Afrikan Post

www.afrikanpost.com

Circulated all over the United States

Free

African Community News

President Biden hosts African leaders in US-Africa Summit in D.C. Pg. 4

Tel:571-236-2525

Vol 14 Issue 12

December 2022

For All your Life Insurance and Fire Insurance Needs Call 703-725-6968

Patricia Baine President Of Africa Society Passes on to Glory

From the Editor

O u r G r eates t G lor y is n ot in n ever f a llin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll .

We a r e co mmittted to b r in gin g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ias p or a . Yo u ma y als o vis it o u r web s ite a t www. af r ikan pos t. co m f o r d aily n ews u pd a tes o n Af r ica.

D is cla imer : Th e o p in io n s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles an d s tor ies in th is N ews pa per a r e th os e o f th e a u th o r s an d do n o t n eces s a r ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Pos t . All commen ts a n d s u gg es tio n s ar e welco me.

December 2 0 2 2

George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor

To Advertise Your Business or contribute

Call 703- 725- 6968 or E-mail: editor@afrikanpost.com Address: Bright House Productions 6236 Oscar Court Woodbridge VA 22193 D E PA R T M E N T S Vol 14 Issue 11

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Ewe Association of Washington DC celebrates end of year get together Pg. 14

Rhema International Bible Church Honors Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater At It’s 2nd Anniversary Pg. 22

Diallo Sumbry enstooled as development chief in Ghana Page 22

How Africa’a richest man Aliko Dangote got $1.5B richer in November Pg. 10

President Biden hosts African leaders in US-Africa Summit in D.C. Pg. 5

The Africa Society board shares with profound sadness the passing of our beloved president, Patricia Baine on December 10, 2022.

Born in Uganda, Ms. Baine served with distinction in several positions in The Africa Society over 20 years, and was named president in 2016.

Patricia helped steer our organization to its position as a leading Non-governmental organization advocating and educating about Africa in the United States. She was respected by partners working on Africa issues in Washington, DC, throughout the United States and on the African continent. The African, US and other members of the diplomatic corps as well as government and non-government organizations with whom she engaged, held her in high regard.

Her passing leaves an incalculable void. She impacted the US-Africa dialogue and heightened the advocacy for Africa among the Diaspora with passion, profes-

sionalism and pride, and worked tirelessly with an indefatigable spirit of optimism.

The Africa Society appreciates the outpouring of messages of sympathy. We grieve with her family, countless friends and colleagues, and extend our deepest condolences and profound sympathy and love to her family.

We will share separately a complete profile of Patricia's life and contributions to The Africa Society.

Details on final arrangements will be shared when provided by the family

December 2 0 2 2

Page

3

December 2 0 2 2

Afrikan Post

President Biden hosts African leaders in US-Africa Summit in D.C.

Nearly 50 African leaders converged in Washington on Tuesday, December 13, to begin three days of talks on issues central to the future of the continent and the world, including health, food security, climate change, civil wars and even the exploration of outer space.

The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit this week, the first one since 2014, comes as the world is struggling with urgent crises, some of which are having catastrophic effects on Africa. The continent is grappling with a food shortage worsened by both Russia’s war with Ukraine and supply chain problems arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.

But U.S. officials say they also want to discuss forwardlooking topics such as commercial investments and technology that can have long-term benefits for the continent.

Mokgweetsi Masisi, the president of Botswana, said at the Brookings Institution on Tuesday morning that many African nations were wary of the intentions of world superpowers and sought to exert some agency over those larger countries’ policies.

“The world has not been extremely kind to Africa,” he said. “It’s almost as if the carving out and colonization of Africa assumed a new form without the labels of colonization — but some measure of conquest. And we’re trying to move away from that and engage so that they work with us and not on us and through us.”

In an Africa strategy unveiled in August, the White House stressed the need to strengthen democracies across the continent and help them deliver for their “Over the next few days, we will be announcing additional citizens, with the aim of undergirding stability. Mr. investments to make it easier for students to participate in Blinken emphasized the same themes in a policy exchange programs between our countries, to increase speech he delivered in South Africa before visiting trade opportunities for members of the African diaspora the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. and to support African entrepreneurs and small businesses,” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said at the sum- The Biden administration’s efforts to promote mit’s opening event, a forum for what the State democracy have included anti-corruption programs Department called “African and Diaspora Young Leaders.” and support for independent journalism. The U.S. government arranged for 25 journalists from Africa “Each of these investments is guided by one overarching to attend the summit. goal: to continue building our partnership so that we can Leaders from 49 nations as well as the African better address the shared challenges we face,” Mr. Blinken Union were invited. U.S. officials did not invite said. leaders from four nations that have had recent coups The first day’s meetings were centered on critical topics and that the African Union has suspended from its including the environment, public health, democratic gov- member roster: Mali, Sudan, Guinea and Burkina ernance and security. The governance and security session Faso. was hosted by Mr. Blinken; Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III; and Samantha Power, the administrator of the “We continue to work separately with those counUnited States Agency for International Development. tries to encourage a return to a democratic transiKatherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative, led a ministe- tion, to move to a democratic track, so we’re in a rial conference on trade. better position to have a strong partnership with those countries,” Molly Phee, the assistant secretary In the morning, Mr. Austin and Mr. Blinken discussed mil- of state for African affairs, said in a briefing with itary cooperation with the leaders of Djibouti, Niger and reporters on Dec. 7.

Somalia. “We recognize that African leadership remains key to confronting our era’s defining challenges of peace, Mr. Blinken had separate meetings on Tuesday security and governance,” Mr. Austin said. afternoon with Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of The Biden administration is trying to repair relations with Ethiopia, and Félix Tshisekedi, the president of African nations after President Donald J. Trump largely Congo. ignored them and famously disparaged some in a White House meeting in 2018.

Mr. Abiy is a particularly complicated figure for U.S. officials. Awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 American officials are concerned about Chinese and for making peace with neighboring Eritrea after Russian influence on the continent, as well as instability decades of war, he was seen as an international caused by famine, climate change, epidemics and wars. hero. But Biden administration officials watched U.S. officials say they also want to help African countries with alarm last year as Mr. Abiy’s forces ruthlessly create economic opportunities for their growing youth pop- put down a growing rebellion by the country’s ethulations. nic Tigray people.

And at a forum on Tuesday on outer space, Nigeria and Rwanda became the first African nations to sign onto the Artemis Accords, an agreement that aims to establish guidelines for space exploration.

Mr. Blinken testified in March 2021 that Ethiopian government forces had committed “atrocities” and “ethnic cleansing.” U.S. officials feared Africa’s second-most-populous country after Nigeria might collapse into violent anarchy.

Page 4

But Mr. Abiy arrived for his highest-level encounter with the Biden administration weeks after signing a cease-fire with Tigrayan rebel leaders that has ended, for now at least, the country’s two years of civil war.

In a sit-down with the Ethiopian leader on Tuesday, Mr. Blinken told Mr. Abiy he faced a “historic moment” to move his country toward lasting peace.

The United States is also navigating thorny issues with Congo. When Mr. Blinken visited Kinshasa, the capital, in August, he expressed concerns to Mr. Tshisekedi and other officials about civil conflict in the east, which involves neighboring nations, and about a plan by the country to auction off vast parcels of rainforests and peatlands for oil and gas extraction. The two countries agreed to form a working group to assess the plan and the environmental impact.

Congo is important for Mr. Biden’s climate change policy in another way: It is the world’s leading source of cobalt, an important material for electric-car batteries. But U.S. officials are concerned about mining practices there, as well as the growing presence of Chinese companies in the industry.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Blinken presided over the signing of an agreement with officials from Congo and Zambia in which the United States pledged to form an “electric vehicle battery council” with those two nations to assess investment mechanisms and supply chains.

Christophe Lutundula, the foreign minister of Congo, said his country was working to “contribute with our natural resources and strategic minerals to the collective management of the world’s fate and future in this day and age with climate change.”

American officials have been careful not to frame this week’s summit or Mr. Biden’s Africa strategy as being about rivalry with China, which has been expanding trade on the continent for years. U.S. officials say they want to deal with African nations on their own terms. In reality, discussions in Washington about Africa often revolve around China.

On Monday, China’s ambassador in Washington, Qin Gang, said at a talk hosted by the media outlet Semafor that Beijing was focused on its own interests in Africa, regardless of Washington’s concerns.

“We are not interested in the views of any other countries on China’s role in Africa,” he said. “And we believe that Africa should be a place for international cooperation, not for major-power competition for geopolitical gains.”

Source: New York Times

December 2022

Page 5

President Biden hosts African leaders in US-Africa Summit in D.C.

Afrikan Post

H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission speaks at the Summit

President Paul Biya -Cameroon speaks during the U.S.Africa Leaders Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

President Paul Kagame -Rwanda

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris speaks during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

U.S. Department of the Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo speaks during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit

President of Liberia George Manneh Weah

President Nana Akufo Addo -Ghana

President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio

Nigeria and Rwanda become the first African nations to sign the President Biden watched the world cup match between Morocco Artemis Accords during the U.S.-Africa Space Forum on and Croatia With Some of the African Leaders Tuesday, December 13, 2022 (Scott Taetsch/U.S. Department of State)

Secretary of State of the United States T.H. Antony Blinken speaks during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (Ben Solomon/U.S. Department of State)

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda ThomasGreenfield, Yvonne Orji and Idris Elba speak during the Fireside Chat Conversation during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.(Ben Solomon/U.S. Department of State)

President Biden hosts African leaders in US-Africa Summit in D.C. December 2022

President of the Republic of Senegal H.E. Macky (Scott Taetsch/U.S. Department of State)

President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum

Page 6

Millennium Challenge Corporation Alice Albright, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Marie Raimondo Secretary of State of the United States T.H. Antony speaks during the Secretary Raimondo Bilat at the U.S.-A, Blinken, President of Benin Patrice Talon and President of (Paul Kim/U.S. Department of State) Niger Mohamed Bazoum sign documents during the U.S.Africa Leaders Summit

U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai speaks during the Charting the Course: The Future of the U.S.African Trade & Investment Relations at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit (Scott Taetsch/U.S. Department of State)

First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden during the First African First ladies during the First Lady Dr. Biden Spousal Lady Dr. Biden Spousal Program (Ben Solomon/U.S. Program Department of State)

African First ladies during the First Lady Dr. Biden Spousal Program

First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden speaks during the First Lady Dr. Biden Spousal Program

Second Gentleman of the United States Mr. Douglas Emhoff during the First Lady Dr. Biden Spousal Program (Ben Solomon/U.S. Department of State)

Abena Dokua Educational Foundation raises $44,000 at maiden fundraising dinner December 2 0 2 2

Keynote Speaker

Mr. Kwaku Boateng-President of ADEF

The Abena Dokua Educational Foundation (ADEF), a US-based charity organization, has organized its maiden annual fundraising event in Springfield, Virginia.

