Afrikan Post July 2011

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Vol 3 Issue 7

3G NIGHT OF THE STARS AWARDS Pg. 30

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July 2011

Afrikan Post

From the Editor

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Notable African Immigrants in the United States

Our Gr ea t est Glory is n ot in n e v e r fa ll i ng b ut i n risin g every time we f a l l .

We are committted to bringing the c o m muni t y t he best in News fro m Af ri c a a n d t he Di as p ora. You may also v i si t o u r w e b s i t e w ww.afrikan post.com f o r d a i l y ne w s updat es for A frica.

D i s c la i mer : T h e opi ni o n s expressed in art i c l e s a n d sto r i es i n t hi s New spaper are tho se o f t h e a u t hor s a n d do n ot n ecessa ri l y re f le ct t he vi ews of Afrikan Post . Al l c o m ments and su ggestion s are we l c o m e .

The following is a list of notable immigrants to the United States, or children born in the United States to at least one parents who immigrated from Africa.

Academia and science

George Bright-Abu Publisher and Editor

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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

OmonI Oboli plays lead role in Ukrainian movie pg. 36 UPDATE

Pg. 7 HEALTH ISSUES AIDS activist proves there's life after HIV pg. 13

HER PAGE

Search Yourself pg. 20

Kwame Anthony Appiah, Half Ghanaian, philosopher, Kitaw Ejigu, Ethiopia, former NASA chief engineer Sossina M. Haile, Ethiopia, fuel cell engineer Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong, Ghana, Professor of African and African American Studies; Chair, Committee on African Studies, Harvard university Dinaw Mengestu, Ethiopia, author Said Sheikh Samatar, Somalia, historian John Ogbu, Nigeria, anthropologist Fred McBagonluri, Ghanaian, Engineer,Author: 2009 US Astronaut Candidate Finalist/2008 NJBiz Innovator Hero Pashington Obeng Ghana, Ph. D, author, professor at Wellesley College and Harvard University.[29] Window Snyder, half Kenyan, chief security officer at Mozilla Corporation Bisi Ezerioha, Nigerian, professional racing driver, engine builder, engineer, and industrialist Kwabena Boahen, PhD, Ghana, Professor of Bioengineering; Principal Investigator, Lab. Brains in Silicon, Stanford University Victor Ukpolo Nigerian, chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans Claude Ake, Nigerian political scientist, Yale University Professor Ahmed Zewail, Egypt, scientist and winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Jem Spectar, Cameroon, President of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Acting Akosua Busia, Ghana, notable performance as Nettie in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Nigeria Gbenga Akinnagbe, Nigeria Sophie Okonedo, half Nigerian Djimon Hounsou, Benin Edi Gathegi, Kenya Boris Kodjoe, half Ghanaian Peter Mensah, Ghana Omar Sharif, Egypt Cliff Simon, South African Jaye Davidson, Half Ghanaian Charlize Theron, South African Arnold Vosloo, South African Gabourey Sidibe, Half Senegalese Nana Gbewonyo, Ghana Idris Elba, half Ghanaian Athletes

SPORTS

From Bukom to Bronx pg. 39

Star Studded “Wedding of the Century ” Shakes Columbus Ohio Pg. 22

Freddy Adu, Ghana, soccer Gale Agbossoumonde, Togo by way of Benin, soccer Ebenezer Ekuban, Ghana, NFL football Kofi Kingston, Ghana, professional wrestling Bernard Lagat, Kenya, runner Dikembe Mutombo, D.R. Congo, NBA basketball Luc Mbah a Moute, Cameroon, basketball Danny Mwanga, D.R. Congo, soccer Amobi Okoye, Nigeria, football Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigeria, NBA basketball Robbie Russell, Ghana, soccer Nazr Mohammed Ghana, NBA basketball Tony Tchani, Cameroon, soccer Hasheem Thabeet, Tanzania, NBA basketball Jean-Pierre Tokoto, Cameroon, soccer

