Afrikan Post august 2017 online version

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Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah Takes Office as Ambassador of Ghana to the United States Pg. 6

Vol 9 Issue 8

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5 Kenyan Teens to Fly to Google HQ After Inventing App to End FGM

Afrikan Post

From the Editor

August 2017

O u r G r eates t G lo r y is n ot in n ever f allin g bu 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 b es t in N ews f r om Af r ica an d th e D ias p or a . You ma y als o vis it o u r webs ite at www.a f r ik an po s t.co m f or d aily n ews u pd ates o n Af r ica.

D is claimer : Th e opin io n s exp r es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews p a per a r e th os e o f th e au th or s an d do n ot n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ik an Pos t . All co mmen ts an d s u g ges tion s a r e welcome.

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Five Kenyan girls are to be flown to Google Headquaters in California, U.S.A , after inventing “I-cut”, an app to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I-cut connects girls at risk of FGM with rescue centres and gives legal and medical help to those who have been cut.

Organisers say the five teenagers, aged 15 to 17, are the only Africans selected to take part in this year’s international Technovation competition, where girls develop mobile apps to end problems in their communities.

“FGM is a big problem affecting girls worldwide. I”t is a problem we want to solve,” Stacy Owino, one of the contestants told the ,media, before flying to the U.S. on Aug. 6.

She said the experience will change their lives.

“Whether we win or not, our perspective of the world and the possibilities it has will change for the better,” Owino said.

UNFPA says one in four Kenyan women and girls have undergone FGM, which involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia, even though it is illegal in the East African nation.

UNICEF also said that 200 million girls and women alive today in 30 countries around the world have been subjected to FMG, a range of procedures that can cause extreme physical and psychological pain, prolonged bleeding, HIV, infertility and death.

http://howafrica.com/Fountain Gate Chapel (FGC) Virginia also known as Mount Zion Pastures presents ’The Watchman Assembly 2017’, a summer prayer conference at their Dumfries Virginia location in the US from August 10 through 13, 2017.

The four-day event will be hosted by FGC Virginia head, Pastor Alex F. Agyemang who is going to be welcoming special guest Pastor Mike Ayikade. Pastor Ayikade will be coming from Ghana, where he is based at Bolgatanga in the Upper the East Region.

Pastor Ayikade is the Senior Associate Pastor to Reverend Eastwood Anaba, President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries that seeks to reposition God’s people through revival for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the nights of Thursday, Friday and Saturday of August 10-12 respectively, the event begins at 7:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). On Sunday the program will be brought to an end beginning at 10:30 AM, EST.

D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 9 Issue 8

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Rihanna Is Giving Out Bicycles to Malawian Girls to Get Them to School on Time

Pg. 9

Kwakwaduam Family Networking and Scholarship Award Night Pg. 10 Ghana adopts ‘Walking Egg’ Technology to produce baby Page 31

Let God Work that Muscle

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Cocktail Reception in honor of Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah; Ghana Ambassador to U.S.

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UPDATE Barack Obama Day’ Is Official Holiday In Illinois Pg. 6

Cocktail Reception in honor of Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah; Ghana Ambassador to U.S. August 2017

His Excellency Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the United States (U.S.) on the morning of Friday, July 21, 2017, presented his letters of credence together with the letter of recall of his predecessor, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Joseph Henry Smith (rtd.), to President Donald J. Trump of the U.S. at the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. in a simple but remarkably brief ceremony.

best that he could.”

As he looked into the future, Ambassador Barwuah said “we have to pull together, because one way or the other we are all committed to making sure that the continent turns around to become the continent that everybody would be enviable of…

Am going to count on your support, am going to count on your encouragement, am going to count on your goodwill to Later on in the evening of that day, the Ambassador interacted make sure that if you succeed, I succeed and if I succeed, you with members of the Washington D.C. diplomatic corps, felalso succeed.” low distinguished guests from respective embassies, the staff Mr. Robert Scott, the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of at the Ghana embassy, members of the Ghanaian community State at Bureau of African Affairs who spoke on behalf of the in the U.S. and the press. They were all invited to attend a U.S. government praised Ghana’s sound socio-economic and cocktail reception in the Ambassador’s honor. political atmosphere.

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His Excellency Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah is the 19th Ambassador of Ghana to the US, prior to this appointment, he was Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan with concurrent accreditation to Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea from 2001-2008 under the President Kufuor administration. He was born in 1942 and is married to Dinah Barfuor-Barwuah, he has 4 children.

Source: Oral Ofori of #TheAfricanDreamLLC

The reception formally presented the new Ambassador to the public. He told the reception he had earlier on presented his written remarks to President Trump and received the U.S. President’s written response as well.

Mr. Scott said Ghana had provided a good reason for which U.S. companies like IBM, Newmont Mining and Coca-Cola among other American interests continue to do business in the country, a reason which has also made “Ghana a potential as a West African hub for American business”. He revealed that Ambassador Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah addresses public “Bilateral trade between our two countries reached $11B in 2016”, and that the U.S. was working to boost that number by Ghana’s development partners were reassured by Ambassador the end of 2018.

Adjei-Bawuah of the country’s continued hospitality and support in providing [the] necessary environment to facilitate the successful establishment of business and investment. “Ghana Also present at the occasion was His Excellency Babacar is ready to play its part in this partnership by our shared comDiagne, Ambassador of Senegal to the U.S., who represented mitment to strengthening democracy, promoting good goverthe Dean of Economic Committee of West African States

nance and sustaining economic growth,” the Ambassador said.

Speaking about his duty, Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah saw it vital to lay a good foundation for the next 60 years (given the fact that Ghana-U.S. relations have been cordial in the past 60yrs) so both countries can continue to enjoy a “tighter and mutually beneficial relationship.” Turning his attention to his staff and the public, the ambassador said it was “never going to be enough for anybody to say that ‘I was there’, it will have to be that ‘I was there, and I did the best that I could‘”.

H.E. Babacar Diagne gives a Brief Welcome Address on behalf of Dean of Ecowas Ambassadors Group

(ECOWAS) Ambassador’s group. Ambassador Diagne acknowledged the work of the out-gone Ambassador, calling “…Ambassador Smith a friend and a remarkable Ambassador for his country.”

King Peggy

Ambassador Barfour Adjei-Barwuah (right) with his wife on the 2nd right and two of their children in a photo

Ambassador Diagne then went on to welcome Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah to his post before praising Ghana’s tremendous pivotal role in Africa as a country that “paved the way for independence for our country”.

The cocktail reception also featured a display of Ghanaian music and food. King Peggy of Otuam who has been an The Ambassador was personally moved by the singing of embassy staff for over 4 decades, and Akosua Okyere-Badoo; Ghana’s alternate national anthem titled ‘yen ara asase ni’ by Head of Diaspora Desk at the Embassy among other embassy Mr. E-B. Asare-Asiedu; Head of Chancery of the Embassy, staff were also present. The African Union Permanent earlier on. The Ambassador recounted the last time he was Representative to the US Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao also moved by ‘yen ara asase ni‘ was when it was sung at an occagraced the occasion. sion in Tokyo, Japan. What made this second time more moving was the fact that Mr. Asare-Asiedu even knew and actually sang the second verse to the song, which Ghanaians rarely hear about or even know how to sing.

Meet Ambassador Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah Ambassador Barfour Adjei-Barwuah (right) with his wife on Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah commended the work of his the 2nd right and two of their children in a photo courtesy of predecessor, noting: “I know and I understand [he] did the AfrikanPost.

Nana Amuah-Afenyi VI (King Peggy), Nana Kwame DarkoAsantefuohene of Washington Metro Area, Otafrebuor Nana Kofi Agyenim Boateng Pedie I and Mrs. Anaman Boateng

Cocktail Reception in honor of Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah; Ghana Ambassador to U.S. August 2017

Mr. Robert Scott, the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State at Bureau of African Affairs. Photo courtesy Oral Ofori.

Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah (2nd right) shakes hands with Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao who is the AU Permanent rep to the U.S., looking on are the Ambassador’s wife and Mr. E-B. Asare-Asiedu (far left); Head of Chancery of the Embassy in the U.S. Photo courtesy www.TheAfricanDream.co

With Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA) Executives

Embassy Staff

Renowned Plastic Surgeon, Dr Michael K Obeng and the AU Ambassador to the U.S

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Barack Obama Day’ Is Official Holiday In Illinois August 2017

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Washington Examiner – President Obama’s birthday is now a state holiday in Illinois.

Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed a bill into law on Friday designating Aug. 4 as officially “Barack Obama Day.”

The new state holiday will be celebrated each year on Obama’s birthday, beginning in 2018.

The bill stated that the holiday will be observed throughout the state in honor of the 44th president of the United States, “who began his career serving the People of Illinois in both the Illinois State Senate and the United States Senate, and dedicated his life to protecting the rights of Americans and building bridges across communities.”

Several lawmakers in both chambers of the state legislature abstained from voting for the bill, but it passed without a single “no” vote.

“It’s incredibly proud for Illinois that the president came from Illinois. I think it’s awesome, and I think we should celebrate it,” said the Governor.

The new holiday is strictly commemorative, meaning that banks will remain open, and no one will get any mandatory paid time-off from work, but instead it will be treated as a “day of acknowledgment and celebration.”

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Nigeria Now Largest Producer Of Cat Fish In Africa

Nigeria has emerged the largest producer of catfish in Africa through the introduction of import reduction and backward integration policy. cat fish.PNG

This feat was announced in Abuja by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during the Think Tank Meeting on Ornamental Fish Trade and Intra-Regional Fish Trade.