The event, which was held on October 29, 2022, was characterized by grace, gratitude and giving.

The organization treated the audience of over 100 guests to its history, mission and vision encapsulated in emotional testimonies by past beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event, the President of ADEF, Kwaku Boateng, gave an update on previous projects, the prevailing needs of the educational sector in Ghana and what the organizational focus is. The President without mincing words entreated the guests to join hands with the organization to help students and educational institutions in Ghana. According to the president, the provision of safe and conducive learning environment for every student in Ghana is a goal for the organization.

Speaking at the same event, the guest speaker, Kobby Okum, espoused the value of giving back to society.

He encouraged the patrons to rally behind noble causes and organizations such as ADEF to make a difference in

society.

At the end of the event, even though the fundraising goal of $50k was not realized, an amount of $44,000 was raised.

The organization believes the amount raised, will go a long way to facilitate their impending projects in Ghana. ADEF is grateful to all who attended the dinner, and the various donors to the cause. Ongoing Support is welcomed and can be given by visiting their website to donate.

Abena Dokua Educational Foundation is a registered 501 (c) non-profit organization in the USA. Its goal is to champion the quality of education for all students in Ghana through the provision of educational supplies and other educational amenities.

Visit their website at: www.adefghana.org.

Attendees

Board Members

Page 7

Thoronka Law Offices

December

2022

Page

PRACTICE AREAS IMMIGRATION LAW CRIMINAL DEFENSE BUSINESS LAW

MAIN OFFICE hours Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Weekends by Appointment Call For An Appointment Phone 571-285-5242

A Law Firm with a Difference Call Today www.thoronkalaw.com

Address 12656C Lake Ridge Dr, Woodbridge, VA 22192

MARYLAND BRANCH hours Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Weekends by Appointment Call For An Appointment Phone 301-949-1500

Address 2730 University Blvd W, Suite 520, Wheaton, MD 20902

8

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of Ghana delivers Keynote Address at IDU in Washington D.C. December 2 0 2 2

Page

The gathering allows an open exchange and vigorous debates in a unique environment among like-minded partners committed to shared values of freedom and democracy.

The IDU holds two Forums annually: a marquee IDU Forum in Washington, D.C. and a regionally focused Forum that alternates location.

The Forums also create value for participants by building relationships, discussing policy challenges, sharing best practices for campaigning and governing, and supporting parties in emerging democracies.

Source: Embassy of Ghana, Washington D.C

The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia addressed members and participants of the International Democrat Union (IDU) Forum 2022 in Washington D.C. on December 8 where he delivered the Keynote Address. The Forum was under the theme “Russia, the war and African interests.”

Dr. Bawumia’s speech focused primarily on trade, supply-chain, sanctions, and barriers facing the world and how they relate to the escalating crisis between Russia and Ukraine. The Vice President stated that the war has had an impact on world trade, democracy, the rule of law, and countries’ territorial integrity.

world can develop at the back of Overseas Development Aid (ODA).Furthermore, Hon. Botchwey who spoke with the IDU chairman, Stephen Harper and Volkmar Klein; MP, Germany, noted that “what Africa needs to develop is investment,” although she indicated that Africa would not reject any form of aid, but reiterated that “the focus should shift to investment over aid.”

On the Russia-Ukraine war, the Minister stated, “Ghana condemned in no uncertain terms the non-provoked aggression by Russia against Ukraine and has stood sideby-side with the people of Ukraine”.

In the spirit of progress, the Minister said, Ghana and many other African nations are “I observed that although the COVID-19 pannon-aligned, and the continent is urging all demic and Russia-Ukraine war have jointly affected global trade, disruptions to democracy, parties to the Russia-Ukraine conflict to sit rule of law and the lack of respect for territorial down and find an amicable settlement for the sake of world peace. integrity of countries pose an even greater threat,” said Dr. Bawumia.

The Vice President and Hon. Minister were accompanied by the Ambassador of “I therefore call on global leaders not to turn a the Republic of Ghana to the USA, Her blind eye to the developments in the Sahel region where democracy has come under attack Excellency Alima Mahama and other officials from the Office of the Vice President from different angles, including terrorist the Foreign Ministry of Ghana and the attacks,” he added.

Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, was also present at About IDU the Forum. The minister on her part, urged the Founded in 1983, the IDU Forum brings West to increase its investment in Africa rather together conservative legislators, party than viewing it as a dangerous region for busi- executives, and thought leaders from more ness. She also pointed out that no country in the than 80 member parties.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Praises Bawumia For Excellent IDU Address – Hails NPP For Dedication To Freedom And Democracy

Her Excellency Alima Mahama-Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Hon. Shirley Botchway, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Some NPP Members iin the US

9

How Africa’a richest man Aliko Dangote got Ghanaian-British politician wins seat in British $1.5B richer in November Parliament December

In November 2022, one of the wealthiest individuals in Africa experienced a net worth increase of $1.5 billion, following a significant $200 million gain in December. Aliko Dangote is the 81st-richest man in the world, with a $19.1 billion net worth.

increase in net worth that erased his yearto-date wealth loss of $611 million at the beginning of the month.

Aliko Dangote stated that as he continues to strategically invest in his sugar industry in compliance with the objectives of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, his investment According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which measures and compares the for- will create 300,000 jobs for Nigeria. The Dangote Group, the big economic empire tunes of the 500 richest people in the world, which deals mainly in industrial and food his net worth climbed by $1.5 billion in products is the most valuable company in November. In the first few months of 2022, this prevented losses of $611 million, which is West Africa and one of Nigeria’s top private employers. a pretty impressive feat.

How Aliko Dangote started his company from scratch will always inspire many entrepreneurs. He borrowed $3,000 from his uncle shortly after receiving his college degree at 21 to import and sell food products in Nigeria. He was successful and was able to pay back the debt in full within three months of operations. But Dangote did not just settle for selling local comAliko Dangote’s 86 per cent ownership of modities; he had his eyes set on something Dangote Cement, worth $8.64 billion, conbigger- building a global corporation- and tributed significantly to his riches. His he has carried on to become one of the expanding wealth is also due to his $5 billion fertilizer factory, which can generate up to 2.8 greatest African success stories of today’s generation. million metric tonnes of urea yearly.

The increase in wealth revealed in November is attributed to the rise in Dangote Cement Plc stock prices, which had a positive profit following several months of poor performances.

Many people were impressed by the performance of this affiliate of Dangote companies and the profit it brought as a whole.

The Nigerian billionaire joined Abdul Samad Rabiu, who has seen a considerable boost in his fortune this year, with the billion-dollar

https://face2faceafrica.com/

2022

Page

The just ended 2019 UK elections has seen Ghanaian-British politician, Abena Oppong-Asare win a seat in the British Parliament.

Ms. Oppong-Asare’s feat emulates that of Adam Afriyie, Sam Philip Gyimah, and Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng.

Her capture of the Labour Party’s stronghold, Erith and Thamesmead makes her the first female Ghanaian-British MP in the UK. Long-serving MP, Teresa Pearce, stepped down prior to this election, paving the way for Abena Oppong-Asare to succeed her.

The Labour Party candidate secured 19,882 votes to beat Joe Robertson of the Tory Party, who received 16,124 votes.

Abena Oppong-Asare for four years, was as a ward representative serving as a Bexley councillor until 2018.

Christopher Sam

https://face2faceafrica.com/

10

December 2 0 2 2

Page

12 players of African origin who played for foreign nations in World Cup 2022

11

Whatever the reason, these players have significantly impacted the international football stage and will continue to do so for years to come. In no particular order, here are the 12 players of African origin who played for foreign nations in World Cup 2022:

Kylian Mbappe was born in Paris, France to a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother. He began his youth career with AS Bondy before joining the academy at Paris Saint-Germain.

Mbappe made his professional debut for PSG in 2017 and has since become one of the most highly regarded young players in the world. He represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2017 and helping lead the team to the 2018 World Cup title.

Manuel Akanji was born in Switzerland to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father. He began his professional career with FC Basel before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

Akanji has become a key player for Dortmund and represents Switzerland internationally, making his debut in 2017.

Danilo Pereira was born in Cape Verde and moved to Portugal with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with Marítimo before moving to Porto in 2015. Pereira has become a key player for Porto and represents Portugal at the international level, making his debut in 2011

Jules Kounde was born in France to a French mother and a Senegalese father. He began his professional career with Bordeaux before moving to Sevilla and eventually transferring to Barcelona in 2022. Kounde has become a key player for Barcelona and represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2021.

Rafael Leao was born in Cape Verde and moved to Portugal with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Sporting Lisbon before breaking into the first team in 2017.

Leao moved to AC Milan in 2019 and represents Portugal at the international level, making his debut in 2021.

