Men tend to be more forward in flaunting what they bring to the table and reminding the employer of their pivotal role in the firm”. He made reference to a ‘CNN Money’ programme experiment on how the different genders negotiate a pay raise, with CNN anchors Samuel Mr. Ankrah said, in the public service of Ghana, Burke and Clare Sebastian. Mr. Ankrah said, there is no such thing as gender pay gap. He “During the exercise, Clare pushed for a 6% pay explained that first of all, the constitution frowns raise, but Burke made a wild leap for a 10% on discrimination of any kind, including genderraise” related discrimination. Additionally, the Labour Act specifically dictates equal pay for equal Natalia Andoh asked Earl if other factors conwork. Besides, with the Single Spine Pay Policy, tribute to this situation. Mr. Ankrah responded there are job evaluation factors that come into that usually, most men negotiate with an eye on play in the setting of salaries. They include their financial responsibilities back at home like knowledge (academic qualification), experience, rent, utilities, school fees, and in some cases, mental effort, physical effort, financial responsidaily groceries (referred to as chop money); bility, responsibility to assets, supervisory meanwhile, there could be a capital-intensive responsibility, risks and hazards on the job, project on the side. “Hence men look at the botamong other factors. “None of those factors tom-line and if it doesn’t make economic sense, which determine how an employee is placed on they either walk or take the job temporarily but the salary structure, has anything to do with gencontinue looking for better offers. Women on the der. The Single Spine is gender blind”, he other hand, although also have financial responemphasized. sibilities, try to avoid the tension that comes with such sensitive negotiations, hence tend not to Mr. Ankrah acknowledged however that, things drag things for too long.” are quite different in the private sector and within some multi-national organisations, where cerAsked if women have the right to ask for more, tain components of salaries are usually negotiatAnkrah – who participates in national-level ed on individual basis and are mostly confidennegotiations between the Government of Ghana tial. “The perceptions of pay inequality are and Unions replied, “Of course, if she is really mostly true. If it can happen at the BBC, it can sure that is the situation, she can initiate a negohappen anywhere”, he said. tiation”, but advised that women must not use gender as the primary reason to demand more.
He lamented however that in the most cases, women are disadvantaged, owing to situations outside of the workplace, beyond their control – when they have no help. Under circumstances where bonuses are pegged to extra work done, family responsibilities (like having to leave on time to pick the kids from school and going home to take care of stuff), act as impediments to women’s earnings. But the man is able to work late or accept assignments that take him away from home over the weekends, etc. “Once these exigencies are taken care of, women can match or even outperform men at the workplace and therefore earn more. That way, you should not only be gunning for equality, but even higher”. He therefore encouraged women to take seriously, the need to constantly update their skills, as that is the silver bullet to outdoing their male counterparts and raising their financial clout at the workplace.
In a related interview with TheAfricanDream.net following up on the Class FM interview, Earl Ankrah further encouraged women not to only aim at just levelling up, but rising over and above their male colleagues in skill and commensurate financial value. “Your skill is your purchasing power”, he said. “The more knowledge, experience, dexterity and mental effort you bring to the table, the higher your value becomes. The more polished your skill, the more demand there is for it, not just at your workplace, but outside of it. And the higher the demand for that rare skill, the higher your rewards”, he hinted. “Purchasing power isn’t just money. It is the value of the skill which rakes in that money of commensurate value”, said Ankrah. Challenging women to focus on the bigger picture, he said, “Your target should not be what coins trickle into some man’s wallet, but what bundles bloat your purse, courtesy of your high skills”. Earl Ankrah is a former national television anchor and a women’s and children’s rights advocate. He is currently a policy communications practitioner, Media/PR/Marketing consultant, a macrolevel HR expert and an experienced negotiator. He has also done some marketing consultancy for Best Western Premiere (Airport Hotel), in Accra Ghana. Mr. Ankrah has been an occasional contributing Senior Editor at TheAfricanDream.net since 2019.
Written by Oral Ofori
Naomi Osaka teams up with Ghanaian-born dermatologist to create skincare line for darker skin tones May 2021
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Naomi Osaka is venturing into the skincare industry with products for melanated individuals. Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka is venturing into the skincare industry with a new line, KINLÒ, purposely for melanated individuals. Osaka, like many dark-skinned individuals, struggled to find what works for her skin. That is why she decided it was about time to launch an affordable one that does the job right.