The Minister lauded the recent for-

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mation of the African Network of Women Fish Processors and Traders as a platform for women who constitute the major players in fish post-harvest handling and marketing in Africa.

He further pledged that Nigeria would continue to assist in the programmes and activities of bodies like the Association of Ornamental Fish Farmers and Exporters of Nigeria (ADFFEN), Cat fish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) and other relevant bodies.

On his part, the African Union (EU) representative, Simplice Nouala, said Africa is endowed with rich fisheries resources and has immense potentials for contributing significantly to the socio economic growth, rural development and improving livelihoods of its citizens and the potentials can be achieved through fisheries and He said: “Before the present adminisaquaculture sector which include ornatration, Nigeria was spending about mental. $900Million annually on the importation of fish which earned the country Source: howafrica.com the unenviable position as Africa’s largest importer of fish but with the new policy of import reduction and backward integration, Nigeria became the largest producer of Catfish in Africa”.

According to the Minister, the new policy of import reduction and backward integration introduced by the federal government helped to boost local fish production and reduce its import.

Rihanna Is Giving Out Bicycles to Malawian Girls to Get Them to School on Time August 2017

Pop star Rihanna is giving out free bicycles to girls in Malawi as part of a new campaign to get them to attend school. The campaign, called 1 Km Action, is a partnership between Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation and Chinese bike-sharing company Ofo. BBC’s Newsbeat reports that the foundation will fund scholarships to help hundreds of Malawian girls attend secondary school. Those who qualify will receive bicycles to help them get to school.

According to the foundation, there are approximately 4.6 million students across Malawi but only 8% of them manage to complete secondary school.

Malawian officials say long distance traveling is one of the impediments of secondary school completion in the country.

“I’m so happy about the Clara Lionel Foundation’s new partnership with Ofo because it will help so many young people around the world receive a quality education, and also help the young girls of Malawi get to school safely, cutting down those very long walks they make to and from school all alone”, said Rihanna.

The Clara Lionel Foundation, named after Rihanna’s grandparents, aims to support innovative and effective education programs around the world. It encourages teachers and students, advocates and allies to reach across borders to join the fight for the basic right to education for all. It also works to improve health, education, arts and culture around the world.

As part of the foundation’s work, Rihanna visited Malawi in January, spending a weekend in the capital Lilongwe. She spent the visit meeting with government officials, stakeholders in education and students of Lilongwe Girls Secondary school.

Rihanna is actively involved with several other humanitarian efforts which has seen her partner with the Global Partnership for Education and Global Citizen on a multi-year initiative to support education across the world.

In recognition of her work, Harvard University honored her earlier this year with the 2017 Humanitarian of the Year distinction.

MARK BABATUNDE www.howafrica.com

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Rwanda election: President Paul Kagame wins by landslide

The remaining eight opposition parties did not put forward a candidate and instead backed President Kagame.

The president previously called the election "just a formality".

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has won a third term in office with a landslide, the country's electoral commission has announced.

Partial results of Friday's election gave him 98% of the votes, it said.

Mr Kagame's supporters, who say that he has brought stability and economic development after the horrors of the 1994 genocide, began celebrating before the announcement.

Critics - most of whom are outside the country - say he rules through fear.

After his victory, Mr Kagame vowed to keep up the country's economic growth.

"This is another seven years to take care of issues that affect Rwandans and ensure that we become real Rwandans who are [economically] developing," Mr Kagame said in a speech broadcast on live television.

Mr Kagame, who has been in power for 17 years, was challenged by Frank Habineza, from the Democratic Green Party, and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent.

Another independent challenger, businesswoman and rights activist Diane Shima Rwigara, was disqualified by the electoral commission.

Mr Kagame, 59, came to power in 1994, when his Tutsi rebel group took control of the capital, Kigali, ending the genocide in which some 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.

Rwanda's constitution was amended in 2015, following a referendum, enabling Mr Kagame to run for a third term.

Beyond this, he could run again, potentially staying in power until 2034.

His two challengers have complained that their supporters have been intimidated, which they say explains the low turnout at their rallies.

The candidates have also accused some local authorities of undermining their campaigns.

The ruling party denies any accusations of wrongdoing.

Seen as military genius His rebel forces helped end 1994 genocide he has been in power ever since Twice invaded much larger neighbour, DR Congo Accused of suppressing the opposition and ordering assassination of critics Sees Singapore and South Korea as models economy growing at 7% a year Champions women's rights; most MPs are women

August 2017

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Gunmen Invade Catholic Church, Kill 47 in Anambra

By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Unknown gunmen Sunday morning August 6 invaded St. Philip's Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State and opened fire on worshippers who had attended the morning mass.

THISDAY gathered that about 47 persons were killed in the attack, with several others wounded and are already being attended to at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital(NAUTH), Nnewi.

THISDAY gathered that the death toll is still on the increase as some injured victims are said to have also relapsed to death.

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iting his house, but were not lucky as their target had fled on getting wind of their presence.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Umar Baba Garba, has debunked reports of the number of deaths, saying that only eight people died in the attack, while 18 others were injured. He also said that the report that the men came in their number was untrue, saying that only one gun man carried out the attack.

Garba assured Nigerians that the police were still investigating the matter and that all was under control.

It was gathered that the gunmen had stormed http://allafrica.com the church in search of a drug baron after vis-

Kwakwaduam Family Networking and Scholarship Award Night It also offered the opportunity for the award of Scholarships to Children of members entering Colleges and Universities in the current year. This is in consonance with the Ama Oforiwah Scholarship Award established by the Organization to immortalize the first President of the Organization who died some years ago. Recipients of this year’s award were

Gustave L. Ofori Cornel University, New York Salome Korantema Saforo University of Buffalo, NY Kumi Akua Owusu Harold Washington College, Chicago Irwing Kofi Frimpong Lafayette College, New York Rachel Asante Manhattan College, New York

Commenting on the evening the President, Mr Mark Saforo thanked all the families for making it to the event and providing the food and logistics to make it an amazing success and event to remember. He said he was indeed pleased with Bronx New York – The Kwakwaduam Association of New York has celebrated the motivation of the Kids to achieve higher heights and its Family Networking and Scholarship Award Night, on Saurday August 5th in implored all the families to continue to work hard towards New York. The evening offered an opportunity for member families to meet and their Kids education. He said a Mentorship program to be network and discuss parenting issues and how to resolve those issues by collab- headed by Dr. Asiedu is being established to assist Families in mentoring their children and helping with carrier orating with other.

Choices.

Dr. Kwame Aniapam Boafo, a Consultant to the Organization said he was exceedingly pleased at the quality of the event and praised the President and the Executive for daring put up such an incredible evening. He said it was against the background that Ama Oforiwa is his Sister that he was all the more excited. He admonished the Kids to continue their dreams with passion and act as Ambassadors to spread the Mission of the Organization.

Nana Yaa Boahema I, Kuronti Tufuhemaa of Akwapim was present to add color and a queenly advice to the occasion, asking the kids to stay out of trouble.

Francis Boanoh Christian Journal

Let God Work that Muscle

put my body through what it needs to look a certain way and feel a particular way. Having said that, I find that there are certain exercises that I prefer to do and some that I do not like at all. There are some muscles I choose to exercise and others, not so much! For example, I like working on my arms and shoulders so I always go for the weights, gradually increasing them, and do the exercises that work those areas. I like sit-ups and over the years, I have grown to do many sit-ups. I can do as many as 500 sit-ups in a few minutes if I have to. But then there are the other exercises I cannot stand to do. I hate push-ups! I hate them. For me, they are harder than sit ups and I would rather not do them. I couldn’t and didn’t want to do them in gym class as a teen and I would lay on the gym floor face down when my gym teacher was not looking or until the pushups requirement was over. As a result, over the years, I never did Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah them, while I did other forms of exercise.

Now in my adult life, if I have to do push-ups, I pray that I do “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter vari- not do more than six or ten and even with that, I will be grumbling ous trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces and complaining throughout the exercise and yet complain even endurance.” (James 1:2-3) when I am done! There is a particular strength training and aerobic video I have come to love and in those 30 minutes of that video, I A recent joke I shared with a close friend about overcomonly have to do a total of 12 push-ups, yes only 12, but you would ing a trial is what brings about the writing of this article. My think I was being asked to do 100! I have been doing this workout friend had been worried for my husband and me during our an average of two times a week for one year, and yet, while I can recent trial so much more than we were worried ourselves. now do all the push-ups, still, I don’t like them and I would prefer After the trial, in conversation with our friend, I was sharing not to do them at all. Push-ups work not only your arms but your that it is an area that God has repeatedly worked so that particu- shoulders, back and abs. It is an important strengthening exercise lar area does not bother us much anymore. We know God will that tests your upper body strength. It is much needed. The point is do it, because He has always done it. I likened it to a muscle challenges we do not like and unfortunately do not embrace are ones that you work all the time in your exercise routines so you are we should try so that we can become better at them, because they able to challenge that muscle as opposed to other muscles that have a purpose, to make us stronger, to increase our endurance. you do not work often. The tried area will be stronger while I don’t know of anyone who would rather go through tests, trithe untried will be weaker. My friend responded with, “I hope als and tribulations instead of having a challenge and drama free God does not work that particular muscle in my life” and we life. There hasn’t been a time in my life where I said to God, “Lord, both burst out in laughter. It was a moment of levity, but he you haven’t brought any difficulties in my way recently, please was serious and I understood. bring some on!” Never. And I don’t think I will either, but there Ei, trials and tribulations are not easy oo! And tests are not have been times when even during my difficulties, even during my easy either. Yet we face them and will continue to face them. challenges, I get excited, because I know that what God will have If we know anything at all, aside for the assurance of Christ for me at the other end will be huge. Why? Because He has done it being with us and heaven being ahead of us, we can be assured over and over again. The Bible tells us that “all things work togethfrom the word of God that we will face trials, tests and tribula- er for good to them that love God, to them who are called according tions. Just refer to Exodus and other parts of the Old Testament to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). If anything, I know God loves me and see for yourself. Even when God has promised us all sorts and that I am called by His purpose and we as Christians have all of blessings and favor, even when He has freed us from the been called for His purpose, not so much ours. So if we are called hands of the Pharaohs and the Goliaths, even when He has