Ousmane Dembélé was born in France to a Mauritanian father and an Algerian mother. He began his professional career with Rennes before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2017. Dembélé represents France at the international level, making his debut in 2016.

Ansu Fati was born in Guinea-Bissau and moved to Spain with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Sevilla before joining the academy at Barcelona in 2012. Fati made his professional debut for Barcelona in 2019 and has become a key player for the club. He represents Spain at the international level, making his debut in 2020.

Bukayo Saka was born in London, England to Nigerian parents. He began his youth career with Arsenal before breaking into the first team in 2018. Saka has become a key player for Arsenal and represents England at the international level, making his debut in 2020.

Breel Embolo was born in Cameroon and moved to Switzerland with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with FC Basel before moving to Schalke 04 in 2016. Embolo represents Switzerland at the international level, making his debut in 2015.

Jamal Musiala was born in Germany to a German mother and a Nigerian father. He began his youth career with Chelsea before joining the academy at Bayern Munich in 2019. Musiala made his professional debut for Bayern Munich in 2020 and has represented both Germany and England at the international level.

Alphonso Davies was born in Ghana and moved to Canada with his family at a young age. He began his professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps before moving to Bayern Munich in 2018. Davies has become a key player for Bayern Munich and represents Canada at

Eduardo Camavinga was born in Angola and moved to France with his family at a young age. He began his youth career with Rennes before breaking into the first team in 2019. He eventually moved to Real Madrid in 2021, helping them clinch the trophy in 2021. He plays for France

December 2022

Page

12

This SA man’s innovative wheelchair 2-Year-Old Ugandan Boy which can climb stairs is starting to make Survives After Hippo Swallows waves in France Him Before Spitting Him Out

Abu Mubarik rnest Mongezi Majenge is a South African innovator helping improve mobility for wheelchair users. His invention has earned him the nickname ‘wheelchair doctor.’ His wheelchair comes with grooves that enable it to be pulled up and down stairs, according to ThisAbility.

Majenge’s invention was born out of research to understand the challenges that wheelchair users face. He realized that accessing buildings with stairs but no elevators or ramps was a major struggle for wheelchair users. So he developed the idea to invent a wheelchair that can climb stairs.

Majenge started his company, 911 The Wheelchair Doctor and Manufacturing, in 2018, as a wheelchair repair service. He then moved into developing his off-road wheelchairs that will cater to people in townships, rural areas and on farms. “The wheelchair works by gripping onto the stairs to protect the user from falling off while someone easily pulls them up and down the stairs,” Majenge told ThisAbility.

He started his company after he won $1,500 in seed funding from Y-Beca and Transnet Matlafatso Centre at Wits University, which was sponsored by the Industrial Development Corporation. He began refurbishing old wheelchairs to make them stairfriendly. It takes Majenge 24 hours to put

together all the parts needed for each product, Africanews.com reported.

“The secret of the wheelchair are the wheels,” he told the platform. “The wheelchair has been there for years but we only changed the wheels which has star wheels. We can also transform it to have the normal circle wheels that you can use it on a flat surface. It is a two in one wheels.”

His off-road wheelchairs are already making waves in the international market. According to him, he has received orders from France.

“So far we have in a day we can manufacture four wheelchairs and it depended on the order we get since it is a new start-up company. On the ruby side, there were 5 that were sold in France and in South Africa, there were only four,” he said to Africanews.com.

His innovative wheelchair has won him prestigious awards. He received the South African Breweries Foundation disability empowerment award and Transnet Matlafatso Centre pitching competition in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

A2-year-old Ugandan toddler miraculously survived a hippopotamus attack after the herbivore swallowed half of his body before spitting him out. According to The Telegraph, a local man who witnessed the attack had to intervene before the humongous animal let the minor go.

The minor, identified as Paul Iga, was playing around his home when the incident occurred. Paul’s home is said to be close to Lake Edward. The hippopotamus was reportedly trying to swallow the minor after it clenched him with its jaws. A local man who witnessed the attack eventually scared off the animal after he threw stones at it.

The hippo retreated to the lake after it let the toddler go. “This is the first such kind of incident where a hippo strayed out of Lake Edward and attacked a young child,” Ugandan Police said in a statement, adding that the animal “grabbed… the boy from the head and swallowed half of his body.”

“It took the bravery of one Chrispas Bagonza, who was nearby, to save the victim after he stoned the hippo and scared it, causing it to release the victim from its mouth.”

The minor was initially taken to a clinic to receive treatment for the injuries he sustained from the attack. He was later taken to a hospital where he received a vaccine for rabies.

Hippopotamuses are herbivores. But they are known to react with extreme aggression when they feel threatened, The Telegraph reported. The number of annual human deaths stemming from hippo attacks is said to be at least 500. Their tusks can grow more than a foot, and their bite is three times stronger than a lion’s.

“The hippopotamus, with his ferocious jaw force, unique mouth size and sharp teeth, can easily bisect a human body in a single bite,” a study titled Hippopotamus Bite Morbidity stated.

In the wake of the attack, police in the East African nation urged locals to take precautions. “Although the hippo was scared back into the lake, all residents near animal sanctuaries and habitats should know that wild animals are very dangerous,” police said.

“Instinctively, wild animals see humans as a threat and any interaction can cause them to act strangely or aggressively.”

Francis Akhalbey https://face2faceafrica.com/

Morocco to host FIFA Club World Cup in 2023

December 2 0 2 2

Yohane Ashitey to Make Ghana’s Port City of Tema “Shine Again”

Page 13

Morocco has been rewarded by FIFA with hosting rights for the next Club World Cup in February 2023, with an expanded 32-team edition set to launch in 2025.

In 2021, Mr. Yohane Amarh Ashitey promised to revitalise Tema’s growth as part of the

European champion Real Madrid, South American champion Flamengo and Seattle Sounders, the first CONCACAF Champions League winner from the United States, will play in the traditional seven-team tournament from Feb. 1-11.

After Morocco’s inspiring run to the World Cup 2022 semifinals in Qatar, the country will now stage the next global soccer event in weeks time, FIFA’s ruling council decided.

It will be one of the last seven-team editions for continental champions with an expanded, month-long tournament planned to start in 2025.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the intended change was “making it really like a World Cup.” In Morocco, Casablanca should stage games with the city set to provide two teams in the 10-day competition, which features continental champions from each of the six confederations in world soccer.

Wydad won Africa’s Champions League last season and also the Moroccan league. The place FIFA reserves for the host nation’s domestic champion should revert to league runner-up Raja.

Both teams are based in Casablanca, where the 67,000-seat Stade Mohammed V is the likely venue for some of the eight Club World Cup games.

Morocco also hosted Club World Cups in 2013 and 2014, which were won by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, respectively Only European and South American teams have won the Club World Cup since it was revived in the current format in 2005.

FIFA has long wanted to launch an expanded version with 24 or 32 teams in a tournament played in June.

A planned inaugural edition in 2021 in China was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, though no tournament format had been agreed nor broadcasters or sponsors signed.

A 2025 launch is now planned, Infantino said, promising talks with soccer stakeholders after the ruling council approved the principle Friday.

It could be hosted in the United States and serve as a test event for the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Source: AP Arakunrin Lekan

“Make Tema Shine Again” campaign, which will address by-law enforcement, foster a business-friendly climate, and establish collaborations with diverse stakeholders.

In an effort to uphold the pledge, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) has requested support for, and participation in a number of development projects to increase trading activity in Tema region of Ghana, one of Africa’s vibrant port cities.

Mr. Ashitey reinstated his pledge in an appeal for support in September of 2022, from corporate organisations during the inaugural Mayors Ball in Tema. He claimed that with their help, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) will be able to create platforms and opportunities for businesses to flourish as well as form alliances with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for Tema’s residents.

He assumed office in 2021 after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana nominated him for the position, and the Assembly also confirmed him with 97% of the vote.

In Mr. Ashitey’s first public address, he promised that the “Make Tema shine again” campaign will “wage war on the indiscipline to the Assembly’s by-laws on sanitation.” He made this promise at the TMA’s ordinary assembly meeting.

“War on unauthorized traders along the streets and pavements, unauthorized structures, dwindling performance of candidates in education, among others,” are some of the issued he wants to address added.

His September’s call-for-support speech is a reflection of these promises.

He pointed out that other assembly are fortunate to be blessed with income-generating resources such as gold, lumber, bauxite, cocoa, etc., whereas Tema municipality although blessed with industries, is crippled by developmental deficiencies such as substandard roads, education, health, sanitation, sports, and tourism infrastructure.

Tema however houses reputable companies such as Tropical Cables, Tex Style Ghana Limited, Wilmar Ghana, Chemico Limited etc.

Mr. Ashitey has more than ten years experience working in front-line politics and has held a number of positions in the Tema East Constituency, including Elections Coordinator and Technical Advisor.

He is a University of East London graduate and a telecom engineer. The MCE is also a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He attended Presbyterian Boys Senior High School in Legon, Ghana, and was a former instructor at Cavendish College in the United Kingdom.

All you need to know about Adewale Adeyemo, the Nigerian-American Tapped to

by Joe Biden as deputy Treasury secretary Afrikan

December 2022

Post

Page

14

On March 26, 2021, Wally Adeyemo was sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He has been at the center of many of the country’s major economic policy decisions since the 2008 Financial Crisis and has worked in organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to build a stronger and fairer economy.

As Deputy Secretary, Adeyemo serves as the Treasury Department’s number two official and chief operating officer. Adeyemo has taken a leading role in Treasury’s national security, economic inequality, and pandemic-related economic recovery work, while supporting the Secretary in driving the Department’s fundamental mission: promot- Bureau, which was founded after the financial crisis to protect Americans from unfair, deceptive, or abusive consumer financial practices. Adeyemo helped build out the ing economic growth and ensuring the Bureau’s initial executive leadership team and served as a member of its executive financial security of the United States. committee.