Boakye, M.D., is co-founder and chief executive officer of Karité, a shea butter business she founded with her two sisters. According to the website of Karité, Boakye “specializes in the health and appearance of the skin.”
Her passion is to create products with scientifically backed ingredients that have the ability to nurture the skin and optimize its health. Boakye completed her derOsaka said that until recently, she did not know matology residency at State University of New York Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn, New York, where she needed to wear sunscreen. she also served as Chief Resident.
“What drew me towards this project is having memories of being a kid and not knowing how to protect my skin. I only started wearing sunscreen recently.
Osaka created the formulas of her line with the NYCbased dermatologist.
KINLÒ’s products will consist of body spray, lip balm, eye cream, and an SPF 50 Tinted Face Lotion and sun“This is a public health need. I used to tell peo- screen that could potentially save lives aside from prople that I didn’t need to wear sunscreen — but tecting the skin. According to CDC research, nearly 33% of Black Americans who get diagnosed with melanoma, even if you have melanin, you need to take a type of skin cancer, die in the United States. care of your skin, and I am passionate about that,” she told Business of Fashion. “I never thought I would ever start my own company, The line was specially created with Ghanaian- but I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be launching KINLÒ, a new brand of skin care products developed to born dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye. The protect and rejuvenate melanated skin tones. brand was made for everyone, especially athletes as it offers sun protection. “I hope these products can help a lot of people and
potentially save lives because I really feel that we aren’t protecting ourselves as much as we could,” the tennis prodigy wrote in an Instagram post. The 23-year-old has a love for fashion as well. She explicitly expressed it when she graced the cover of Louis Vuitton in January this year after being named house brand ambassador for the French label. The three-time Grand Slam winner said she was honored to be the brand ambassador for the fashion house. She is now set to feature in its Spring-Summer 2021 campaign. “Wow this is actually crazy,” the Japanese star wrote on both her Twitter and Instagram accounts at the time. “Honored to be @LouisVuitton newest House Ambassador.
“Funny story: I first bought my mom an LV bag when I was 16 as a birthday present and it’s kinda been a tradition since. Do I call this a full circle moment? Yes.” The luxury brand chose her because she is a role model for many young people. Artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière, who shot the new collection, described Osaka as “an exceptional young woman who represents her generation and is a role model for everyone.” https://face2faceafrica.com/
May 2021
Unveiling: Oppong Clifford Benjamin, Prolific Ghanaian Poet & Entrepreneur AWARDS & Honours
Oppong Clifford Benjamin is a Construction Project Manager, awardwinning creative writer and youth leader from Ghana.
He has 7 years of experience working as a Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Site Manager, and Construction supervisor in the field of civil constructions, GIS, water distribution networks, geotechnical engineering, and soil lab tests, He is currently working as a freelance Construction Project Manager, delivering Project Management consultancy to Construction Companies, and he works on a part-time basis with Eduwayne PMP Consult as a Program coordinator, designing PMP courses and scheduling trainings with institutions to maximize their production using Project Management practices.
Clifford is also a researcher. He has published academic papers on Academia. He researches in areas like engineering education, the competencybased training system of engineering education, construction, Geospatial Sciences, Health, and Safety of Construction workers.
Oppong Clifford Benjamin Clifford has authored a collection of poems titled Collecting Stars From A Night’s Sky which was published in June, 2019 by Poetic Justice Books & Arts in Florida, USA. The book won Clifford the third place in the prestigious Professor Atukwei Okai Poetry Prize in November, 2019 by the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW). Clifford wrote a collection of short stories titled The Virgin Mother and Other Short Stories in 2017. It was published by Forte Publishing in Monrovia, Liberia.
His poems have appeared in many literary journals, magazines and anthologies across the world. Notable among
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those are the Liberia Literary Magazine called KWEE, Portor Portor, Ghana Writes Literary Journal, Brittle Paper, Kalahari Review, WRR and many other journals in Nigeria, myjoyonline in Ghana, Blog Nostics, Thirty West Publishing House and Vagabondcity Lit in the USA, the UK online poetry library, Poetrybit in India and many other literary journals and magazines. He has read his pieces at literary events in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Rwanda, Germany, Norway and Russia. In 2013, the WRR poetry honoured Oppong Clifford Benjamin as the Ghana Poet of the year. In December, 2016, he was invited to Nigeria by the WRR to give a guest lecture on the power of words.