by His purpose, can we possibly think we can tell Him what sort of emancipated us after 70 years of Babylonian captivity and tests, trials and tribulations He should bring our way? Do we say, given us all the papers and resources we need to rebuild that “Lord, I can deal with losing my job but I can’t deal with a Temple of Solomon, even when His angels withstand the Prince Christian sister gossiping about me or slandering my name. Or I of Persia on our behalf and even when He has promised us that can’t abide someone trying to undermine me so please don’t let this He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us, not to happen to me? Do we say, Lord, I can handle a spouse’s infidelity harm us, but to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:1), we but not a child’s waywardness? We cannot determine what muscles will still face trials, tests and tribulations. So let us be ready or parts of the body He should work. Of course we have to pray to and brave enough to gird ourselves and work through those keep the enemy at bay and we have to abide in Him as Job did so challenges alongside God, because despite what they are, He is we know we are in right standing with Him and not bring any always with us. unnecessary difficulties on ourselves.

As I was telling our friend, some tests/trials are repeated in The question is, if we are in God, and He is our Lord and our lives and God does this to work that particular muscle for Savior, then it is really up to Him, isn’t it? For nearly twenty years, ours and His benefit. It works for our benefit because we grow my husband and I have had our share of tests and trials, but God has stronger in faith and mature in Him while it works to His bene- brought us out of all of them. As the Bible tells us, “many are the fit, because as a Father, He can look to His children and be afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them proud of their advancement and that they will stand boldly to all” (Psalm 34:19). This particular trial was once very much feared testify of His goodness, mercy and faithfulness. Our testiby both of us, but God in His infinite wisdom, love and mercy has monies of God’s workings and miraculous performances in our tested us with it numerous times that we are beginning to master it. lives will never drive anyone away, but rather draw them closer All the same, I didn’t desire that my husband and I should go to God. So while I am not saying we should be boasting “bring through it again. Who wants that? I would have preferred that them on God!” we also shouldn’t be so afraid of what He will things continued to go as well as they were going in our lives, but allow tomorrow to bring, because He is the architect sitting on the enemy came challenging and the Lord allowed him to wage war.

His throne with our best interest at heart.

In the beginning of our latest challenge, we were nervous, but we You see, I love working out not just because of how it helps looked to God. We thought after all, it will probably be for only a me look, but mostly because of how it makes me feel. few days, and then we thought, only two weeks or so but it went on Running, briskly walking on the treadmill or using the elliptical for several weeks and the weeks turned into a couple of months. makes me feel great and also empowered. I feel even more We thought surely it shouldn’t go beyond two months, but then it empowered when I do my forty minutes kickboxing routine. As went on and on! We prayed all along and looked to God. But we a result, I return to the gym and my exercise routines weekly to believed and knew that God was in control and that all will be well.

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I kept saying to God during my prayer times, “God, we’ve been here before. We’ve been here before. You have taken us through this several times and you brought us out.” I would say to Him that I am not going to complain; and that I will not behave like the children of Israel in those instances they forgot the multiple times God had delivered them. So we held on and believed. Sometimes, we went days or a week or more without even praying fervently about it, because we just had a peace and restfulness about the situation and knew God would do it. It wasn’t that we took it for granted. It was because we believed and our faith in that area had been tested multiple times. It went on for nine full months and the Lord finally gave us our breakthrough and reward. We were joyous that our faith had been affirmed and our God had demonstrated His place in our lives yet again. That God did it in precisely nine months for us also confirmed that He was at the helm of things, because He often speaks to us symbolically to confirm that He allowed a trial and that He was in control the entire time. He was preparing to birth a new situation in our lives and He did.

Now had we complained and grudgingly gone through this episode as we did the first time the Lord allowed it to befall us, not only will it not have quickened it, but it would have possibly prolonged it and definitely displeased God. If anything I learned, in the book of Exodus, it is that God hates grumbling and murmuring. Also, the fact is if God had not dealt with us in this same aspect of our lives before, we wouldn’t have been so calm and trusting that He would bring us out. The truth is that the more God takes us through trials, tests and tribulations, the more we grow and learn. In fact, we generally grow in faith when we go through a trial and pass, and this faith affects our choices and our relationship with and dependence on God. When He works one area repeatedly, He wants us to become very strong in that area as well as stronger in Him. He wants us to become sharpened, tested, so we can be steadfast and immoveable.

I am heartened that the Lord wants me to grow in Him and to be toughened. While tests in this area are yet challenging, there are other areas that cause me more grief and heartache. When these tests hit, I feel more hurt and bothered, especially when I know I am living right. I feel I don’t deserve them. I become frustrated and sometimes the pain of going through them is so real that I can literally feel a breaking and a burdening in my heart. But I am also learning that He wants me to become dead to myself in those areas. Like our friend, I wish the Lord would not work certain muscles, because conditioning them hurt so much.

Surely, there is a level of maturity that God wants all of us to achieve. While I might be advancing well in one respect, I am not so much excelling in another area since I can give it the potential to consume me. Sometimes during these difficult challenges, I have to do all I can in my physical and spiritual power so that I do not lash out to my own detriment. And somehow, miraculously and by God’s own grace, I haven’t resorted to that. I can see what He is doing, but wish He wouldn’t so that I could be free to be. But He is the Master, the Teacher, the Trainer and He knows what exercises and tasks we need to move us closer and closer to accomplishing the purpose He has for our lives.

So my dear sisters and brothers, let us remember that when God allows a test in our lives, He is functioning as the good teacher whose only desire is to bring the best out of His student. Let us be determined to be strong and fight the good fight He presents us, knowing what He expects from and hopes for us.

Dr. Miriam Gyimah is available for speaking engagements.

You may contact her at newepistlespress@outlook.com

August 2017

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GSTS North America Alumni raises $22,000 for Alma Mater at 10th Anniversary Dinner Dance

The Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) Alumni Association of North America (GAA) successfully raised a net amount of about $22,000 as they celebrated their 10th Anniversary and Annual Convention at a Fundraising Dinner Dance themed ‘The Role of the GAA – The Past, Present and the Future’. This happened on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in the United States (US) at the Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church, Virginia.

The amount raised was part of the launch of a major fundraising effort to raise $200,000 for the first phase of a sanitation project involving the construction of new bathrooms and toilet facilities aimed at helping improve sanitary conditions. Long term projects will see the implementation of a solar electric project to power the school, and laboratory and workshop modernization among other critical infrastructure upgrades within the school which was established on August 9, 1909.

Mr. Samuel K. Essel, the present Headmaster of GSTS and Wing Commander William K. Kekrebesi ’71 and ’73 (Rtd), the President of the GAA were keynote speakers at the event.

In his welcome address, Giant Dr. Emmanuel (Lee) Idun, a structural engineer urged all alumni, parents, and friends of GSTS to give generously to help provide top class education for current and future students of GSTS.

Several old students of GSTS — known as ‘Giants’ while having fun, enthusiastically donated to their alma mater during the event. This included the special guest Commodore Steve Obimpeh (Rtd) of ’61 year group who is a former Navy Commander and Minister for Health and Agriculture in Ghana. Other major donors were Giant Mr. Charles Kumi ’76, Giant Mr. Charles Nkrumah Ofori ’73, Giant Dr. Ernest Ofori-Darko MD ’78 ’80 and Giant Professor Yaw D. Yeboah ’69 ’71 who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the GAA.

In an interview with TheAfricanDream.net, Giant Commodore Steve Obimpeh (Rtd) said he was really excited to have been part of this year’s event. The occasion gave him an opportunity to know at firsthand the difficulties the school faces while at the same time, inspiring him to become a part of the solution.

“At the time we were in GSTS there were just about 252 students, today the student population is over 2000”, said Commodore Obimpeh who felt that due to the low number of students at his time “we were provided with everything we needed, and that allowed us to focus more on our studies which resulted in the school producing some of the best persons that have played pivotal roles in the development of Ghana.”

The Commodore felt excited to be part of those rekindling the spirit of the GAA as it was time to give back to help raise the image of the school so an appreciable level of comfort could be provided to its students today to allow them to focus more on their academics.

Giant Charles Nkrumah Ofori shared Commodore Obimpeh’s sentiment and told TheAfricanDream.net that he is now a Certified Public Accountant running his own firm in the Washington DC area because of the strong foundation he received from GSTS. Today “I am here to

try to help the school to become much better…” Giant Ofori went on to advise students of the school today to realize that “there is something magical about GSTS and that once you left the school, it was expected of you to do well with yourself, so take whatever you are learning seriously no matter what academic discipline you are engaged in.”

A significant thing about the 10th anniversary event was the increased number of participation of old students which according to Giant Prof Yeboah was very important because “if we have a lot more people participating always, then no matter how small an amount they give it could become a big figure when put together in the end.”