This is Adeyemo’s second tour at the Treasury Department. His first began in the early days of the Obama Administration, during the depths of the Great Recession.

Rising through a variety of leadership roles at Treasury, Adeyemo became Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff under Secretary Tim Geithner and Secretary Jack Lew, as well as chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s provisions on macroeconomic policy.

From 2015 to 2017, Adeyemo served in the Obama White House as Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Adeyemo was responsible for coordinating the policymaking process related to international finance, trade and investment, energy, and environmental issues. He also served as President Obama’s representative to the G7 and G20.

Adeyemo also served as the first Chief of Staff of the Consumer Financial Protection

After leaving government in 2017, Adeyemo served as the first president of the Obama Foundation, where he worked with the former president and first lady to help them continue giving back to the country as private citizens. Adeyemo also served as a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and at BlackRock.

Adeyemo was previously a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, which promotes widespread economic opportunity and the competitiveness of America. He also served on the boards of Demos, a New York-based think tank focused on social, political, and economic equity issues; the Golden State Opportunity Foundation, which works to provide financial security to low-income working people throughout California; and Just Homes, a faith-based affordable housing initiative based in Washington, DC. Born in Idaban, Nigeria, Adeyemo immigrated to California’s Inland Empire as young child with his parents, an educator and a nurse. He attended the University of California, Berkeley and Yale Law School. https://home.treasury.go

Ewe Association of Washington DC celebrates end of year get together December 2 0 2 2

After two years of hibernation occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, the Ewe Association of Washington DC EAWDC, on Saturday December 17, 2022, organized its annual get-together at the Adventist Sligo academy on 8300 Carroll Avenue.

The event started with an opening prayer by Reverend Thompson Amesedzi, followed by the procession of traditional chiefs and queen mothers from the following traditional areas: Agotime Kpetoe (Nene Gagli III), Aflao border/Batorme (Torgbui Aglasu Xenyo III), Ziope paramountcy (Torgbui Kpordoave Ahiagba III), Sokode paramountcy (Mamaga Agbobrah II), and Alakple (Mama NyuiawomebↃ The event was also used to swear in the president of the association, Vincent Kossi, for a second term of two years. A new treasurer, Mr. Anthony Ben Vittor, was also sworn in In his acceptance speech, the president asked for the support and cooperation of members to help grow the association and the Ewe community in the DC metro area.

The event was also used to swear in the president of the association, Vincent Kossi, for a second term of two years. A new treasurer, Mr. Anthony Ben Vittor, was also sworn in.

In his acceptance speech, the president asked for the support and cooperation of members to help grow the association and the Ewe community in the DC metro area.

Some members were presented with awards recognizing their contributions to the development of the association.

Among the awardees are Dr. Akua Faustina Quist for her outstanding leadership as president from 2016 - 2020, Genevieve Yayra Amarvie for youth activism, Benjamin Kwaku Senyo for excellent work as chair of Events committee, and Mr. Daniel and Mr. Daniel & Alhaji Owusu for being an outstanding member.

The guest speaker for the occasion was Dr. Tsatsu Nyamadi, president of the Council of Ewe Associations in

Page

15

North America (CEANA). He congratulated the new leadership and members for peacefully electing a new executive.</p><p>He also thanked the association for continually making contributions, monetary and in-kind, to CEANA for projects back at home. Dr. Nyamadi informed the gathering that come February, 2023 CEANA will be handing over to the people of Agordoe in the Akatsi district of the Volta region a footbridge it constructed for the community.In the same month of February 2023, CEANA will hand over four self-contained staff quarters built for nurses at Adutor to help keep nurses in the health facility for emeencies. He appealed to all Ewe people everywhere in North America to join any one of the nineteen Ewe associations that constitute CEANA. Source: Ewe Association of Washington D C Metro Inc.

Afrikan

Post

December 2022

Page

16

AfDB to support Africa’s women-led businesses with up to $250k each December 2 0 2 2

The African Development Bank Group’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative has launched its second call for proposals for the Women Entrepreneurship Enablers program.

The initiative is targeting women’s business associations, incubators, accelerators, women-led cooperatives, and civil society organizations that promote the development of women entrepreneurs on the continent.

AFAWA is offering grants up to $250,000 to organizations and projects that enhance the viability and sustainability of formal women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enables them to access financing opportunities to grow their businesses.

Successful proposals will demonstrate innovative approaches to building a supportive ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship, aimed at improving access to finance for women SMEs.

Enablers are expected to develop a comprehensive and sustainable capacity-building program to enable access to finance in partnership with financial institutions.

Applicants from all 54 African countries are welcomed. Eligible organizations may request one-time funding between $100,000 and $250,000, which will be provided through the Bank’s Gender Equality Trust Fund.

“Our first call for Women Entrepreneurship Enablers proposals drew nearly a thousand applications from organizations doing some groundbreaking work to equip women with the tools to expand their businesses,” said Malado Kaba, the Bank’s Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society “We are excited to pursue this initiative by bringing in a second cohort and funding the development of their capacity building activities allow-

Page

ing women entrepreneurs to obtain significant financing and scale,” she said.

The initiative is one of the Bank’s flagship gender-focused programmes which seeks to accelerate growth and employment creation across African economies, by closing the financing gap for women.

It aims to unlock $5 billion in financing for small and mediumsized enterprises owned and managed by women by 2026.

AFAWA is supported by the Bank’s partners and donors, G7 countries, as well as the Netherlands, Sweden, and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi).

The funding, which aims to strengthen the ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship, is in line with the Bank’s agenda to further gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“Entrepreneurship enablers play an important role in bolstering the skills of women to establish ‘bankable’ SMEs. However, the enablers themselves often face challenges, such as viable longterm growth plans and lack of financing, which reduce their reach, impact, and sustainability” said Esther Dassanou, AFAWA’s Manager.

To learn more about the call for proposals click here. All proposals must be received by 25th November 2022 at 23:59 GMT. Source: AfDB https://face2faceafrica.com/

17

December 2022

Adjiringano Botwe Rd. Next to Goil StationEast Legon, Accra LOC: Abogba : Near the Cemetary Opposite Shell Petrol Station Accra

Kumasi Patasi Road Next to Mango Down E-Mail: dynacorpltd@yahoo.com E-Mail: dynacorpltd@yahoo.com Contacts: 0244 233 626 /0244 421 303 /0674 026 641

Page

18

December 2 0 2 2

Page

19

How immigrants can succeed in America by following these 5 steps

Afrikan Post

The American Dream is a term that is used to describe the ideal of achieving success in America.

It usually consists of having a stable job, owning a home, and being able to provide for one’s family.

The American Dream has been around since the mid-1800s and became popular during the 1920s.

The term was first coined by James Truslow Adams in his book "The Epic of America".

There are many different interpretations of what success means in America. Some people think that it has to do with achieving materialistic goals like wealth and fame, while others believe that it is about achieving personal goals such as happiness or freedom

Americans are very friendly people. They are known for their hospitality and welcoming nature.

This is why you should take the time to learn about the culture of America before you move there In order to make it in America, follow these 5 steps 1) Learn about the culture of America 2) Speak English 3) Be mindful of your social media posts 4) Be aware of your surroundings 5) Respect American values What are the Best Ways for Immigrants to Succeed in America?

Immigrants are often faced with the challenge of assimilating into a new culture, language, and environment. It is not always easy to adjust to these changes. However, if immigrants follow these five steps, they can be successful in America.

1) Be patient: Immigrants need to be patient with themselves and others. They need to take things one day at a time and not rush into anything too quickly.

2) Stay focused on your goals: Immigrants need to

stay focused on their goals and what they want for themselves in America. They should not let the challenges that come their way deter them from achieving their dreams.

3) Don't worry about what you don't have: Immigrants should focus on what they do have instead of dwelling on what they don't have in America. There are many opportunities for immigrants who are willing to work hard enough for them.

4) Surround yourself with people who will support you: Immigrants should surround themselves with people who care about them and will support them. They should also establish relationships with people who are similar to themselves in culture, lifestyle, and background.

5) Stay focused on what's important: Immigrants need to make sure that they stay focused on what is important to them in America. Their focus should be on the things that they enjoy doing the most and are passionate about.

For example, many immigrants want to learn English.

Immigrants need to make sure that they stay focused on what is important to them in America. Their focus should be on the things that they enjoy doing the most and are passionate about. For example, many immigrants want to learn English.

(6) Be willing to take risks: Immigrants have to take risks because life can be unpredictable at times and it's not always going to go their way. They have also just been through a harrowing experience, so it's important for them to have the ability and willingness to take risks.

(7) Be able to adapt: If immigrants can adapt well enough when they are new in a new country, then they will also be good at adapting as they grow and change in America. Their skill at adapting can be seen through their willingness to try things that may be unfamiliar while being willing to give them a chance.

(8) Be helpful to those in need: Immigrants, if they have a strong work ethic can be seen as providing the labor needed to build up the economy.

Conclusion: The American Dream is Alive and Well

Meet the Black Teen Who Builds Planes and Drones From Local Materials July 2022 Page

20

Vidiol Tsague, an 18-year-old Black boy from Cameroon, has gained popularity for his movies in which he flies planes and drones made entirely of local materials.

He has been designing and building an airplane prototype for about 8 years. He gathers cardboard, cartons, wires, and other locally available items to make it.

He can be seen flying drones and planes around 2 meters long along the streets in most of the videos he broadcasts on his TikTok account. He pilots the plane with a remote control, causing it to fly a few feet away and then back to a safe landing. His videos have gone viral, with millions of views on some of them.

Vidiol, who had to leave out of secondary school three years ago owing to the country’s violent war, said he wants to pursue engineering and discover how to build actual airplanes that humans can ride to travel large places.