Clifford is also a correspondent at The AfricanDream LLC, a communication research consultancy firm formed in the Washington D.C Metro Area and based in the United States. Oppong Clifford Benjamin is a youth leader who has been actively involved in humanitarian activities of various NGOs and member of many youth-led organizations like the Afrika Youth Movement and African Union Youth Charter. He co-founded the Builders of the African Dream with Grace Mageka (daughter of Africa) in Kenya.
Clifford is also a business man. He is the founder and executive director of Ghana Writes Literary Group which company provides writing services like ghostwriting, editing and publications.
Clifford is the owner and CEO of OCB Wood Solutions.
3rd Place in The Professor Akukwei Okai Poetry Prize, November 2019, GAW. Best Graduating Student of the Civil Engineering Department, 2014. Kumasi Technical University, Ghana. Ghana Poet of year 2013 by Words Rhythms Rhymes (WRR), Nigeria. Clifford was invited to participate in the Greifswald University Students Festival (GRISTUF) 2018, Germany Specially Invited by the Ministry of Youth of Rwanda to attend the 2018 Youth Connect Summit on Entrepreneurship, Kigali, Rwanda. Invited to be the guest lecturer at the annual poetry festival of the University of Ibadan by WRR in 2017, Nigeria. Invited to be a guest poet at the University of Ibadan poetry festival by the WRR in 2018, Nigeria. Selected and Invited to participate in the SSDA writing workshop organized by Goethe Institute in Lagos, 2018. BOOKS The Virgin Mothers and Other Short Stories Collecting Stars From A Night’s Sky The Creation of Gods (in the beginning was a man)
Source: Various files
May 2021
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Dancer Mufasa urges creatives to follow instincts in chat with Brown Berry
your big break]” said the dancer to Brown Berry who in 2013 started the Travel Club with which he aimed at using to promote tourism in a fun and affordable way with trips across Ghana and Africa. Narrating to Brown Berry a story about his one-shirt anecdote, Mufasa recounted how he used to wear one particular shirt for his videos until the shirt faded and he decided to make his own and sell them. “I used to wear the same shirt and it came to a point where it was ripping and fading and I was like I have got to make my shirt, so I tried and It took some years too, but finally I got it, so when I did people were asking about it and [so I put them online to sell and] within an hour everything was sold out.” The shirt made of African print fabric has now become a signature fashion statement. He applauded his parents for always believing in him and supporting him on his journey so far as an artist. Mufasa recounts how it all started in 2019 with the car riding videos began hitting the Internet, admitting that he didn’t expect the videos to go viral as quickly as they did.
Born Jeff Obeng to both Ghanaian parents residing in Virginia in the United States of America, Mufasa has risen to become a household name across the globe with his sensational Dance Videos. The infectious smile and dance moves of Mufasa became a remedy to many people across the world amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking in an interview with Joshua Kormla Senuvie popularly known as Brown Berry (on Instagram as iambrownberry) who is a Ghanaian Radio and TV Presenter on Y-FM in Accra Ghana, Mufasa urged musicians and artists across the world to follow their instinct and be passionate about whatever they do.
Brown Berry (right) with Mufasa (left) in front of the Y-FM studios in Ghana He stated in the mid-May 2021 interview that before he started making videos he used to work at his parents’ shop in Virginia and Washington DC and later worked with Amazon as a delivery boy after he decided to quit working for his parents.