The BOT Chairman is famed for becoming the first person to receive four separate degrees in four years from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1975 after he had won a scholarship upon completing his studies at GSTS in 1971. Giant Professor Yeboah has over 3 decades of academic research, leadership and teaching experience in project management and chemical engineering from prestigious academic and professional institutions across the US.

GSTS - 2017 North America Alumni gathering dining

He told TheAfricanDream.net who were media partners for the event, that, his four-degrees-in-four-years feat at MIT was solely attained on the back of “very hard work”, he explains: “There is really no secret behind it, it was really all about lots of hard work, plus I was lucky to have had a very good foundation from GSTS, which I very much appreciate to this day.”

As a token of the school’s appreciation of the GAA, the school’s Headmaster presented the North America Alumni Chapter with a Citation and also invited all of its members to attend the 108th edition Speech-and-Prize-Giving day in Ghana come November 2017. He was also thankful to the GAA for organizing tours of some US high schools during his visit. According to him, this has opened up opportunities for collaborations and sharing of ideas that could be used for professional development of teachers and staff as well as to administer the school in general.

GSTS which is the third oldest school in Ghana turned 108 years in 2017. The school is a Science and Technology oriented high school that has been at its present location in Takoradi, Ghana since 1939. It was called Accra Technical School when it was first founded in 1909. It then became the Government Technical School and then, Government Secondary Technical School until 1970 when it got renamed as Ghana Secondary Technical School. Enrolled students are called Tescans. More information about the school is available at www.gsts-takoradi.org

Alumni Association of North America, 2017

2017 North America Alumni gathering group

GAA- North America was formed to foster growth, academic, and infrastructure development as well as student motivation at their alma mater. It is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity in the US. For more information about their activities, to contact them or to donate visit www.gstsnorthamerica.com

Source: Oral Ofori / #TheAfricanDreamLLC

Headmaster (middle) during tour of some US High Schools

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Ghana Catholic Community Church Summer Picnic

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The Ghana Catholic Community of the Diocese of Arlington, VA is a vibrant community of Ghanaian Catholics who celebrate mass every Sunday led by our pastor Rev. Fr. Anthony Appiah.

The church community is part of the Queen of Apostles Parish, a Roman Catholic Church located in Alexandria, Virginia.

Queen of Apostles is within the Diocese of Arlington, which is under the direction of Most Reverend Michael Francis Burbidge.

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Father Anthony Appiah’s 25th Celebration of Priestly Ordination

Father Anthony Appiah, Pastor of the Ghanaian Catholic Community of the Arlington Diocese at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, was born in Ghana in 1963.

He was ordained in Ghana oin July 11, 1992. Since 2012, he has been in residence at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church.

CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for your many years of generous service to the people of God

Rev. Father Anthony Appiah

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‘True Worshippers’ Conclude Prayer and Worship Conference in Virginia August 2017

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worship and workshops put together by a ministry seeking to fulfill scripture by bringing the youth in their community together to worship the Father in spirit and in truth, beyond Sunday.

Malcolm’s first encounter with the Lord took place at a True Worshippers Conference in 2012 and this year he came expectant. He had been waiting on the Lord for a specific spiritual gift and during the third session of the weekend: ‘A Night of True Praise & Worship’ on Saturday night, he received exactly what he had been asking for and was even able to put it to use.

There were many others like Malcolm. Some received prophecies, awakening them to the purpose God has deposited in them.

The True Worshippers ministry was founded in 2009 by Yaw Osei Owusu, who had a desire to bring God’s people together to teach, encourage and support them in their ventures to be like Christ, through constant prayer and worship.

The North American-based ministry has a leg in the DMV metropolitan area and one in Canada. They host three different events each year, open to the general public. The ‘Spirit of Leadership’ conference kicks off the year, bringing together students and young professional from all over the US to discuss the ways to navigate the professional playing field while remaining true to the calling Christ has for each individual.

The next event is ‘Victorious Secrets’ explores the very crucial arena of relationships. Everything from the hardships to the triumphs and quirks are laid out on the table by guests and attendees who are single, in relationships or are married.

The ‘True Worshippers’ conference is the group’s signature event which takes place in the summer. It is a weekend that

embodies the essence of John 4:23. Attendees experience their God as they spend time in His presence and acknowledge Him for who He is through prayer, worship and fellowship.

Because the ministry believes true worship is a lifestyle, over the course of the year, they jump at various volunteering and evangelism opportunities, to demonstrate the love of Christ.

They remain in prayer and exhortation each week of the year.

True Worshippers is also passionate about expanding its team and reach. If you’d like to get involved or offer your support, please check out the website:... and send any queries to …

A Sunday-fix praise won’t do. God has not called us to live insular lives. Rather worship and Spirit-led living should be the Christian’s tool to reach out to souls from all walks of life, in service.

This is a truth that sunk in for Malcolm during True Worshippers DMV’s annual ‘True Worshippers Conference’ which took place from the 21st to the 23rd of July 2017. This was not Malcolm’s first time attending the weekend of prayer,

Founder of True Worshippers, Yaw Osei Owusu, led the first session of the weekend: ‘When Worshippers Pray’ alongside guest pastor, Christian Gyamfi. He urged attendees to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit through prayer. The message was followed by intensive prayer sessions bringing healing and deliverance.

The second session: ‘School of True Worship’, designed to be interactive’ took place on Saturday morning and attendees were able draw from the word of knowledge and experiences of veteran musicians, instrumentalists and ministers from the US and the African diaspora including Ose Burnett, Adam Knapp, Denzel Prempeh, Jumbo, Jeremiah Hicks and Joe Mettle.

True Worshippers DMV’s choir performed alongside guests ministers Denzel Prempeh, Joe Mettle, and Ose Burnett in the final session on Saturday night while Travis Greene took a deep dive into the word of God to remind attendees of their identity in Christ and the hope that it comes with.

The conference is in it’s 9th year and each year it grows in size and diversity, the miracles are many and marvelous, but more importantly, the conviction to transform a Sunday morning fix into a daily lifestyle is resounding.

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Edusei Foundation Holds Youth Workshop in Virginia

Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei

For the past four years, the Edusei Foundation has organized series of workshops in various cities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ghana. The foundation empowers young Ghanaian students to discover their potential by pairing them with young professionals who coach and introduce the youth to emerging technologies and also assist them with information on various academic disciplines.

In their pursuit of academic and professional excellence, the Foundation hosted a Youth and leadership development Workshop in Northern Virginia, the USA on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the Embassy Suites in Springfield, Virginia.

The event took off with a traditional cultural display by the Maryland based Pan African Arts Center for African Cultures led by Kwame Ansah Brew. The cultural display incited the youth interest in their native culture as a befitting curtain raiser to the Professional Workshop.

Dr. Kwame Edusei, a Physician, diplomat, business executive and founder of the Edusei Foundation set the ball rolling by giving an insight into his motivation behind the setting up of the foundation and his commitment to instilling positivity in the youth in their endeavors to pursue their careers with a positive mental attitude. He said one of the main challenges hampering societal development is what in the Akan local parlance referred to as “aboro” being the act of bringing others down. He, therefore, admonished the youth to eschew negativity and pursue their dreams with positivity. As a medical practitioner, he advised the youth to maintain healthy lifestyles by avoiding smoking and eating right.

Dr. Edusei acknowledged the presence of Bernadette Paolo the former CEO of The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa, and Patricia Baine the current President of the Africa Society of the National Summit After the introduction by Dr. Kwame Bawuah Edusei professional Graduates from prestigious institutions took turns to take the youth through career choices.

Ms. Joyce Williams – An attorney gave a presentation of the career paths to get into law school and various options to specialize in the law career.

Chris Kwabena Gyan Baffour a Howard University trained Information Systems Consultant picked up the baton and went through various IT careers and opportunities. He challenged and admonished them on their potential to develop their own online apps.

Claudia Serebour, a Doctoral Candidate and Graduate student at Howard University delved into Professions in the Health Sciences; Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, Nursing and Dentistry and their expected remunerations. She performed a scientific experiment in the course of her presentation to catch their attention and explained that as her motivation to choose a career in the health sciences.

Sandra Ayensu, A Cyber Security and Project Management Specialist concluded the presentation with a thorough knowledge of what IT specialists do in the daily activities and their expectations.

Questions and answers were shelved for the break out session where they were divided into various groups by professions where the young students had a one on one interaction with the professionals.

Ms. Sandra Ayensu took them through the working process of 3D printing which she had made available at the workshop. Also, a young high school student who had developed an online game application took the youth through the application processes. .

After several hours of interaction and coaching the youth were feted to various continental dishes with their parents.

The event came to a conclusion with the Foundation presenting certificates of attendance, and Edusei Foundation T shirts to all the students and thereafter Dr. Edusei and his family had a photo session with everyone.

Panelists

Some of the Participants Showing Off their Certificates

Breakout Sessions

3D Printing Demonstration

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Trump Administration May Sue U.S. Colleges That Admit Blacks, Minorities with Affirmative Action

Civil-rights activists say they fear the Trump administration is seeking to scrap the affirmative action program that is designed to bring more minority students to university campuses. Photo Credit: Blacklivesmattersus

The Trump administration is considering suing U.S. colleges and universities that have used Affirmative Action as as basis to promote the admission of Black and minority students in to their institutions.

The New York Times reports that it has obtained documents showing that the U.S. Justice Department is looking to hire new lawyers who are interested in taking on the new project for “investigations and possible litigation related to intentional race-based discrimination in college and university admissions.”