Afrikan Post Call : 703-725-6968 Email : editor@afrikanpost.com

Madieu Williams, Sierra Leone, NFL Football Joshua Clottey, Ghana, professional boxer Nyan Boateng, Ghana, NFL Dominic Oduro, Ghana, Soccer Business Kase Lukman Lawal, Nigeria. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CAMAC HOLDINGS Noah Samara, Ethiopia, CEO of Worldspace Eric Osiakwan, Ghana, internet entrepreneur and researcher [32] Roelof Botha, South African, former Chief Financial Officer of Paypal Fashion Alek Wek, Sudan, supermodel, handbag designer Amsale Aberra, Ethiopia, fashion designer Waris Dirie, Somalia, supermodel, author and human rights activist, Iman, Somalia, supermodel, actress, philanthropist,fashion and cosmetic designer Liya Kebede, Ethiopia, Supermodel, actress Oluchi Onweagba, Nigeria, Supermodel and Victoria Secret Angel, cover girl for S.I. Kiara Kabukuru, Uganda, supermodel Cover girl for Vogue U.S.A and Spain Afua Sam-Ghana, Fashion Designer Journalism and literature Selamawi Asgedom, Ethiopia and Eritrea, author Charles Mudede, Zimbabwean, Filmmaker and Film Critic Hoda Kotb, Egypt, television news anchor with NBC's The Today Show Ray Choto, Zimbabwe, Author, Journalist, Founder of Voice of America's Studio 7 radio program for Zimbabwe based in Washington DC.[4] Dinaw Mengestu, Ethiopia, author Ngu~gi~ wa Thiong'o, Kenya, world renowned author Music Tunde Adebimpe, Nigeria, lead singer for band experimental rock band TV on the Radio Akon, Senegalese, hip-hop and pop star – Although born in St. Louis, he spent his early childhood in Senegal, and did not settle permanently in the U.S. until he was a teenager.

Rhian Benson, Half Ghanaian soul and jazz singer, songwriter, and composer.

Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, DR Congo, guitarist for band Gym Class Heroes, grandnephew of Patrice Lumumba Kenna, Ethiopia, Alternative rock musician Dave Matthews, South African William Chapman Nyaho, Ghana, concert pianist Lil' O, Nigeria, rapper K'naan, Somalia, poet, rapper and songwriter Tyler, the Creator, half-Nigerian, rapper and creator of OFWGKTA Government Barack Obama, Kenyan Father, 44th and current president of the United States of America.

Source :wikipedia.org

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KNUST Alumni Association of North America Sixtieth Anniversary Fundraising Banquet Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST )Alumni of North America had their 8th Biennial Convention at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield, Virginia from Friday July 1st to Monday July 4th, 2011. The event coincided with the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Centenary celebration of the birth of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Founder of the Nation, and the University. The Convention recognized his extraordinary vision and foresight. The theme for the convention is “BEYOND THE HORIZON ”: Assessing KNUST ’s Future Strategies for addressing current national and international challenges facing the University. The event was patronized by many important dignitaries from around the world. Among the guests from the University are both the past and current Vice Chancellors and all Provosts from the various Colleges. Every other year, the North American branch of Alumni Association meets with regional professionals, academics, business people and many dynamic individuals and entrepreneurs to debate and deliberate on how best the Association can help the University. At this event, funds are raised, and all proceeds donated to the Alumni Association for the construction of Students ’ residential facilities at the Kumasi campus.

Source: KNUST Alumni Association Public Relations Department.

Prof. Akwasi Adarkwa, former Vice Chancellor , Professor Otoo Ellis,-Current Vice Chancellor and Joe Okyere Conduah

President of the KNUST Alumni Association of North America Joe Okyere Conduah giving his remarks

Professor Seth Opuni Asiamah, Provost, College of Architecture and Planning ,Tony Danklu, the President of the Alumni Asociation in Ghana.

Prof. George Ayittey receiving an award for playing a role as a key note speaker.

The Vice Chancellor of KNUST Professor Otoo Ellis receiving an award from Dr. Wright

Kwaku Boateng, an Alumni receiving an award on behalf of the DMV chapter for being the Dynamic Chapter.

Kofi Afful-Chairman of Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA) Washington DC Metro

Katanga patriots raising funds for KNUST

Fundraising Time-Alumni making financial contributions to KNUST

Swearing in of the new Executives

Prof. Sam Adunyah addressing the delegates

Dr. Charles Osei Dankwah , a KNUST Alumni and Industrialist with his wife

July

Togo to Host 6th ECOWAS Trade Fair in November 2011 SPONSOR WIRE Lome —— The Government of Togo will in November 2011 host the 6th ECOWAS Trade Fair, a regional platform for accessing West Africa's market of some 300 million consumers.