“I think sometimes our parents want us to go to school to become doctors, nurses [or engage in so called noble professions]… my parents wanted me to play safe and follow in line with these type of profes-
sion, but my gut feeling was telling me to do something different, so I gave them 25 years of my life and finally decided the rest of the years will just focus on me,” said the popular online dance sensation during his chat with Brow Berry. Mufasa has had a significant spike in viewership and engagements on his social media handles in recent years. He says he does not believe in naysayers, urging that artists should strive to be different in their content creation: “musicians who want to make it to the limelight must stick to their guts, many people laughed at us when we started, people were like ‘what are you doing dancing out of a car,’ among things like ‘you keep wearing the same clothes in your videos and It’s not working’ “. But the dancer shut his ears to these naysayers and opened his mind to the possibilities…
Mufasa also encouraged up-and-coming artists to keep pushing and staying true to their causes. “Keep pushing, keep praying, keep grinding and you will definitely get there and also be different, don’t be like everyone else when it comes to the content or the music, always try to be somebody different — it takes only one ‘yes’ [to get
“So we have been doing rap songs. It’s been working out but it has not been going far so I was like you know.., let’s do something different. Let’s do a song that we both like. Let’s switch it up, men let’s push the feeling, we shot it and a couple of days it started to go crazy and I didn’t expect it at all.“
So far Mufasa says he has traveled around countries like Portugal, the Netherlands, and Dubai in the UnitedArabEmirates, and across the United States to perform. He expressed excitement about having gotten a partnership with Sony Music where he is currently working on a project. Mufasa who has a verified Instagram account with over 1.6 million following says he wants to do more African songs and intends to work with other dance groups in Ghana, find him on Instagram as cousinskeether and enjoy watching this video of him in this link https://twitter.com/The4fricanDream/status/1393969167984992258?s=19 Written by Oral Ofori
4 BEDRROM HOUSE FOR SALE $110,000
STEMi Makers Africa launches STEM Education in South Eastern Nigeria May
2021
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House for sale $110,000
This home is newly built, carefully planned with appealing spaces. Upon entering this cozy home., you are greeted by an open plan lounge and dining room where your family and friends relax and socialize. The house has a separate visitor’s bathroom/toilet and a fully fitted and functional kitchen with a stress-free space to enjoy. Ready to leave in with electricity and water on a 100 x 50 ft plot of land situated on the main road to Millennium City, Kasoa,
Built to last with original features in a quite desirable area.The home offers 4 bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom that has a shower, basin and toilet. Original plan was for an Airbnb.Main features are as follows:A beautiful kitchen, dining room and lounge.4 large bedrooms and four large bathroomsTank for water and hot water, molded ceiling3 biodegradable manholesBig purposely build underground water tank linked with water harvest pipesParking space for 3 cars, airElectric fence/fire & smoke alarm, air conditions, fansAntique and modern lights from London all in boxes ready to be fixedSmall landscaped garden (still growing)
All finishing/fittings are from UK: other fittings still in import boxes.
Contact Nana Kwasi on:703-725-6968 or
Phyllis on WhatsApp 0447440225799 for further information.
Africa faces huge challenges in reforming its education sector. Many people are still not learning what they need to thrive now and in the future. If current trends continue, by 2050 some one-third of Africa’s one billion young people will lack basic proficiency in math, reading, and other subjects. Millions will be unemployable and unproductive.
Recognizing this, STEMi Makers Africa in partnership with the U.S Consulate General, Lagos organized the STEM Integration and Development Training for Educators in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria for Educators to adopt new skills and knowledge that will strengthen competencies, particularly in STEM and digital literacy, for students to effectively transition from education to employment.
This project was held in the four eastern states of Nigeria, that is, Abia, Imo, Enugu, and Anambra state.
The project commenced from March 1-12, 2021, during which STEMi Makers Africa visited each of the states for a 2-day intensive and hands-on training. Each of these states brought together a diverse group of Science and Technology, Education, and socio-economic empowerment stakeholders, and encouraged practical hands-on activities around improving teaching practices and learning outcomes through quality capacity building for Educators in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria.
Educators were exposed to design thinking, programming, circuiting, embedded systems, prototyping, computing, STEM Pedagogy, skills of the future, and entrepreneurship. The program also encouraged break-out sessions for Educators to identify existing societal problems and come up with sustainable solutions like products, applications, and technology innovation. Commissioner of Science and Technology of Enugu State; Sir Obi Kama in Enugu on attended the March 8 edition of the event, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Abia State, Sir Eze Ajuzie in Umuahia, and Remy Chukwunyere, a representative of the former Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government, Uche Nwosu Ugwumba in Owerri attended on respective days to show their support.
A representative and the Strategy Lead of STEMi Makers Africa, Amanda Obidike, stated that the project is to empower educators to raise students’ achievements in STEM “so that they can excel and become more experienced for Africa’s workforce. The future economic growth of Africa depends on an aligned education and futurefocused system that supports developmental efforts in generating talents needed to become self-reliant and problemsolvers using Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Innovation,” Amanda said.