The announcement is reportedly raising eyebrows since the project will be run out of the Civil Rights Division that is staffed by Trump’s political appointees rather than its Educational Opportunities Section, which is run by career civil servants who normally handle work involving schools and universities.

While many have described the wording of the Department’s memo as vague, there are realistic fears that the Trump administration is seeking to scrap the Affirmative Action program that is designed to bring more minority students to university campuses.

In the United States, the affirmative action program in colleges and universities provides opportunities to historically disadvantaged persons within society, including women and ethnic minorities, so they can achieve their full academic potential.

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2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Summit

Office of the Spokesperson, Department of State, Washington, DC

Representatives of the U.S. Government, private sector, and civil society met with nearly 1,000 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa during the State Department-sponsored Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit from July 31-August 2, in Washington, DC. The Mandela Washington Fellowship and Summit fosters and builds relationships that support and expand U.S.-Africa cooperation on shared goals the continent.

The Summit, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, will feature an Expo with more than 100 organizations engaged with Africa, as well as a Congressional Forum and other leadership and networking sessions. The young African leaders are convening in Washington after six weeks of academic study and leadership training at 38 higher education institutions across the United States as part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Alumni of the Fellowship are playing a role in strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, the United States’ effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Government and is supported in its implementation by IREX. http://www.amipnewsonline.org

Critics of affirmative action say it discriminates against Whites and even Asian Americans and is no longer needed in today’s multiracial America.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected admission quotas based on race but ruled that race and affirmative action could be one of the factors universities use in evaluating and accepting prospective applicants.

Supporters of affirmative action say the program is necessary to help compensate for centuries of racial, social, and economic oppression in the United States. They add that the program promotes the much-needed cultural diversity on university campuses and the larger society.

In May, President Donald Trump sparked controversy, after he suggested that a funding program for Historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCU) may be unconstitutional.

A statement initially released by the White House, suggested that the $20 million fund set aside to enable to HBCUs finance their construction projects could amount to the unconstitutional allocation of money on the basis of race and ethnicity.

Mark Babatunde Source: howafrica.com

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About 40 Mandela Washington Fellows visited Ghana Embassy in Washington DC to meet with Ambassador, Dr Baffuor Agyei Bawuah

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Galaxy Intl. school wins Gold at Science competition in USA

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UI Faculty Help African Entrepreneurs Build Businesses In Their Home Countries

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also sells fish food to fish farms in nearby Lake Victoria.

Okech’s operations are relatively simple, a corrugated steel shack with a bagging machine that puts the feed into cloth sacks. He employs 12 workers and a cat that keeps rodents at bay.

Johanns met Okech after he gave a lecture about continuous improvement and LEAN principles to the YALI fellows last summer. In May, they talked about helping Okech’s company grow through continuous improvement and other strategies introduced in class last year.

Ghana’s celebrated International School, Galaxy international school, has won a gold medal at Genius science Olympiad held at Oswego USA by State University of New York.

This year’s competition which saw entries of over 1,100 projects from 71 countries across the globe, was the 7th edition since 2011, and the first to be topped by a School from Ghana.

The students, Alex Amankwa-Asare and Tom Rashad Van der Grinten, designed an automated irrigation system using Arduino micro controller and soil moisture sensor.

The system is programmed such that if there is a need for water by plants, the microprocessor automatically identifies it through the soil moisture sensor; this automatically activates water pumps to water the plants until there is enough moisture in the soil.

Several soil moisture sensors are used in the field so that only sections that require humidity are watered.

The significance of the project is that, it prevents farmers from wasting water by watering only sections of their farms that need water; it identifies portions of the land that needs water and accordingly pumps water to that portion and thereafter deactivates through the moisture sensor when there is enough water in the soil.

This project competed in the Science category and won gold medal.

GENIUS Olympiad is an international high school project competition on environmental issues founded and organized by the Terra Science and Education.

This year’s competition was climaxed with a trip to the Niagara Falls, the international cultural fair and university fair.

So far, Galaxy international school has brought several international honours to Ghana; winning 9 gold medals, 16 silver medals, 27 bronze medals and 42 honourable mentions in international Science Olympiads and Project Competition.

About Galaxy International The school, which was established in 2001, has students from more than 35 nationalities, including Ghana, United States of America, Canada, England, Turkey, China, Nigeria, South Africa and Gabon.

Galaxy also offers scholarships as part of its social responsibility to give opportunities to all and sundry by conducting exams for students from outside the school to write each year.

About 30 per cent of the students are on scholarship, and there are different scholarship packages available in order to cover as many students as possible.

– By: citifmonline.com/Ghana http://howafrica.com/

BY: TOM SNEE | 2017.06.14 | 09:35 AM Lulayn Awgichew quickly caught Dimy Doresca’s attention when she participated in the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) last summer at the University of Iowa.

“She had specific goals that she wanted to achieve for her business in Ethiopia and knew what she wanted to learn during her fellowship,” says Doresca, director of the UI’s Institute for International Business in the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) and YALI coordinator. “It gave her the motivation she needed, a wake-up call to see that her business had potential.”

As a new group of fellows arrives on campus this week to participate in the 2017 YALI program, some UI faculty are still working with last year’s participants. Doresca and Patrick Johanns, a member of the management sciences faculty in the Tippie College of Business and JPEC, each received one of just 50 follow-up grants the U.S. State Department awarded for U.S. faculty to visit YALI alumni in their home countries and provide hands-on entrepreneurial support.

Awgichew and her husband operate Bilset Agritech, a pesticide and agricultural equipment sales business in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Doresca spent 10 days there in January helping develop a growth strategy. He says pest control is a high-growth business in Addis Ababa because few other businesses provide the service in the city of more than 3 million people. Among Awgichew’s clients are the offices of multinational companies, foreign embassies, and many homeowners from expatriate communities.

“They’re running their business very well, and I can see them get to $3 million in revenue by 2020. And that’s a lot of money in Ethiopia,” Doresca says. “It was great to see what she’s doing to make a difference in her own country.”

Doresca also conducted a half-day training session on global entrepreneurship with 20 former YALI fellows in Ethiopia held at the U.S. embassy there.

Similarly, Johanns spent eight days in May with David Okech, who operates a high-quality animal feed mill called Sare Millers in Kisumu, Kenya. Okech’s primary clients are farmers throughout Kenya, and he

“Continuous improvement is well-suited for any entrepreneur because it focuses their thinking on what you do and how you can do it better by cutting out waste,” says Johanns, who teaches continuous improvement and LEAN principles of business management in Tippie’s Iowa MBA program. “We applied a lot of those lessons I talked about last year in his business.”

Johanns also worked with a program Okech operates that teaches entrepreneurialism to teenage girls by helping them start home-based businesses selling eggs.

Called Sare Girl, it gives free chicks to girls, who then raise the birds to adults and sell the eggs. Okech says one girl kept the fertilized eggs and incubated them to raise more chickens so she could sell both eggs and chickens. Johanns says Sare Girl teaches the basics of running a business—keeping the books, managing supply, opening a bank account—in a culture that doesn’t offer much education to young girls.

He brought T-shirts with him from the Iowa Egg Council and Iowa Poultry Association that the girls proudly wore, he says, and he hopes to line up a corporate sponsor from Iowa to help fund the program.

YALI 2017 A group of 25 young African business and government leaders will be on the University of Iowa campus this summer to learn about the American economy and business management. The fellows are participating in the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, and will take what they learn back home to develop stronger businesses and government organizations in their countries.

This year’s 25 fellows are among the 1,000 selected from sub-Saharan countries to participate with numerous colleges and universities across the United States.

They will spend six weeks in Iowa participating in entrepreneurial education programs on the UI campus in Iowa City and also touring the state.

The program runs from June 16 to July 31. https://now.uiowa.edu

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Top 10 Countries With The Highest Black Population Outside Africa!!

10. Trinidad and Tobago

7. Jamaica

Africans came to Cuba during the sixteenth and seventeenth century when the country was a Spanish colony.

Jamaica is one of the few countries on our list in which black population represents the majority of the population.

Black Population 1,200,000+

Black Population 2,900,000+

4. Dominican Republic Black Population 7,800,000+

The first black slaves brought to Jamaica did not come directly from Africa but were either Africans, or the descendants of Africans, who had been enslaved for a time in Spain.

6. Columbia

Black Population 4,800,000+

Out of Columbia’s 48,000,000 population, about 10% is black.

3. Haiti

Black Population 9,000,000+

9. United Kingdom

95% of the Haitian population is black. Haiti is the first country in the Western hemisphere to abolished slavery.

Black Population 1,900,000+

They say the black population is better educated than the white population there, 27% of the black population has had at least some college education compared to 13% of the white population.

5. France

Black Population 5,000,000+

Blacks living in France have an African or Caribbean origin.

8. Venezuela

Black Population 2,600,000

2. United States

Black Population 45,000,000+

It is estimated that by 2060, black population in the US will reach 80 million.

1. Brazil

Black Population 80,000,000+

With almost 80 million residents with African origins, Brazil ranks first on our list of the top 10 countries with highest black population outside Africa.

Trivia

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ?A woman tells her husband that she is going to visit her sick mum in the village. She goes on Friday and returns on Sunday, with plenty of fruits and food stuff, saying they are from her mum to the husband and the children. Then, the husband gently asks her about her mother's health and how she was doing, to which she replies that she took her to the hospital in the village and she is recovering and getting better. The wife adds that her mother insisted that she must re-visit the village in a few days, to spend at least a week with her. "I'm worried about Mama" the wife crooned, with tears swelling in her eyes. "She'll be fine, dear." Husband lovingly replied. The husband then politely asks her to take the items to the kitchen. As she enters, she meets her mother preparing food in the kitchen. Apparently, her mum came visiting since the Friday that she left home.