He has captivated the hearts of many with his outstanding abilities, including organizations and government leaders that have expressed interest in him. He just received scholarship offers and financial assistance to help him continue his education and realize his dream of becoming an engineer.

https://face2faceafrica.com/

12-year-old Nigerian chess master granted asylum in U.S. July 2 0 2 2

12-year-old chess master Tanitoluwa “Tani” Adewumi and his family, who fled Boko Haram in northern Nigeria in 2017, have officially been granted asylum in the United States.

Tani’s family first applied for asylum in 2019 and are elated that the long process has come to an end. “We felt so good and thank God for His mercy upon us. Thanks to our attorneys and the Americans, they are wonderful people,” his father Kayode Adewumi told Chess.com.

Tani made headlines at 8 years old, after defeating 73 of the best chess players in his age group in New York to win his division in the state championship. It took him a little over a year to learn to play chess and become the New York State Primary Chess Champion (Top Players K – 3rd Grade) after debuting at the New York State chess championship.

After arriving in the U.S. in 2017, Tani and his older brother and parents showed resilience in

their new life as refugees and through their immigration hearings to stay in the country legally. Their story, which is one of the many experiences of African immigrants, was made known to the public by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof who visited them in a homeless shelter in Manhattan where they lived.

Tani won over half a dozen trophies in the few months he started playing chess with the help of a part-time chess teacher at his local elementary school, P.S. 116, who taught his class how to play. Tami’s interest in joining the chess club forced his mother, Oluwatoyin Adewumi, to get him enrolled after explaining to the program’s patron, Russell Makofsky, about their financial woes.

Tami’s fees were waived by Makofsky and he won his first tournament in 2018 with the lowest rating of 105. The story of Tani and his family received a lot of attention from New

Page

York Times readers who set up a GoFundMe account to support the family. This enabled the family to move out of the homeless shelter to their own apartment.

At 10 years old, Tani became the 28th-youngest chess player to become a national master in the U.S. Chess Federation. The chess genius has since become an International Chess Federation (FIDE) master, after winning the under-12 division of the North American Youth Chess Championship in 2021.

Tani can now compete internationally after being granted asylum in the U.S. His family’s subse-

quent goal is to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Kristof/Twitter https://face2faceafrica.com/

21

Diallo Sumbry enstooled as development chief in Ghana December 2022

Page

22

Following the naming ceremony, Sumbry, the Wade Family and other guests participated in a ribbon cutting and unveiling for a 3 story library and community center Diallo has developed in the town which also featured a live performance go-go band, Black Alley from Washington DC who were in Ghana for the festivities.

“As a creative and cultural community leader for the past 25 years, I have dedicated my life and work to showing the beauty and relevance to African and African American culture. Since coming to Ghana, I have been committed to bridging the gap and allowing both sides to experience and learn from each other. It is an honor to be bestowed the title of a Chief/King, however I believe that like a fruitful harvest, greatness requires a supportive environment that will provide the necessary elements to produce ripe fruit. That is my vision for Nyame Bekyere and I and invite others to join me here to support the development of this community and other communities I build and work in Africa and in the US,” shared Sumbry.

In December 2018, Sumbry was appointed US Ambassador for Tourism for Ghana in recogniorganization which has organized Birthright Journeys Diallo whose title became Nana One (Nana is tion of his impact on the country’s cultural and used as the title of a monarch to signify their sta- to Ghana for over 1000 African Americans since 2019. tourism sectors, and his role as one of the architus) was recognized by the village elders for his After being enstooled, Sumbry’s first order as a new tects of The Year of Return. He is the first Chief was performing a naming ceremonies for 8 consistent work in the community of Nyame African-American to receive this title.<br /> members of African Ancestry Homecoming who Bekere and his efforts to build bridges between Diallo Sumbry is the host of Diaspora Link on traced their lineage to Ghana through DNA as well Ghana and the global African diaspora as a GhanaWeb TV. Dwayne, Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Wade who were Tourism Ambassador to Ghana, coarchitect/founder of The Year of Return, Director also in attendance at the enstoolment along with over 300 members of royal families, government officials, of Partnerships at African Ancestry, author of media, family, friends, and local residents of the comThe Smart Repatriation Guide to Ghana, and CEO of The Adinkra Group, a cultural resource munity.

Rhema International Bible Church Honors Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater At Its 2nd Anniversary December 2 0 2 2

Ambassador Bridgewater Delivers Remarks

Ambassadors / Representatives from Embassies of Ghana, South Africa, Jamaica, and State of Maryland

Attendees

Attendees

RIBC Pastors (Nnoma-Addisons) Present Plaque to Ambassador Bridgewater

Pastor Nnoma-Addison, Ambassador Bridgewater, Andre Kellum

Page

23

Dr. Mike Jones Presents Masters Degree to Pastor Nnoma-Addison on Behalf of Logos University

Ambassador Bridgewater with Dignitaries

Tema Choir USA, Inc.

Reverend A. Russell Awkard (New Zion Baptist Church, KY) Offers Prayers

Attendees

Attendees

Iraqi Premier League Top Scoring Duo Are Ghanaians Afrikan

Post

Tanzania’s President Cancels Independence Day Celebrations December 2022

Page 24

Tanzania’s president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, has canceled Independence Day celebrations scheduled for Friday, Dec 9 and directed that the budget instead be used to build dormitories for children with special needs.

The 61st Independence Day event was to cost $445,000, money that will be used to build eight dormitories in primary schools around the country.

Dennis Agyare Antwi and Prince Opoku Agyemang, both from Ghana, are now topping the list of highest-scoring players in the elite Iraqi premier league after nine games.

Antwi has played in 9 games for Al Naft SC and has also scored five goals in those games.

The club is a professional sports organisation with its headquarters in Baghdad’s East Tigris River District’s Adhamiyah District. It competes in the Iraqi Premier League, the top tier in that country.

Antwi began his professional football career in 2009 with Ghana’s Accra Academy and has since represented at least twelve different football clubs. From there, he played for league clubs in Ghana, Malaysia, Sweden, Norway, India, Malta, and the United Arab Emirates.

The forward was transferred from Maltese club Mosta FC to his current team in July 2022, during the summer transfer window.

Sports Club from Bibiani Goldstars in August, becoming the third Ghanaian player to play for the team after midfielder Emmanuel Nettey and former Hearts of Oak defender Nuru Sulley joined Duhok in 2021.

Since beginning his football career as a player for the local team Masso FC in Asokwa, the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Agyemang has had a promising career playing for league clubs in Ghana.

He is well known for his goal-scoring performances, which helped him land a stand with the South African team Cape Town City FC before moving on to Duhok in Iraq.

Agyemang was a member of the Ghana Black Stars B team that competed in the Senegal 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations. He scored a total of 10 goals in 5 games for the team captained

by Maxwell Konadu during the tournament’s warm-up games.

Congratulations to both Ghanaian youngers for making their nation and Africa proud all the way in Iraq.

Agyemang on the other hand has earned a reputation as one of the best Ghanaian strikers owing to his placement, finishing, and skill.

The former Bibiani Gold Stars striker in Ghana has been in blistering form for his side Duhok FC, making 9 appearances and scoring Source: TheAfricanDream.net five goals.

He was officially signed by Iraqi team Duhok

Tanzania’s minister of state, George Simbachawene, on Monday said the money had been disbursed. He said the East African country will celebrate Independence Day by having public dialogues on development.

Usually, Independence Day celebrations are marked with pomp and state banquets. This is not, however, the first time Tanzania has canceled the celebrations.

In 2015, then-President John Magufuli canceled celebrations and diverted funds towards the building of a road in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.

The current president, Hassan, is Tanzania’s first female head of state. Currently, only Tanzania and Ethiopia have female heads of state, though the role in Ethiopia is largely ceremonial.Hassan previously drew attention by ordering big-bellied policemen to lose weight to be more effective at work.

She also reversed her predecessor’s stance on contraceptives by urging Tanzanians to embrace family planning.

Magufuli discouraged the use of contraceptives.

Source: Starrfm.com.gh

4A f r i k a n

Post

December 2 0 2 2

Page 25

Germany Returns Looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

By Chiamaka Okafor "We are here to return the Benin Bronzes to where they belong- to the people of Nigeria. We are here to right a wrong," Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, said.

Amidst applause and handshakes, the government of Germany on Tuesday officially handed over 22 stolen Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.

The artefacts were looted from Nigeria in the colonial era and about 125 years later have found their way back to their home in what is meant to right the wrong of colonialists.

"We are here to return the Benin Bronzes to where they belong- to the people of Nigeria. We are here to right a wrong; officials from my country once bought the bronzes knowing that they have been stolen... " Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, said at the event in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

The 22 are part of the total 1130 bronzes held in Germany which the European country promised to return. https://allafrica.com/

Rwanda Tops Africa in Internet Speed December 2022

Page 26

By Esther Favour A new Global Innovation Index (GII) report released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) has ranked Rwanda as the leading low-income country in SubSaharan Africa with the fastest broadband speed. Madagascar comes in 2nd place.

Among the low-income group economies, Rwanda performs above average in six pillars, namely: institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, business sophistication, and, knowledge and technology outputs.

And in Sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda performs above the regional average in three pillars; institutions, human capital and research, and, infrastructure.

According to the report, relative to GDP, Rwanda's performance is above expectations for its level of development, however, Rwanda produces fewer innovation outputs relative to its level of innovation investments.

The GII report of 2021 shows that Rwanda performs better in innovation inputs than innovation outputs, which was an improvement compared to 2020 and 2019.

It reveals the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the innovation performance around 132 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses.

The 15th edition of the GII also ranks Mauritius, South Africa, and Morocco, which have significantly moved up to developed economies in the rankings over the past few years, as the most innovative African countries.

Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe performed above expectations under the lower-middle income category, while Mozambique, and Burundi "outperformed on innovation relative to their development" in the low-income group.

The 2022 edition of the GII tracks the most recent global innovations and trends against an ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, showing productivity, growth, and other evolving challenges.