To remain competitive in a growing global economy, we must raise students’ achievement in STEM subjects and skills. “This is why we are therefore looking forward to ensuring that educators serve as role models, career and academic supporters, and as nurturers of the younger generation. We will be following up on the schools, Educators, and their students towards ensuring they are given the adequate and technical support they need,” Amanda assured TheAfricanDream.net in an interview.
Key Stakeholders at the event noted that educators are foundational in preparing students for a world where they must collaborate with others, adapt quickly to change, and where success will hinge on attitudes and behaviors as well as knowledge.
Resource partners that were present at the project included the U.S Consulate General; Lagos, Ministry of Science and Technology, Enugu State, the Ministry of Education, Abia State, and supporting partners like the Ugwumba Leadership Academy, TheAfricanDream.net, General Electric, Calal Global, the MAI Foundation and Global Shapers, Ozubulu.
Some 289 educators selected from the public, private, and missionary secondary schools across the participating states were present. Source: TheAfricanDream.net
Amid protests, Sierra Leone sells rainforest to China for industrial harbor in $55m deal May
Sierra Leone has sold 100 hectares of beach and protected rainforest to China to construct an industrial fishing harbor. The deal, said to be worth $55 million, was struck by the two countries amidst protest from conservationists, The Guardian has reported.
beach was the most suitable place for construction of the harbor. A statement from the fisheries ministry of the Sierra Leonean government said a waste-management component to recycle marine and other wastes into useful products will be built as part of the project. The government in a press release also noted that a compensation package of 13.76bn leone ($1.3m) has been set aside for affected landowners.
According to the UK newspaper, rights groups, landowners, and conservationists have described the planned construction of the harbor at the Black Johnson beach as “a catastrophic human and ecological disaster”. Two legal groups have written to the govern- “The press release was very vague. It left us wondering how did we arrive here and how come we are ment demanding to see the environmental impact only hearing about this now. We have a right to assessment studies. know more,” Basita Michael, a lawyer for the ILRAJ, told The Guardian. The Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for
Justice (ILRAJ) and Namati Sierra Leone want the government to show that the beach was the most suitable for construction “in terms of bathymetry, social safeguards (minimum resettlement costs) and environmental issues.” Coming under the Sierra Leone 2013 Right to Access Information Act, the groups are demanding to see a copy of the grant agreement between China and Sierra Leone.
The demands of the groups come on the heels of claims by the Sierra Leonean government that the
James Tonner, a Sierra Leonean who owns land at Black Johnson with his mom, has called on the country’s president to halt the project as it could be disastrous for the country’s environment and the planet at large. The rainforest is home to endangered species such as the duiker antelope and pangolins and the waters are rich in sardine barracuda and grouper. Tonner has launched a crowdfunding page to fund a judicial review into the deal, according to The Guardian. “Under the constitution, the government
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can sequester land if it is in the public interest,” Tonner said. “Even if this just a deep-water harbor, it is not in the public interest because it’s not a suitable site. There are fish breeding sites in the lagoon. It will wipe out the local fish people live on.”
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Fisheries, Emma Kowa Jalloh, said people are making a fuss about the project, insisting that nothing untoward was being done. “I would just appeal to people: ‘be patient, we want to be developed, we want to grow, we want to be classified as an upcoming country. There must be development and somebody has to sacrifice.’” She also explained that the project was being built with a Chinese government grant and equity from Sierra Leone in the form of land. https://face2faceafrica.com/
May 2021
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Burna Boy becomes first African musician to hit 100 million Spotify streams on three albums each
Burna Boy is the first African to have three albums streamed separately 100 million times on Spotify. Photo: Burna Boy
associated with music. Her father, Benson Idonije, was a popular radio host and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti’s first band manager. Getting exposed to the music industry and Ogulu was named as one of the 2021 International the Nigerian art world at a young age, Ogulu was inspired to study languages. With a Power Players by Billboard. Billboard’s International Power Players list recognizes indus- Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages and a This revelation was contained in a tweet by music Masters of Arts in translation from the curators Chart Data. Burna Boy’s last three albums, try leaders nominated by their companies and African Giant, Outside and Twice As Tall, have each peers and selected by Billboard’s editors, with pri- University of Port Harcourt, she worked as a translator for the Federation of West African received the 100-million mark appreciation from lis- mary responsibility outside the United States, Chambers of Commerce. teners. This makes the Nigerian, whose real name is Billboard said. Honorees included label executives, music publishers, independent entrepreDamini Ebunoluwa Ogulum, the most sought-after neurs, artist managers and concert promoters. Afrobeats star. The record falls into a better perspective when NII NTREH | Ogulu, also known as Mama Burna, was recogBurna Boy’s works are compared to those of his nized for her work amid the 2020 pandemic, when compatriots among whom include Wizkid and she co-executive-produced, released and promoted Davido. The pair have also attained 100 million https://face2faceafrica.com/ streams on at least one previous album. But togeth- the Twice As Tall album for her Grammy awardwinning son, Burna Boy, Billboard said. er, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido are currently Africa’s most recognizable musical acts globally. Twice As Tall was awarded best global music album Mama Burna herself comes from a proud family igerian Afrobeats star and Grammy Award-winner, Burna Boy has clocked the enviable title of the first African artiste to have at least three albums being streamed 100 million times each on the global audio streaming service platform Spotify.