You can imagine the plight of this woman. stuck, shocked, dazed and dumb founded at the kitchen door! whether to go in and drop the item's from mama', or return to her husband in the livingroom! How would you handle this case if u are the husband or what explanation will u give if u r d woman? Please your humble opinion is required. Send this to all ur male and female friends. Lets see who fix it well Judge: Silence in Court. The next person who laughs again will be thrown out of Court. Accused: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!Judge: I wasn't talking to you.

Driver Abu is beinginterrogated after an accident ‌ Policeman: So Massa how did you end up killing 49 people?

Abu: I was driving @80km/h when I saw 2 mencrossing the road. On the other side, a wedding was taking place. I hit the brakes but they failed,so I had to make a choice:Either i hit the 2 men or run into the wedding party.Policeman: Hit the 2 men of course!

Abu: oyiwah! We think alike but after hitting one, the other man escaped into the wedding party, so I went after him A police officer stopped a pastor for speeding.The Pastor seeing trouble, yelled back: “I am a pastor going to church not a thief�The officer replied: “Please, leave that pastor thing out. Anyway, if you are indeed a pastor, then you must have a Bible in your car. Bring it.�The Pastor speedily brought out his Bible to prove his honesty and to be freed.“Please read Matthew 5:25-26 to me.� Said the police man.Incredulously, The Pastor opened the recommended text and it reads:“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to a judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth; you will not get out until you have paid the last penny�The perplexed man of God upon interpretation “QUIETLY� made an “offering� of a "few dollars" to his newly found “preacher. �The Officer collected his bribe and said to the pastor,“End of the matter. Go quickly in peace and never argue that policemen collect bribe. We only settle matters quickly and peacefully with all offenders instead of taking them to court to be thrown into prison. It's part of our job."

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I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONFUSED IN MY LIFE LIKE THIS.

Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation.One of them kept complaining about family problems. Finally the other man said, "you think you have family problems? Listen to my situation.""A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown up daughter and we got married. Later my father married my stepdaughter. That made my stepdaughter my stepmother and my father became my stepson.Also my wife became mother in law of her father in law.Then the daughter of my wife, my stepmother had a son. This boy was my half brother because he was my father's son but he was also the son of my wife's daughter, which made him my wife's grandson. That made me the grandfather of my half brother.This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half sister of my son, my stepmother is also the grandmother. This makes my father the brother in law of my child, whose step sister is my fathers wife.

Thus I am my stepmother's brother in law, my wife is her own child's aunt, my son is my father's nephew and I'm my own grandfather.And you think you have family problems?đ&#x;™†đ&#x;™†đ&#x;˜‚đ&#x;˜‚ this is my 1st confusing joke since this mid year.

SIX IMPORTANT GUIDELINES IN LIFE.1. When you are Alone, Mind your Thoughts.2.

When you are with Friends, Mind your Tongue.3. When you are Angry, Mind your Temper.4.

When you are with a Group, Mind your Behaviour.5. When you are in Trouble, Mind your Emotions.6. When God starts blessing you, Mind your Ego. I slapped a Police man today... and he ran away, that's when I knew he was fake. Please let's join hands and expose the fake Police men in town.How? By slapping any Police man you come across this week.

If he runs, then he is fake! If he doesn't run. The Lord is your shepherd.

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Kenya Polls: Lupita Nyongo’s Father 59-Year-Old Ghanaian Woman Welcomes 1st Child After 40 Years Wins Governorship Election of Childlessness

Photo Credit: Times Union

Kenyan born actress, Lupita Nyongo’s father has been elected as a governor in the recently concluded Kenyan polls.

The Hollywood actress’ father, Prof. Anyanga Nyongo won the election seeing him as the Governor-elect by a landslide.

The Governor-elect for the Kisumu County in Kenya defeated his rivals including Jackton Ramguma and Christine Otieno to win the polls.

Lupita’s father got a total of 252,490 votes which represents 63% of the 83% of polls counted.

His competitors, Jackton Ramguma got 141, 320 votes representing 36% of the polls while Christine Otieno got 1919 votes representing less than 1% of total votes cast.

The total polling station recorded in the count was put at 37,318 out of the total 40883 polling stations.

Ghana adopts ‘Walking Egg’ Technology to produce baby

Fifty-nine-year-old Ghanaian woman Akosua Budu Amoako ended nearly four decades of childlessness last month, when she welcomed her first child at a U.S. hospital.

Amoako gave birth to a full-term 7 lbs., 4 oz. boy on June 15th at Bellevue Woman’s Center in Niskayuna, near Albany, after receiving fertility treatments.

Amoako says she and her husband started trying for a baby soon after they got married 38 years ago, but she eventually gave up trying to conceive after medical examinations revealed her blocked Fallopian tubes would make natural pregnancy almost impossible, reports the Daily Mail.

She decided to try again and undergo in-vitro fertilization at a clinic, after learning about a 60year-old Ghanaian woman who gave birth to triplets last year after receiving fertility treatments.

The procedure — using her husband’s sperm and a donor egg — was a success and little Isaiah Somuah Anim (named after his father) was born nine months later.

“We haven’t gotten much sleep, but I feel fine and I think he already knows our voices,” an elated Amoako told the Times Union.

“When he’s crying sometimes, my husband will call from work and Isaiah will hear his voice through the phone and calms down and stops crying.”

Doctors say Amoako’s pregnancy and birth of baby Isaiah is a rare feat, with the U.S. Center for Disease Control putting the number of babies born to women aged 50 or older in 2016 at just 754.

Dr. Kushru Irani of the Niskayuna’s Bellevue Women’s Center initially tried to dissuade the couple from trying the IVF procedure, fearing that complications may arise due to Amoako’s advanced age.

“Initially, when I saw her, I’m saying no, it’s not a good idea for your health to have a baby at your age,” Dr. Irani told the union.

“I said everything that I could to discourage them by discussing the many risks.

“Budu was pre-diabetic and suffered from some hypertension. I was concerned about the strain pregnancy and delivery would put on her heart.

“But they were very calm, determined, and had clearly thought about this a long time.

Ghana has made history as the second country in the world to use ‘The Walking Egg’ (TWE) technology to produce a baby.

The feat was achieved on Monday after a couple who had been childless for eight years had a healthy baby boy on the third attempt with the technology at the Pentecost Hospital at Madina, near Accra.

http://www.graphic.com.gh

“Once a patient makes a medical decision, it is my duty as a doctor to do my best to care for them and keep them in good health. You compartmentalize your worries so you can keep the patient’s spirits up.”

According to the couple, the entire process, from initial screening to successful fertilization, cost $20,000 and took about a year.

Mark Babatunde www.howafrica.com

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About the Author William deGraftColeman is a Journalist, a Social Commentator, and founder of Gold Mind Enterprises LLC., in the State of Florida. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Colorado State University. And Bachelor’s degree from the Ghana Institute of Journalism. He is the author of Reflections from Beyond.

Not long ago, some friends of mine disclosed to me over launch that they had secretly installed Spyware on their sixteen year old daughter’s computer so they could monitor all she did on-line. Initially, I was disturbed by this invasion of privacy case. You know, that’s how I saw it, a case. Now after doing a fair amount of research, you know, thinking it over and what have you, I think I get it.

Or do I? Guys, make no mistake; if you put spyware on the computer, if you download any software with the capability of spying or eyeing (to borrow a much more outgoing word), you have the ability to monitor every keystroke your child makes, and thus a good portion of his or her private life. There is no question about it.

That’s what Spyware does, at least the parental monitoring type. One does not need to be an expert to install this kind of software on his or her child’s computer. All you have to do is this; you just download the software from a vendor, and you will receive weekly or daily reports, reports showing you everything your child is doing on his or her computer, in black and white, or color, lol. It’s amazing the capabilities of today’s computers and their varying software programs. Anyway, is this a bad idea or a good one? Must we spy on our kids? Are you spying or better still, are you a spy? The fact is that, a lot of parents would not even consider this idea let alone endorsing it.

And why is that? Personally, I think it’s something to do with the word: Spyware. It kind of brings up uncomfortable associations like some kind of Secret Service agent sitting somewhere in a darkroom, rubbing his hands together and monitoring your most private thoughts. This picture could not be clearer. But folks, this isn’t the government we are talking about here. This is your family, our family, our flesh and blood. I think it’s a mistake to blur these two issues. Loving parents are doing the surveillance here, not some faceless bureaucrat with a shiny bald head. And you know what, ladies and gentlemen; those who argue in support of this notion, in support of this technology claim and rightly so, that most parents already monitor their children anyway, that we are all doing this in some form or fashion anyway. We are all spies. Really? Ok, here are a few more; we are already watching and peering over our kid’s home environment, which is their school. Kids largely make friends at school.

They fraternize at school, peer - copy at school, bond at school and basically enjoy anything that is trendy at

R u a spy?

school. The school in so many ways is another home environment, a home with practically no overlords. Guess the cool air of freedom away from especially domineering parents and or guardians. I think the street name for overbearing parents is, helicopter parents. Today, parents fight their kids’ battles on the playground, right? I know we all do, not all the time but sometimes, right? And not all of us but some or perhaps most, right? We berate coaches about playing time.