This edition's thematic focus on the future of innovation-driven growth provides a stance on whether stagnation and low productivity growth are here to stay.

Read the original article on New Times.

https://allafrica.com/

Malian Parents Who Welcomed 9 Babies Return Home After 19 Months In ICU December 2022

Page 27

The five girls and four boys now have the Guinness World Record for the most children to survive a single delivery, and will be joining their older sister, Soda, four – making 10 kids in all.

The nonuplets were delivered prematurely by Caesarean-Section surgery and beat a previous record set by American “Octomum” Nadya Suleman, who had eight babies in 2009.

Kadidia, Oumou, Adama, Fatouma, and Hawa are the girls, while the boys are Mohammed VI, Bah, Elhadji and Oumar.

Mohammed is named after the King of Morocco, as a tribute to the North African kingdom where they were delivered so successfully.

Parents who broke record when they welcomed nine babies at once (nonuplets) have finally returned home after 19 months in an intensive care clinic.

Mother Halima Cissé, 27, and her husband Abdelkader Arby, 36, from Mali, spent almost two years at the specialist Ain Borja clinic in Casablanca, Morocco, following the birth of their nonuplets in May 2021.

They have now been discharged and were on Tuesday, Dec. 14, preparing to meet family and friends in Mali’s capital Bamako, and they will then head on to Timbuktu.

“It’s been a long wait, with plenty of tears, but the babies are now all fighting fit, and everybody is delighted to be coming home,” a close family friend in Mali told Mail Online.

“They are getting lots of support from the Malian government and – God Willing – are now going to enjoy a lovely new home in Timbuktu.

“It has been specially designed for a very big family and is equipped with everything they need.

“The kids have been getting stronger every day, and really get on well with each other – they are very cute indeed.

“There was lots of emotion when they left the clinic in Casablanca – they viewed the staff there as family – but going home as soon as possible was always the plan.”

https://howafrica.com/

Super Eagles End 2022 As Africa's Fifth-Best Team

December 2022

Page 28

games against Algeria, Mexico, and Ecuador In the year's first ranking released in February, FIFA ranked the Super Eagles 32nd in the world and third in Africa, just behind Senegal and Morocco The country's best ranking in 2022 was in March when the Eagles were ranked 30th.

Though 2022 was bad for the Eagles, they still finished one notch better than 2021 when they ended the year in 36th place.

Roaring Lions

By Tunde Eludini FIFA on Thursday officially published its last ranking for the year as Brazil remain the highestranked team in the world.

According to FIFA's monthly rankings, the Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles, will finish 2022 as Africa's fifth-best team and 35th in the world.

FIFA released its final ranking for the year on Thursday, with Brazil remaining the top-ranked team in the world despite failing to advance beyond the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022.

Argentina, who were crowned world champions for the third time last Sunday, rose only to second place, up from third place prior to Qatar 2022. France is third, while Belgium and England are fourth and fifth, respectively.

Poor Year

The year 2022 has largely been a letdown for the Super Eagles, who only made it to the second round of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon before blowing their chance at a seventh World

While it was an awful year for the Eagles, the reverse was the case for Cup appearance against Ghana in March. the Atlas Lions of Morocco who have risen to the number 11 spot, the highest ever in their history.

The Black Stars edged the Super Eagles to the Qatar 2022 ticket on the away goals rule.

Having become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, where they were beaten by France, Morocco now stand as the highest-ranked African side at 11th in the world.

Unfortunately, the Black Stars did not advance beyond the group stage despite recording a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea and ruffling Cristiano Ronaldo and It means Morocco who lost 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place play-off, his Portugal teammates, who eventually now sit above Germany in 14th, claimed a nervy 3-2 win.

Mexico in 15th, and Uruguay in 16th.

Aside from the disappointment in official games, the Eagles did not fare any better Africa's other World Cup flag bearers, Senegal, Tunisia, and Cameroon, in the handful of friendly games played were ranked 19, 30, and 33, respecin the year. tively. Ghana, the other country from Africa at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Just before the commencement of the are in the 58th position.

World Cup, Portugal hammered the Eagles 4-0 in Lisbon. The Eagles' greatest FIFA will publish the next ranking in loss in almost three decades followed February 2023. another 2-0 defeat at the hands of Costa Rica in San Jose.

The Super Eagles also lost in friendly

The African diaspora thrives in the United States December 2022

Page 29

Ethiopian American Gebisa Ejeta won the World Food Prize in 2009 for his research on making sorghum resilient to drought, extreme weather and diseases.

The United States is home to a thriving African diaspora that has made important cultural, scientific and civic contributions.

Somali American model, Iman graced runways and magazine covers for decades, but she has also been an active philanthropist.

She’s the first global advocate for CARE, a humanitarian and anti-poverty organization, and has worked with the nongovernmental organizations Children’s Defense Fund and Save the Children.

A distinguished professor of plant breeding and genetics and international agriculture at Purdue University, Ejeta has also served as an adviser to several U.S. government agencies to address world hunger.

Amara La Negra

Amara La Negra — a Dominican American singer, actress and televiIn anticipation of the upcoming U.S.-Africa sion show host — advocates for the Leaders Summit, here are six members of the inclusion of Afro-Latinx voices in the African diaspora: national and international entertainment industry. She has sparked conKehinde Wiley whose father is from Nigeria, is a Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala New York City–based portrait painter who refer- Nigerian American economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala versation about colorism and pushed for a broader representation of the ences 17th- and 18th-century portraiture to renis the seventh director-generBlack Caribbean and Latin American der African American subjects in contemporary al of the World Trade diaspora. settings.

Organization.

In 2017, Wiley became the first Black artist to She is also the first woman “I have to use my voice to talk about paint the official portrait of a president when the and first African to serve in Afro-Latinos because I feel like we’ve Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery commisthe position since the organibeen ignored for so many years,” she sioned him to paint former President Barack zation was founded 27 years told Allure magazine in 2018, “but Obama. ago. She has been named mainly at the end of the day, my mesunder Forbes World’s 100 sage is that you should never feel Iman Most Powerful Women in that you aren’t beautiful.”

2022, for the 6th time in her career.

Farai Chideya Arakunrin Lekan Farai Chideya, whose father is from Zimbabwe, is WWW.FACE2FACEAFRICA.COM an American journalist, writer and radio host from Baltimore, Maryland.

Source: share.america.gov She has reported for NPR, ABC News and Newsweek magazine, in addition to being a distinguished writer in residence at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute from 2012 to 2016.

Gebisa Ejeta

Asanteman Association of Washington Metro Celebrates End of Year with Dinner Dance December

Kevin Aikens, General Secretaty and now Vice President elect receiving a plaque in recognition of his exemplery service to the association

Asanteman Executives and Traditional Leaders

Photos By DJ Rekone

2022

Page 30

Nana Asantewaa aka Florence Agyeman ( Kontihemaa of Asanteman Washington) being honored with an award for her dedicated service to the association

UNFPA Representative presents credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs December

The Honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on Friday 23 December 2022 received the credentials of the new Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Dr. David Wilfred OOchan.

During the meeting, Hon. Minister Shirley Botchwey congratulated Dr. Ochan on his appointment and assuming duties in the Republic of Ghana.

She welcomed him to the country and assured him of the Government’s commitment to continue collaborating with UNFPA to realise sexual and reproductive health for all.

She stated that "the Government of Ghana is interested in tackling issues of adolescent pregnancy, maternal mortality and youth empowerment and thus, the Ministry will be committed to supporting the work of UNFPA in Ghana."

Dr. Ochan appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration for its recent assistance in the approval of the UNFPA 8th Country Programme (2023–2027), support with the ICPD+25 review processes and the ongoing tracking systems with the NDPC.

He appreciated the strong support provided by the Ministry to UNFPA in Ghana, and in facilitating

2022

Page 31

the participation of Ghanaian delegates to international and regional fora organised by UNFPA. Dr. Ochan noted that UNFPA will continue to invest in promoting the wellbeing of the Ghanaian population through the approved 8th Country Programme. He also extended warm greetings from the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem to the people of Ghana through the Minister.

He continued, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has been very helpful to us.

We pledge to continue doing our best to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices in Ghana with your support."

He observed the need to deepen work in these areas by working with government entities, private sector, faith-based and cultural institutions, and women-and youth-led organisations.

He also highlighted opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

At 27, Nigerian-born Giannis Antetokounmpo is the youngest and 4th highest paid NBA player, earning $86.5 million in 2022 December 2022

According to the Forbes NBA highest-Paid Players 2022, Giannis Ugo Antetokounmpo, age 27, is the 4th highestpaid NBA player with an earning of $86.5 million. His earnings comprised $42.5 million ON-COURT and $44 million OFFCOURT. He currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 28-year-old Greek-Nigerian NBA superstar was born December 6, 1994, in Sepolia, Athens, to Nigerian immigrants.

Life in Sepolia was difficult as his parents struggled to find steady employment. The Greece law prohibiting granting citizenship by birth made issues worse for him, his siblings, and her parents, who were also undocumented immigrants. To survive, the kids joined their parents in selling goods on the street or at beaches.

His real Nigerian name was Sina Ugo Adetokunbo. After gaining Greek citizenship in 2013, he assumed Antetokounmpo (Αντετοκούνμπο), the transliterated (letterfor-letter) Greek version of Adetokunbo as his official name.

At age 13, Giannis was spotted by a Greek man named Spiros Velliniatis, while Giannis was playing on the street as usual with his siblings. Spiros said he felt a divine inspiration prompting him to pay attention to Giannis. He noticed the limbs of the young lad and his athletics gift as he ran around the play arena.

He introduced Giannis and his brothers to the youth teams of Filathlitikos, a medium club in the suburb of Zografou in Athens, where they played in the second division.