at this year’s Grammy Awards, and a lot of the praise went for Burna Boy’s mother and manager, Bose Ogulu.
May 2021
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Palearsi Couture Providing Safety And Fashion Amidst Pandemic
my love of fashion with the need for safety in my community, which is how. Palearsi Couture was born in collaboration with my good friends Precious Israel and Ivy Berko-Boateng,” the fashion and health-conscious entrepreneur said. Palearsi Couture is custom-made clothing and accessories specializing in African and European attire for men, women, and children. Some of their products include tops, pants, dresses, bowties, pocket squares, earrings, purses, customized matching print shoes and just to name a few. They are based in Maryland in the US but provide services globally thanks to the power of social media and their website: palearsicouture.com
You can also find out more of Palearsi Couture’s services work that specifically seeks to give back to the community in their quest to join the fight to minimize and eventually alleviate the woes of COVID19 by calling or emailing +1240-316-9870 | couturepalearsi@gmail.com respectively to learn how u can join or benefit from their current focus on providing customized face masks. According to the Zambian native Mwansa their masks come in “‘Combat COVID-19‘ which is a three-layer design that comes with an inside pocket that you can wear with or without a filter. We also have the ‘Quarantine Party’ that is a reversible mask giving the wearer an option of two different print patterns that is double-layered. There’s also the ‘AhHaHa Stay @ Home‘ product, which is a double-layer mask with one pattern print throughout,” for more mask designs and other fashion products and accessories visit their official website.
All their masks come in various color preferences with Palearsi Couture asking that users wash them as often as possible and adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols while staying ahead of the fashion trends too. They are currently running a promotion of 10-15% off all masks, just visit their website and tell them TheAfricanDream.net sent you.
Mwansa M. Changwe has shown up in 2020 as a true Renaissance Woman. She is an African Dancer, Fashion Entrepreneur, Business Woman and proud graduate from the University of the District of Columbia in the United States (US) — and she has also found ways to make people look and while staying fashionable despite the novel coronavirus.
According to TheAfricanDream.net contributor Tony Denis who talked to Ms. Changwe after noticing the circumstances around Covid-19, he observed that Mwansa saw the pandemic as an opportunity to apply her talents and skills to positively address some of the health issues at stake. “This pandemic allowed me to choose to fuse
Source: Tony Denis
SHOULD I SELL NOW or WAIT?
house up for sale soon to take advantage of the current demand, you can wait out the pandemic (however long that takes) for a more vivid picture of the future of the economy, or you can opt to stay in your current home for the foreseeable future.
May 2021
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Francis Boateng Aims to Change Lives as the Creator of Ghana’s First Solar Panel Factory
However, the overall consensus with most experts is that selling your house now, would earn you top dollars. You may also be able to stretch your dollars more with the lowest interest rates we have ever experienced.
I hope this has given you an insight in As the global marketplace shifts to alternative energy, Ghana’s first solar panel factory is stealing the spotlight helping you make some decisions. for what are, perhaps, obvious reasons. Blessings in full portion!
I am always excited to send this information your way, every time I get the opportunity to do so.
The question to sell now or wait has been a back and forth concern for most families in the current real estate market. I hope this piece of literate would shed some light on your concerns and help you make a good informed decision. Heading into 2021, housing market experts are predicting a year of high demand and rising home prices.