We are quite often filling out college applications and so on and so forth. These concerns I will argue are quite infinitesimal comparatively, and yet, we will not grant our teen kids their independence to carry out as they get older what we all know they are quite capable doing, taking care of themselves, naturally. The question is this; if we are already doing this then why not Spyware? This software will save us time, effort and hassle. On top of this, our teen kids in some unavoidable situations may find themselves ignorantly chatting with some noble-looking, soft-spoken pedophile on their computers and or cell phones. Here, Spyware can help to some admirable extent.

Again, our kids could ignorantly be watching torture or some such thing, in some holy war, or in some highly attractive ideology. Here, this Spyware can play a very meaningful role. Again, when it comes to gambling away their entire savings, because it’s their own hard earned dime, this will not be lost on you either. Those against the use of this software will say you should simply trust your child, that if he is old enough to go on the internet, he is old enough to know the dangers out there. Here is something to think about. Something that counters the arguments for. Trust is one thing, but surrendering parental responsibility to a machine that allows the whole world to access your home really is negligence. See? Some will argue that it is better to allow only parental blocks that seek to prevent access to risky and dangerous sites. In my humble opinion, I think this won’t work ‘~’ because teens and even most kids today know how to work their way around most security software programs. This is where it gets tough; are you the type of parent who wants to know what is being said in email messages, instant text messages and chatrooms?

If you are, then I guess we can all pretty much guess which side of the political aisle you belong. There are two reasons for this debacle. First, we’ve all heard about the young boy unknowingly conversing with a pedophile or the young girl who was cyberbullied to the extent that she committed suicide. Would a watchful eye have helped? It’s possible, in fact more than likely. In the real world, we rely on teachers and parents to guard against bullies. Do we just dismiss bullying on the Internet and all that it entails because we are entering difficult ethical or moral ground? No we cant. The safety and security of our kids is more than paramount. Second, everything your child types has probably been seen around the whole world i.e. teachers, lawyers, friends, haters etc. Shouldn’t he or she learn now that the internet isn’t a haven of privacy? Communication, communication, communication. One of the most popular arguments against spyware is that you may be reading your teenager’s private thoughts, and that’s not right, period. That in today’s world a computer is a little key-locked diary of the past. But posting thoughts on the internet isn’t the same as hiding stuff under your mattress.

Maybe you should provide a special box or trunk so their mattress will have some peace. Am I suggesting eavesdropping on every conversation your kids engage in? No. With new technology comes new responsibility. This works both ways. There is a fine line between being responsibly protective and being irresponsibly nosy.

You shouldn’t monitor to find out if your daughter’s friend has a crush on Tom next door. Or Mrs. O’Brien gives too much homework or what school mate snubbed your handsome son. You must not do this. You are there to start a conversation, to be a companion not a lord, and to be a safety-net. To borrow from national intelligence lexicon, and yes, that’s prickly. You are only listening for dangerous chatter via the software, you will claim. Our intentions may be right but how do we thread this internet needle? Will your teenagers find other ways to communicate with their friends when they realize you may be watching? Yes, but cellphones and text messages don’t offer the anonymity and dangers of the Internet, one may counter. On the cell phone, our kids are usually on one-on-one with someone we may more than likely know. It is far easier for a predator to troll Internet chatrooms, Facebook and other social

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media platforms than the risk presented by cellphones and text messaging. There will be tough calls. If your fifteen year old son, for example is visiting sites with unsightly hardcore content, what do you do? When I was sixteen, we looked at inappropriate stuff, printed material basically. But you may argue that those are not the same and not as much as harmful. And you are probably right. But in my day, that’s all you could get.

If something hard was out there, we probably would have gone for it, curiously. But those days are gone, our time, past.

Interesting isn’t it? Remember, this topic is natural. It is a conversation we cannot avoid. Monitoring and watching our kids growing up is a gift in of itself, a very wonderful opportunity.

But sooner or later, our kids will come face to face with this issue, asking you why the security setup? So guys, rather than going round in a merry-go-round you probably have to start a dialogue based on this knowledge, based on this context. That is, if you haven’t commenced already. “Parenting has never been for the faint of heart.” An Associate of mine, hinted one day. “Using spyware to monitor my straight ‘A’ college bound daughter, I found out that not only was she using drugs but she was also sleeping with the dealer. I calmly took a deep breath before confronting her. I decided to come clean, to let her know I had found out, and to let her know the dangers inherent in her behavior. Thankfully, there was no anger. Things seem better now.” Really? I wish it was that easy. As a father and a social commentator, I thought he was lucky. And here is why.

For most families, spyware is not only unnecessary, but it also sends the unfortunate message that says in bold letters, I DON’T TRUST YOU? Talk of ‘thankfully there was no anger…everything seem fine now.’ Huh?! No anger! No slamming of doors? No screaming and eye roll? “Come on?” You should see me screaming at my associate. “If parenting was that easy. If parenting teenagers with rioting hormones were that simple, guess how many kids I would have?” lol. Folk’, parenting is both a job and a joy. It does not require spyware.

Although, in the case of kids who are recalcitrant, it might. But it does require love, respect, time, trust, money, and being available as much as possible 24/7. Luck helps too. Our kneejerk reaction as freedom-loving people is to be suspicious about everything that hints at invasion of privacy. That’s a good and noble thing. But that need must not be absolute, nor must we nurture that habit or that need to become our second nature, particularly in the face of the new and evolving challenges presented by the Internet. So now, do you tell your children that spyware is on the computer? If you do, then what’s the point in downloading it in the first place. Instead why don’t you have a conversation with them about your concerns, the risks and dangers associated with this Information Superhighway? Why don’t you be frank and start, ending that there is always the possibility that spyware may be spying, maybe eyeing them if they don’t thread carefully. I discussed this case with my adorable teen age daughter, and the next day I found the following poem tucked in something I would not under normal circumstances leave behind, my wallet. Love me without fear. Trust me without wondering Love me without restrictions Want me without demand Accept me how I am And if you give me a chance If you give us a chance I am going to live the rest of my life Proving to you made the right decision Sincerely, Sharon, Your trustworthy daughter. I do not know whether she conjured this herself or whether she borrowed these profound words. Matter of fact, I don’t think I cared that much. My mind wasn’t on the source of the text. My mind was impacted quite overwhelmingly on the invincible subtext, the profound message therein. My mind was impacted very strongly by what’s in between the lines. And what was it?

What is my daughter trying to say? What is she craving? What are today’s kids craving? Must you be a spy? Folks, your guess is as good as mine… Thanks guys, and see you next time.

Top 10 African Countries With The Most Beautiful Women As At July, 2017!!

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Everyone knows that black women are the most beautiful women on earth, women with outstanding kind of beauty. When we talk about beauty, we are referring to both inside traits and outside looks and an African woman has it all. All around the world, African women have always stood out among other women. They are very intelligent with very strong and good characters, and they have beautiful body structures and facial beauty to crown it all. Here we put together the top 10 African countries who has the most beautiful black women.

10. South SUDAN

Sudanese women are friendly and attractive, plus English is widely spoken.

09. RWANDA Rwanda boasts an incredibly low cost of living plus a plethora of beautiful women to choose from.

06. EGYPT

Visit Egypt and grab lunch with an Arabic beauty while en route to see the Pyramids.

05. ERITREA

Eritrea, located right next to Ethiopia, is a small but vibrant country full of beautiful ladies. The local langage is Tigrinya

03. ETHIOPIA Ethiopian girls are known for their wide eyes and beautiful grace.

Learn Amharic and take a dream trip to Addis Ababa in search of your Ethiopian queen!

02. DJIBOUTI

Djibouti is a tiny country with a population under 1 million, but still boasts some of the best looking women in Africa. Learn French and meet your future wife.

08. MORROCO

Morocco is full of Arabic speaking beauties who want to get to know you. It’s about time you started studying Arabic!

04. GHANA

Ghana is considered “Africa for Beginners” for many reasons. Ghanians are extremely friendly to tourists/expats and English is widely spoken.

If you visit to Accra and meet a Ghanian lady, you may never go home again!

07. KENYA Kenya, the birthplace of United States President Barack Obama’s father, is a rising jewel in Africa.

English is widely spoken, plus the capital of Nairobi is considered one of the world’s largest technology hubs. It’s the “Silicon Valley” of Africa.

01. SOMALIA

Somali girls live on the “Horn of Africa” and are definitely worth the trip. Take in the beautiful Indian Ocean while sharing a cozy spot with your Somalian beauty. Pick up the local Somali language and you’re golden.

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THE JOY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP

Dear Reader,

It is a known fact that the best single investment one can make is owning your own home. Homeownership promotes a sense of achievement, positive self esteem and pride. It creates a sense of accomplishment and freedom!

The Biggest Benefit of Homeownership Homeownership makes good sense because there are tax privileges when tax time rolls around: • You get the benefit of deducting the interest paid on the mortgage throughout the year.

• You deduct any points paid, either discount or origination fees paid on loan.

• You can deduct a room in your home if it is solely dedicated for home business use.

• The biggest advantage, though, is the fact that the principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank, in the form of equity.

Other Advantages of Homeownship • Owning your home gives you an individualized approach concerning landscaping, decorating, and curb appeal, which in the process can add value to the home.

You do what you please when you please to your home which renting does not provide.

• If you have children, they will find stability in knowing that they aren't going to have to change schools, which can be traumatic for younger children.

They won't have to make new friends, and a sense of place becomes very real to them.

Disadvantages of Renting • When you rent, you do not have the flexibility to make aesthetic or cosmetic changes to the place as you please. You may be able to paint a room, but need to repaint back to the original color scheme when you move.