In 2011, he began playing for the senior team in Filathlitikos, from where he joined the 2013 NBA draft and was selected 15th overall by Milwaukee Bucks.

In 2017, his success and road to stardom began to manifest when he was named the Most Improved Player. After that award, he

Page 32

NBA 75th Anniversary Team FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer – 2022 Of all the top ten earners, Giannis is the only one yet to turn 30. He was the subject of ‘Rise,’ a film released on Disney+ in June.

Others on the top 10 list include:

1. Lebron James (124.5M)

2. Stephen Curry ($95.1M)

Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

was selected six times as an All-Star, including emerging as the All-Star captain in 2019 and 2020.

He also won consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, making history as the third player, after AbdulJabbar and LeBron James, in NBA history to win double MVPs before turning 26.

His sterling performances landed him a five-year supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020, worth $228 million, along with endorsement deals from Nike, 2K Sports, and Kraken.

Achievements

NBA All-Rockie Second Team – 2014 NBA All-Defensive Second Team – 2017 NBA Most Improved Player – 2017 All NBA Second Team – 2017, 2018 Euroscar Player of the Year – 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player – 2019, 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the year – 2020 NBA Champion 2021 NBA Finals MVP – 2021 NBA All-Star Game MVP – 2021 NBA All-Star Valuable Player – 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 All-NBA First Team – 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team – 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

3. Kevin Durant ($88M)

5. Russell Westbrook ($82.1)

6. Klay Thompson ($60.6M)

7. Damian Lillard ($60.5M) 8. James Harden ($53M)

9. Paul George ($51M)

10. Jimmy Butler ($49.7) Ben Ebuka https://face2faceafrica.com/

I will run Ghana like a business — Kennedy Agyapong formally declares intention to run for President December 2022

Page 33

he believes it will promote Ghana’s development in more ways than one.

“Women farm owners, farm partners, and farm laborers provide 70 to 80% of the country’s food”. “I have plans to create globally competitive industries, make commercial farming attractive like what pertains in Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania and other industrial countries. Ghana is well endowed with minerals would be used to turn the economic fortunes of the country around,”.

“I will focus on business development. I have the experience to create jobs for the youth with my record of business life. My steel company when completed will employ over 1,000 workers

Ghanaian politician and business man, Hon Kennedy Agyapong who has made his presidential ambitions known has stated emphatically that he will transform Ghana within 2 years if he’s voted into power in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The legislator indicated that he will initiate plans to create an economy that will be the envy of the world. Speaking with some supporters in Woodbridge, Virginia, Kennedy Agyapong outlined his steps to curb poverty in the country within two years. He talked about security, the informal sector, business development, discipline and education.

With education, he claimed he will not take and enjoy his salary. He promised that he will channel his salary into a scholarship scheme to pay the fees of the poor because

The townhall was held under the auspices of his support groups Friends of Ken Global and We are for Ken Worldwide.

In attendance was the founder and leader of Divine Word Ministries International, Bishop Kofi Adonteng Boateng and the Chief Executive Officer of Banahene Specialist Hospital, Dr. Ebenezer Banahehene among several other dignitaries. www.sankofaradio.com

The Cost of hosting FIFA World Cup since 1990 December 2022

Page 34

With a total of twenty-one competitions since the first World Cup in 1930, eighteen nations have hosted the FIFA World Cup.

A host nation will receive tremendous exposure as a result of hosting the World Cup in terms of tourism, international trade, jobs, and the potential for new development. But there’s a big price to pay for that

Experts have determined that costs depend on stadiums capacity and construction. Countries will no standard stadiums prior to hosting have bigger World Cup budgets.

Below is the list of World Cup host countries and their costs since 1990:

Italy World Cup 1990 ($4 billion) 12 cities were choosen for the 1990 world cup hosting by the Italian football federation. Tournament began on 8th June and final played on 8th July 1990. West Germany become the champions while Argentina finished as runner-ups in the competition.

Overall tournament cost Italy worth of $4 billion and with a massive profit for Italy, made from the tickets sales, hotel business and fashion.

construction of new stadiums before the cup.

However, a huge profit was made by both football federations following enormous support from local fans. The tournament was won by Brazil.

Germany World Cup 2006 ($4.6 billion) USA World Cup 1994 ($500 million) Just with 1 voting difference, South Africa lost the After 4 years, the hosting of the world cup move to hosting rights to Germany for 2006 world cup.

United States in 1994. In June 18, 1994 the event Germany already held a strong football league began with the match between United States and (Bundesliga) and did not require a bigger budget to Switzerland. host the event in 12 different venues in the country.

Brazil become the champions, while former hosts Italy become the new champions, lifting the trophy of the World Cup Italy finished runner-ups. Overall, after defeating France in the finals. event and management of USA World Cup 1994 cost $500m.

South Africa World Cup 2010 ($3.6 billion) After a four-year wait, South Africa tried another France World Cup 1998 ($2.33 billion) luck at hosting World Cup in 2010 and won the France in 1998 was both the World Cup host coun- rights. try and champion after defeating Brazil in the final. South Africa football federation invested more than All matches were played in 10 different stadiums $3.6 billion to host the event in 9 cities. Spain that were adjusted for the World Cup. became the champions for the first time after defeatAfter watching huge increase in the ticket sales, ing Netherlands in the final.

French football federation, made changes to hotels, fans staying, and cultural activities. It footed a Brazil World Cup 2014 ($15 billion) $2.33 billion budget for the development of stadiBrazil won the hosting rights ahead of two other ums and seating capacity. bidders —Argentina and Colombia, for the 2014 FIFA World Cup .

Korea & Japan World Cup 2002 ($7 Billion) According to football sources, the World Cup in South Korea and Japan stepped forward and earned 2014, cost more than $15 billion. Germany became the rights to host the Fifa World Cup. According to champions after defeating Argentina in finals. reports, the event cost more than $7 billion for the Russia World Cup 2018 ($11.6 billion)

Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium and England competed alongside Russia for World Cup 2018 hosting rights. Russia won with 13 votes.

The tournament cost Russia more than $11.6 billion. France won the World Cup for the 2nd time since 1998 after defeating Croatia.

Qatar World Cup 2022 ($229 billion) The Qatari government spent about $229 billion on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which takes place from November 20 to December 18, making it the most expensive World Cup ever.

That sum is nearly five times the $48.63 billion that was spent on national soccer competitions from 1990 to 2018 in total. It’s for the first time when World Cup moved from summer to winter season due to weather condition and covid-19.

The next World Cup will be in 2026, and it will be hosted by three countries for the first time ever. Host countries are the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Source: TotalSportal

December 2022

Page 35

Ethiopian-American designer shares the meaning of each of his 5 chairs featured in Black Panther 2

The Wakanda Forever set, featuring the ‘Boraatii’ and ‘Ashanti’ stools by Jomo Tariku (Image credit: Courtesy Marvel Studios)

You may have noticed five distinct chairs of African origin in the last scenes of the $250 million Black Panther: Wakanda Forever movie, and wondered what they mean and their significance.

the Nyala chair in the high-impact movie.

The Mukecha also appeared in the wrapping scene of Wakanda Forever in the same setting as Nyala. The Mukecha is a wooden chair consisting of orange rings, referencing the neck At face value, Ethiopian-American designer rings on the bronze busts from the kingdom of Jomo Tariku, who is behind the symbolic Benin. “We have barely touched our own chairs, said his idea was to export the work of resources to do design work as Africans,” he Black designers to a diverse audience and told Dezeen. “We have a lot to contribute to the promote the African heritage. Tariku’s artistic library of design by using our culture so within work is a result of the inspiration he draws the limited time I have in proceeding with my from his early childhood days in Ethiopia, as career, I want to highlight the works of obviously reported by Dezeen. myself and other African designers.”

These five chairs which were showcased in Wakanda Forever are Nyala, Mukecha, Boraatii, Ashanti and Dogon. The Nyala was featured at the end of the living room of Wakanda Forever. Tariku drew inspiration from the Nyala mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains in East Africa. The horns and legs of the antelope provided the stimulation for the carving of the armrests and legs of the chair..

He said he connects with nature and that is where he picks most of his designs. He said another area where he draws inspiration is from books and research he conducts. He added that when the inspiration hits him from observing the things he loves, he quickly pencils silhouettes down for later carvings of the artistic work. The result, according to him, is

The Boraatii, according to Tariku, was one of the three significant works the Wakanda Forever team wanted badly on sets including Ashanti and Dogon. They wanted the work in its authentic form with no embellishments.

The Boraatii is quite novel and has no links to any ancient design. The Boraatii has a triangular base that was inspired by a headrest of Ethiopian origin. He said these are works that he invested a lot of man-hours in carving. He explained that when he has major work, he solicits support from other builders to carry it through, but, it was different with the Wakanda Forever project.

Tariku said with the Ashanti stool, he picked the art impressions from the West African nation of

Ghana. He said he has a certain affinity for Ashanti stools and it is one of his prized works of art. He said his difficulty is how to produce an Ashanti stool that has a touch of originality but does differ a bit from the traditional ones.

He said one distinct feature about how he names his works is closely linked with where he either got the inspiration or the country it is associated with. The Ashanti stool, for example, is connected to the Ashanti traditional area in Ghana hence the name, he said.

The designer said the Dogon is what sums up the African heritage he sought to portray. He assembled the five chairs in the final scene of Wakanda Forever. He added a touch of a historical relic to give the scene a variety of African culture with coffee pots called Ebena and basket tables from Ethiopia. https://face2faceafrica.com/

The 5 Greatest African Teams in World Cup history December 2022

Page 34

Five African teams are currently playing in Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, looking to have their names into the tournament’s illustrious history. Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia are all hoping to break the continent’s quarter-final jinx. Cameroon was the first African country to set the quarterfinal ceiling at the Italy 1990 World Cup, then Ghana at the South Africa 2010 World Cup. Below is the list of the African teams that caused the greatest World Cup stir:

continental crown back to Nigeria only a few months earlier, looked to have the world at his feet.