After an initial drop in housing market activity last spring coinciding with stayat-home orders and closed businesses, home buying and selling rebounded quickly. Buyers are still eager to move, but the lesser supply of homes on the market in many parts of the U.S. is contributing to rising home prices. As a result, it remains a seller’s market that benefits homeowners who are choosing to sell now. If you're on the fence about selling, you have a few choices: You can put your
For more information about your real estate needs (buying, selling, leasing/renting a house) call me at 571-229-6694 and I will help you get started. Thank you. Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® Samson Properties Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and Maryland
Licensed Life and Health Insurance CONTACT 571-229-6694
Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com Website: borderlessrealestate.com
Francis Akuamoah Boateng built Solar Power Solutions (SPS) in 2016, and since then, his business has been slowly but steadily growing. According to report, Boateng built the factory at a cost of $50 million. Born out of Boateng’s vision for an Africa that was solely dependent on alternative energy, SPS provides “off-grid and grid systems, photovoltaic systems and PV street lights,” per its website. Boateng realized that Ghana needed a solar panel factory when he would walk the streets at night and realize that it was always dark because there wasn’t enough electricity to power the lights.
“So I said to myself, ‘why can’t we have lights around and then I remembered that the national grid cannot extend to those areas?’” he said in an interview.
He also said that it was rare for rural areas in Ghana to have electricity — a commodity the Westernized world takes for granted — which was another reason why he was inspired to establish SPS. Today, Boateng’s son manages the solar panel factory, whose products are exclusively manufactured and distributed in Ghana. In addition to providing jobs and electricity, SPS provides inspiration to the Ghanaian locals, who look to Boateng as an aspirational businessman. https://howafrica.com/
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1635 Woodside Drive Woodbridge VA 22191
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Akwasi Frimpong, Ghana’s First Skeleton Athlete, Offers Nfts To Raise Funds To Compete In The 2022 Winter Olympics -- He's First African To Do This... May 2021
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Akwasi’s NFTs commemorate key moments in his journey, which he dubs The Rabbit Theory, based on a story his track and field coach relayed to him many years ago. 1-of-1 NFTs include the Black Star Helmet, Legacy Helmet, Wakanda Helmet, and the GoldenSprint Spikes. There are also 22 editions of The Rabbit, a painting of Akwasi in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The NFTs will be auctioned on OpenSea.io from May 20th through Monday May 24th. Bidders will have the opportunity to own a piece of history before history is made in 2022. The entire proceeds from two of the NFTs will benefit organizations that helped Akwasi along his journey. One is Right to Play, an international non-profit that empowers vulnerable children to overcome the effects of war, poverty and disease around the world through play. The other is the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Ghana.
“I believe NFTs are the future,” Frimpong said. “I love how they provide a way for my fans to share in my dream of becoming the first African to medal in the Winter Olympics. It’s truly an exciting time for athletes to express their creativity and bring their fans with them on their journey.”
It’s been an arduous journey from growing up in Ghana to sliding down the ice head first at over 80 mph in the Olympic games. Akwasi Frimpong’s dream and relentless focus is to become the first Winter Olympic medalist from Africa. Frimpong, known as The Hope of a Billion, is also an innovator and entrepreneur. And now he’s offering limited edition NFTs to help raise funds, which will give him a realistic shot at winning a medal.
Akwasi has the skills to make his dream a reality. In February last year, he won an elite skeleton event sanctioned by the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation. However, when it comes to the Olympics, countries such as the U.S., Canada and Germany have exorbitant budgets, which provide the very best support personnel, equipment and facilities. Akwasi, no stranger to adversity, just wants to level the playing field.
ABOUT AKWASI FRIMPONG: Born and raised in Ghana, Akwasi Frimpong moved to the Netherlands when he was eight. His athletic career, which started in track and field, includes more than a dozen medals in international events. In 2018 he became the first skeleton athlete from Ghana, and Ghana’s second Winter Olympian. Currently, Akwasi Frimpong is on a mission to become the first Winter Olympic medalist from Africa.
Danny Tawiah | +1 503-329-5059 | team@therabbittheory.com
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After Escaping Boko Haram In 2014, These Chibok Girls Are Now College Graduates
n April 2014, the world was in an uproar when 276 teenage girls were abducted by Boko Haram, the insurgent group that is against girls having any form of western education. Two young girls Joy Bishara and Lydia Pogu were part of the girls kidnapped from their classroom. The world voiced their plight with the hashtag, #BringBackOurGirls. Bishara and Pogu survived the kidnapping, and they are now college graduates ready to make a difference in the world.