• You cannot make major structural changes or ground changes such as adding flower beds or even rock gardens and waterfalls to reflect your taste.

• You put up with an obstinate landlord that refuses to repair things in the apartment, or just "doesn't have time." This can build frustration and stress.

• You help the Landlord build equity on their property and gain tax write off while you are left with nothing at the end of your lease term I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has provided helpful information in making your decision to home ownership a smooth one.

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® –Licensed in the Common Wealth of Virginia Prince William CountyLocal Expert CONTACT 571-229-6694 Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com Borderlessrealestate.com

Secure Your Future Get Life Insurance Call Today 571-778-1917 August 2017

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Investments opportunities

African Countries By Population (2017)

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Nigeria 191,835,936 Ethiopia 104,344,901 Egypt 95,215,102 DR Congo 82,242,685 Tanzania 56,877,529 South Africa 55,436,360 Kenya 48,466,928 Sudan 42,166,323 Uganda 41,652,938 Algeria 41,063,753 Morocco 35,241,418 Mozambique 29,537,914 Ghana 28,656,723 Angola 26,655,513 Madagascar 25,612,972 Cameroon 24,513,689 Côte d'Ivoire 23,815,886 Niger 21,563,607 Burkina Faso 19,173,322 Mali 18,689,966 Malawi 18,298,679 Zambia 17,237,931 Zimbabwe 16,337,760 Senegal 16,054,275 Chad 14,965,482 Guinea 13,290,659 South Sudan 13,096,190 Rwanda 12,159,586 Burundi 11,936,481 Tunisia 11,494,760 Benin 11,458,611 Somalia 11,391,962 Togo 7,691,915 Sierra Leone 6,732,899 Libya 6,408,742 Eritrea 5,481,906 Central Afri 5,098,826 Congo 4,866,243 Liberia 4,730,437 Mauritania 4,266,448 Namibia 2,568,569 Botswana 2,343,981 Lesotho 2,185,1591 Gambia 2,120,418 Guinea-Bissau 1,932,871 Gabon 1,801,232 Swaziland 1,320,356 Mauritius 1,281,353 Djibouti 911,382 Equatorial Guinea 894,464 Réunion 873,356 Comoros 825,920 Western Sahara 596,021 Cabo Verde 533,468 Mayotte 253,068 Sao Tome and Principe 198,481 Seychelles 97,539 Saint Helena 3,970

Source: Worldometers (www.Worldometers.info) Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2015 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant)

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List of African capitals

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As the less economically developed, many countries of this continent have the lowest level of life quality in the world. Two capital cities, Cape Town and Pretoria in South Africa are considered the best places to live in this region.

The most visited cities by tourists are Cape Town, Cairo and Tunis. These travel destinations are popular among those who seeking for vibrant colors, ancient monuments, natural attractions and exotic wildlife along with beautiful beaches. Less known, but also very exciting are such capitals like Nairobi, Dakar, Port Louis and Antananarivo.

A Algeria Algiers Angola Luanda B Benin Porto-Novo Botswana Gaborone Burkina Faso Ouagadougou Burundi Bujumbura C Cabo Verde Praia Cameroon Yaounde Central African Republic Bangui Chad N'Djamena Comoros Moroni Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Republic of the Congo Brazzaville Cote d'Ivoire Yamoussoukro D Djibouti Djibouti (city) E Egypt Cairo Equatorial Guinea Malabo (de jure), Oyala (seat of government) Eritrea Asmara Ethiopia Addis Ababa G Gabon Libreville Gambia Banjul Ghana Accra Guinea Conakry Guinea-Bissau Bissau K Kenya Nairobi L Lesotho Maseru Liberia Monrovia Libya Tripoli

M Madagascar Antananarivo Malawi Lilongwe

Mali Bamako Mauritania Nouakchott Mauritius Port Louis Morocco Rabat Mozambique Maputo N Namibia Windhoek Niger Niamey Nigeria Abuja R Rwanda Kigali S Sao Tome and Principe São Tomé Senegal Dakar Seychelles Victoria Sierra Leone Freetown Somalia Mogadishu South Africa Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial) South Sudan Juba Sudan Khartoum Swaziland Mbabane (administrative), Lobamba (legislative, royal) T Tanzania Dodoma Togo Lomé Tunisia Tunis U Uganda Kampala Z Zambia Lusaka Zimbabwe Harare

The Methodist Church Ghana Launches A New Product To Compete In The Global Market Afrikan

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used. In an interview with the said Minister, he stated that “Insurance in America is one of the most common products among residents therefore if we use this popular product to illustrate the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ towards mankind, it will attract attention and serve as a much simpler way for every Christian to share the word of God without fear or hesitation.”

The North America Mission Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, has launched a new product called; ETERNAL LIFE INSURANCE. The product which was created to compete in the global market was launched in June 2017 in Newark/New Jersey Circuit. The product opened to the public when one of the organizations in the church; “ The Guild North America Mission Diocese” held its second Triennial Conference. It started from Friday, June 16th to Sunday, 18th, 2017, at Ghana Wesley Methodist Church, Worcester Massachusetts.

The theme for the conference was “GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, REKINDLE THE METHODIST EVANGELISM HERITAGE”. In attendance were; the Very Reverend Prof.

Joseph Osei (Acting Mission Supervising Coordinator, of the North American Mission Diocese, NAMD), Very Reverend Dr. Casely Essamuah (Synod Secretary, NAMD), Bro. Kwadwo Agyemang (Lay Chairman, NAMD), theVery Reverend Isaac Kwabena Boamah (Guild Chaplain, NAMD), the Very Reverend Joseph Osei Amankwah (Minister In Charge, Ghana Wesley Methodist, Brooklyn New York), Reverend Dr. Monica Agyekum Ohene and Opanyin Daniel Arkorful (The Guild President, NAMD).

In addressing members of the conference, the Very Reverend Professor Joseph Osei who was the Keynote Speaker for the conference, said; “It’s about time that Christians begin dreaming and thinking about the expansion of the Kingdom of God. We must all live according to the word of God. This means we shouldn’t preach virtue and practice vice versa. Whatever we say must be reflected in our daily lifestyles”. He continued by saying, “Even though it is difficult to share the Word of God in America with other people, due to language barriers and religious differences, nevertheless, we can lighten every corner with the gospel”. Furthermore, he encouraged the missionaries of the Gospel to continue the good work they have begun, despite all obstacles and challenges they may face. All the organizations in the church, like The Guild, should cultivate the habit of winning souls for Christ and strengthening them to stand their grounds in the face of temptation.

Usually, conferences are meant to discuss the issues relating to the said organization. Nevertheless, this time round, The Guild decided to include evangelism, which is one of their objectives as a Christian organization. Over 60 people including the the abovenamed dignitaries proceeded unto the streets of Worcester demonstrating the LOVE of God through singing and the sharing of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all.

Meanwhile the conference planning committee was thinking of the best practical ways to witness the kingdom of God, but God in his own wisdom inspired the Very Reverend Moses Antwi, the superintendent minister of the host circuit (Newark/ New Jersey Circuit), to design the product: Eternal Life Insurance, a very useful tract, to be

The minister further explained that the product has 3 KEY ADVANTAGES that the insurance useful in the Global market such as; car insurance, health insurance and life insurance which they do not have. The first one is; FREE PREMIUM / NO PREMIUM PAYMENT; where the policyholder does not have to pay anything to be considered a premium member or a VIP. Unlike a health insurance or car insurance, members do not have to pay extra money, or any money at all to receive certain benefits or special treatments. The second advantage is that the POLICY HOLDER ENJOYS FULL BENEFIT EVEN AFTER DEATH; Since it is an eternal life insurance, the benefits carry on to the afterlife and beyond. Whereas modern insurance policies in our societies end with our demise. The third key advantage of this insurance is that; there are NO CRITERIA CONSIDERED FOR QUALIFICATION. It is a policy open to everyone and anyone willing to attain a seat in the Kingdom of our heavenly Father.

To be a holder of this policy, one has to take five steps in order to attain membership. The first step is to Admit that you are a sinner: “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3: 23). The second step is to repent and turn away from all sins: “...But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3) “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 2:19). The third step is to confess all your sins and ask for forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The fourth step is to Believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and personal savior: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12). The last and final step to attaining membership is to invite Jesus into your heart. Pray a prayer like this: Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from dead. I turn from my sins and I invite you to come into my life and take control. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Thanks for hearing my prayers in your name, Amen.

This insurance, as a result, was adapted and used during the evangelism and the impact was phenomenal. The concept was embraced by both believers of the gospel, and nonbelievers, individuals of various cultures and races; men, women, whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians hawkers, drivers, etc. Due to the positive feedback, we enlist Christians all over the world to spread the gospel regardless of restrictions or barriers.

On Sunday, a special thanksgiving service was conducted and the newly elected officers were inducted to office to steer the affairs of the organization for a 3-year term starting from October 1, 2017. The new inductees were as follows:

The Very Rev Isaac Kwabena Boamah (Chaplain), Bro William Nana Abrefa Nuamah (President), Sis. Elizabeth

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Okrah (Vice President), Bro Kwaku Owusu (Secretary), Sis. Akosua Asumadu (Financial Secretary), Sis. Akua Bonnah (Treasurer), Sis. Dorothy Fosuah-Addo (Organizing Secretary), and Bro. Daniel Arkorful (Outgoing President).

Source:Methodist Guild North America Mission Diocese/www.3gmediaonline.com

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Mr. Yaw Boamah’s 60 Birthday Party

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Mr. Yaw Boamah’s 60 Birthday Party

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