Coach: Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhof remains one of the great names in Nigerian football. He took charge of the nation’s Golden Generation of the early ’90s and finally began to realise the country’s immense footballing potential. As well as harnessing a collection of memorable talents, he crucially won the AFCON title with the Super Eagles.

Defining Moment: Nigeria’s opening game of the tournament, and their first-ever match in the World Cup, was against Bulgaria at the Cotton Bowl, Dallas. A Super Eagles side containing the likes of Finidi George, Rashidi Yekini and Daniel Amokachi smashed the Eastern Europeans 3-0 in a match that remains one of Africa’s finest single performances at the World Cup.

Algeria 1982

World Cup Showing: Round 1—Played 3, Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 1

Star Man: Rabah Madjer is one of North Africa’s finest exports. The striker was a European Cup winner with Porto in 1987, having scored an equaliser in the final, and was also African Footballer of the Year in the same year. Both he and the magnificent Lakhdar Belloumi were in fine fettle during the World Cup in Spain.

Coach: The Desert Foxes prospered under the tutelage of two men during the summer of ’82. Mahieddine Khalef looked after the team during the Summer Olympics of 1980, while he was joined in Spain by Rachid Mekhloufi, himself a national hero from the legendary FLN team of the late ’50s and early ’60s.

Defining Moment: Unfortunately, Algeria were eliminated in the first round following collusion between Austria and West Germany. The two European neighbours conspired for a German victory.

The Nichtangriffspakt von Gijon remains one of the ugliest moments in World Cup history—prompting a change in the rules—and ultimately ended a remarkable Algeria journey in which they had stunned West Germany 2-1 in their opener, before also dispatching Chile 3-2 in their final group game.

World Cup Showing: Quarter-final—Played 5, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 2

Star Man: Roger Milla may have made history (and become a medical mystery) by finding the net at the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42, but he also made some vital contributions four years previously.

He scored two extra-time goals against Colombia in the Round of 16 to secure Cameroon’s place in history as Africa’s first-ever representatives in the quarter-final.

Coach: Having given up on his mediocre playing career in his midtwenties, Valeri Nepomniachi had a long time to prepare for his coaching career. Although major success in his homeland has, thus far, avoided him, the veteran boss has built a reputation for himself in Turkey and China. His finest hour, however, remains that summer in Italy with Cameroon.

World Cup Showing: Round of 16—Played 4, Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 2

Star Man: For Emmanuel Amuneke, in a career of many injuries and many frustrations, the World Cup in 1994 stands, almost unbroken, as a souvenir of the winger’s sublime skill. He scored against Italy and Bulgaria and, having been tremendously influential in bringing the

Defining Moment: Cameroon opened the 1990 World Cup with a battle against the holders Argentina. In one of the tournament’s greatest-ever shocks, the Indomitable Lions held their own through a bad-tempered match in which two of their number were sent off.

The clash was settled 67 minutes from the end when Francois Omam-Biyik leapt above the defence to head home—the Albiceleste, stunningly, could find no reply.

The 5 Greatest African Teams in World Cup history December 2 0 2 2

Page

37

World Cup Showing: Quarter-final—Played 5, Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 1 Star Man: Before El-Hadji Diouf became the most-detested figure in British football, he was a lightning player with the world at his feet. Certainly, the controversies and the questions of temperament lingered, but people spoke of the leftsided forward for his pace and his incisive movement, rather than his spitting and his acrimonious comments.

Coach: The late Bruno Metsu enjoyed a long and distinguished career in his native France, as well as Asia and Africa. The summer of 2002 was his crowning glory, but he also won the Gulf Cup with the United Arab Emirates in 2007. He passed away in October 2013 following a long battle with colon cancer.

Defining Moment: The Teranga Lions’ opening defeat of France will eternally be remembered as one of the tournament’s greatest upsets and one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.

The West Africans were debutants, while France were not only a European powerhouse and the reigning world champions, but one of history’s greatest collection of international players.

World Cup Showing: Quarter-final—Played 5, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 2

Star Man: Asamoah “Baby Jet” Gyan was the figurehead of a Ghanaian side that packed the midfield with strong players.

These men built the moves while Gyan was there to finish them off.

He scored the extra-time winner against the United States, a late winner against Serbia in the Black Stars’ opening match and a first-half equaliser against Australia in Rustenburg. Despite missing the late, late penalty against Uruguay in the quarter-final, Gyan held his nerve to open the scoring in the ill-fated shoot-out.

Coach: Serbian Milovan Rajevac was one of numerous Yugoslav

managers to find recognition though managing in Africa. He took over the Black Stars post in August 2008 and guided the team to the final of the 2010 AFCON before heading to the World Cup. He has been out of the game since leaving the Qatar post in 2011.

Defining Moment: For all their good work, Ghana’s World Cup showing in 2010 is best remembered for Luis Suarez’s goal-line hand-ball in the dying seconds of the quarter-final. The Uruguayan’s actions denied Ghana’s place in the semi-final.

Source: Bleacher Report

Africa’s first photo library opens in Accra December 2022

Page 37

poverty line and our youth are desperate for new opportunities.

“We cannot fail them,” he said.

The Dikan Centre frameworks the urgency to accelerate the new African dream of providing real opportunities.

The library started with Paul’s private collection during his studies in New York. He invested his income and savings in books on photography and filmmaking, hoping to bridge the gap between both the unavailability and inaccessibility of such books in Africa. Others were donated by institutions such as the International Center of Photography and the Howard Greenberg Gallery.

After years of investing and collecting books in New York and other libraries across the world, Paul returned to Ghana in 2021 to start Dikan, a home to photographers and other creatives that tell impactful stories.

An ultra modern photo library and exhibition centre which is expected to boost photography and visual story telling that target at harnessing imagery resources across the continent has been commissioned at South La neighborhood in Accra.

Known as Dikan Centre, the multi million dollar project which is an initiative of the GhanaianAmerican trained documentary photographer, Paul Ninson has in stock over 30,000 photo books.

It will offer a golden opportunity to facilitate photographic talent hunt and also be used as reference centre for the African photography industry.

Apart from the library, the Dikan Centre has an art gallery, photo studio and editing department where editing of films and other productions take place.

In his welcome address at the commissioning, the Founder and CEO of the Dikan Centre, Mr Paul Ampofo Ninson paid a glowing tribute to Mr Brandon Stanton, CEO of Creator of Humans of the United State of America for making his dream come to fruition .

He said the centre is poised to mobilise efforts to sharpen the identity of the African creative arts industry that has been left untapped, undeveloped and unattended to for centuries, adding that the centre is gathering power and momentum to use the tools of visual education to bring into richness the continent’s creative –visual-arts industry into fine form and commercial viability.

“We are determined never to leave behind any person, idea, history, culture, concept and facility necessary in re-imagining and firming the place of visual education in building a modernised African economy – If you know and have knowledge, see and/or hear, you are a storyteller Dikan will find you” said Mr Paul Ninson.

The centre offers refresher courses and professional training programmes expected to attract photography students and visual story tellers from around the world.

In the short-term Paul hopes to secure and make other visual instructional materials accessible both online and offline by securing iPads, and laptops at the Dikan library.

One of Dikan’s marquee project is the Black book room, a space with resources documenting black visuals spanning generations. This project is to foster accessibility of books and other resources dedicated to Africans. The collection is envisioned to advance learning, teaching, research and support educational programme. Photos by Joseph Mawuli Tibu

The centre teaches leadership skills, critical thinking and innovation as a complement to its interdisciplinary programme with a strong foundation crafted around the African context.He said for centuries, African history, Source: David Andoh culture and society lacked the central ingredients for https://www.myjoyonline.com/ transforming its potential into a commercially viable creative-visual-arts workforce.

The Dikan journey pivots the very essence of the emerging African dream.

Mr Ninson expressed worry that the African continent is crippled by the enormous confrontations that undermine dreams of people while it is desperate to participate in the opportunities of this world.

The ideas, fortitude, talent and skillsets of the bulk of this continent never gets materialised or amplified.

According to him, the failure of private enterprises and the weaknesses of our institutions of government have fed into global terrorism and migration crisis.

“Millions on the continent are surviving below the

Ghanaian wins Teen Univers USA

December 2022

A 19-year-old Ghanaian resident in the US, Vanessa Adwoa Rose Smith, has been adjudged Teen Univers USA after winning the same pageant for the state of Arizona.

Page 38

ed to go through with pageantry. It can show all different sides to you.

You can be studious and ambitious all while being poise, beautiful and leading with your character.”

According to her, she is earnestly looking forward to participating in Ms. Smith will thus represent the USA in Spain in February, 2023. the forthcoming contest in Spain, “I am currently preparing for the International competition that will be held in Spain. I continuously do Born to a Ghanaian father, Charles Smith, and a Sierra Leonean mother, Hawa work throughout my community, mainly focusing on the youth. I am Smith, Vannesa is a product of Hamilton High School and now studying sysvery adamant about advocating for the youth because I know personally tems engineering at Arizona State University. how much we have to offer, but as young people it is harder to be taken seriously. We are the future and my mission is to provide the youth Speaking of her achievement, the Miss Teen Univers USA said, “What drew me with as much resources to make a successful future.” to pageantry is my desire to be able to be versatile and adaptable. I love school Vanessa, who is Arizona’s Top Model 2023, says her hobbies include; and everything in between but I also love the arts. I am so grateful to have par- crocheting, photography, dance, cooking and trying out new recipes. ents who have supported and encouraged me through every venture I took on.”

Touching on why a science student will venture into pageantry, Vanessa https://www.myjoyonline.com/ explained that, “Some may not see a correlation between the arts and STEM, but why should we have to limit ourselves to one identity? That is why I decid-