The two explained that when they were kidnapped by the rebels, they took the risk of jumping out of a moving truck en route to a forest hideout. Staring at life and death in the face, Bishara boldly chose death for fear of the unknown of what the extremist group could do to her, she said. Pogu and 55 other girls also jumped their way to freedom, preferring broken limbs or death to life with their captors. “I had to decide if I wanted to jump out or go with these people. My choices were to die or go with them, Not knowing what they would do to me, I chose to die,” Bishara told WFLA.
According to PEOPLE, with the help of the
Jubilee Campaign, a humanitarian organization, Pogu and Bishara left their families in Nigeria in August 2014 to the United States to get access to education and be whomever they want to be.
Most of the people in Chibok, a town in northern Nigeria, lack basic amenities and support throughout their daily lives, making them vulnerable to the harsh realities of their world.
In a 2017 interview, they said they wanted to use their education to help people in their hometown Chibok.
The girls have had to endure living miles away from their families. They said living in the States has not always been smooth, especially being away from family during the coronavirus pandemic. However, they are appreciative of the chances they have had and cannot wait to visit home since it has been nearly five years since they saw their people.
They first enrolled in a high school in Virginia for two years and then transferred to the Canyonville Academy in Oregon during their senior year. The pair have always known they would give back to their community while helping others from falling victims to terrorism.
Pogu, 23, and Bishara, 24, got a full-ride scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and social, respectively. The two young women graduated in April from the Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and are poised to give back massively.
Pogu has her eyes set on specializing in human rights law so that she will be able “to bring justice for people,” especially because of the ordeal she and the other girls had to endure. “Because after what happened to me, I felt there was nobody that brought justice for the Chibok girls.”
Bishara looks to set up a community support agency in Chibok to “take in those who have been injured in a violent relationship, have been attacked by the Boko Haram, lost their property, lost their food,” she said.
They both plan to further their education and hope to pursue a master’s degree at the private Christian university — Southeastern University — where they had their bachelor’s.
Today, an estimated 100 girls who Boko Haram abducted in 2014 are still missing and Boko Haram’s presence continues to be life-threatening to children and their education in Nigeria, Voice of America reports. AMA NUNOO -www.face2faceafrica.com
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PARABLES STUDIOS Presents KOLIKO+ — A Home For Family Friendly Ghanaian Animated Content
this repository will include amazing in-house productions from Ghana as well as external works from across the continent. When TheAfricanDream.net spoke to the director of the studio, Cycil Jones Abban, the inspiration behind this initiative, he disclosed that the recent lockdown restrictions that were imposed amidst COVID-19 really sparked of a lot of his ideas for this new creation; “Parents were desperate to find ways of engaging and entertaining their children to save them from the boredom and frustration that came with being severed from the activities they had been used to all their lives,” he said. “They however came to the harsh realization that, the overwhelming majority of child-friendly materials online were foreign and didn’t speak to the kind of contents they were searching for. That was what made me decide to create this online one-stop-shop to house wholesome entertainment for kids, paying particular attention to needs of the African child, who I believe needs to be fairly represented,” he continued, with the confidence of a man who is set to bring about a well calculated change to affect the lives of many in a country he dearly loves and believes in.
Parables Studios, an animation studio based in Accra, Ghana, has launched its online subscription-based streaming service, ‘KOLIKO+’ which is destined to change the way we search for and watch home-made animated contents suitable for the whole family.
are seen sprouting seamlessly from every part of the continent, some even attracting global attention.
Cycil also went on to indicate that the roll out of this plan will be in phases and that Ghanaians and the rest of Africa should brace themselves for what is to come. There are plans afoot for collaborative work with animators across Africa to produce more globally attractive content (some of which will be at studioparables.com) to lure in interests of even non-Africans too.
With a well developed culture of promoting, maintaining and documenting rich Ghanaian traditions, KOLIKO+ is designed to be a repository of the The art of animation finding its way into very best in African animation and Oral ofori the fabric of the African creative comgraphic novels that represents the theafricandream.net munity has created a lot of groundbreak- African narrative. ing animated contents. Such contents TheAfricanDream.net discovered that
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