In a letter to the Togolese Government confirming the hosting mandate, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency James Victor Gbeho, assured that the Commission would deploy all necessary resources to ensure a successful hosting, comparable to the 2003 edition hosted by the Country.

To this end, a four-day meeting of the Regional Organizing Committee (ROC) has just ended in Lome, the Togolese capital to fine tune arrangements for the hosting. Members of the ROC used the opportunity of their meeting to pay a courtesy visit on the Togolese Minister of Commerce, Mr. Kwesi Seleagodji AhoomeyZunu, on Thursday, 30th June 2011 on the sidelines of their meeting in Lome. During the visit, the head of the ECOWAS delegation, Mr. Adou Koman thanked the Government of Togo for accepting to host the fair and briefed him on the developments that resulted in the change of venue. In his response, Minister Ahoomey-Zunu acknowledged the challenges related to the hosting of the fair within the time-frame allowed but assured members of the Committee of Togo's determination to organize a successful fair towards the realization of the Community's objective of economic integration. The 17-day fair, which begins on 25th November 2011, will be held alongside the 9th Lome International Trade Fair, a special arrangement made between the ECOWAS Commission and the Government

of Togo, due to the inability of Cote d'Ivoire to host the fair in 2010 as earlier planned.

As with previous fairs, the 2011 edition seeks to promote economic integration and trade among citizens in Member States, especially industrialists, investors, manufacturers, commercial operators and buyers. It will feature products and services originating in the region, including industrial products, animal husbandry and fishing, minerals, cottage industry, textiles and services in various sectors.

The trade fair will also afford participants the opportunity to take part in conferences, seminars and workshops on various themes related to the overall theme of the fair. In addition, participants would be able to exhibit their products and services and meet other professionals with the prospect of concluding business deals that would promote trade and help improve the living standards of Community citizens. On the sidelines of the fair, participants will be treated to an ECOWAS food exhibition featuring cuisines and drinks from the host country and participating Member States.

There will also be country "National Days," an enlightenment programme that would enable visitors appreciate other cultural products from the region for the promotion of tourism. Consistent with its theme, "Strengthening Intra-Community Trade through Public- Private Partnership," and in line with its tradition, the fair will be open to economic operators from across the globe intending to do business with, or invest in, West Africa.

Previously held every four years, the ECOWAS Trade Fair is now a biennial event. Senegal hosted the first edition in 1995, followed by Ghana in 1999, Togo in 2003, Nigeria in 2005 and Burkina Faso in 2008.

Senegal to return former Chad President Hissene Habre Former Chadian President Hissene Habre is to be sent home from Senegal to face accusations that he committed atrocities during his eightyear rule.

In 2008, Mr Habre was sentenced to death by a court in Chad for planning to overthrow the government.

South Sudan becomes an Independent Nation South Sudan has become the world's newest nation, the climax of a process made possible by the 2005 peace deal that ended a long and bloody civil war.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon were among international dignitaries who attended celebrations in the capital, Juba.

Sudan earlier became the first state to officially recognise its new neighbour.

The south's independence follows decades of conflict with the north in which some 1.5 million people died.

Celebrations in Juba began at midnight (2100 GMT). A countdown clock in the city centre reached zero and the new national anthem was played on television.

South Sudan became the 193rd country recognised by the UN and the 54th UN member state in Africa.

The BBC's Will Ross in Juba says the new country's problems have been put aside for the night amid an air of great jubilation.

People were in the streets, cheering, waving South Sudan flags, banging drums and chanting the name of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, he adds.

State Colin Powell, the US permanent representative to the UN, Susan Rice, and the head of the US military's Africa Command, Gen Carter Ham.

Mr Habre is blamed for killing and torturing tens of thousands of opponents between 1982 and 1990, charges he denies.

Senegal arrested Mr Habre in 2005, after he was charged by Belgium with crimes against humanity and torture.

Mr Habre - sometimes dubbed "Africa's Pinochet" - has been living in Dakar since he was ousted.

Belgium has also been asking the International The new country is rich in oil, but one of Court of Justice to have Mr Habre extradited to the least developed countries in the world, Belgium, where survivors have filed a case against where one in seven children dies before him. the age of five.

Dakar separately confirmed this, without providing a reason for its move.

President Bashir, who agreed the 2005 peace deal with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), stressed his country's "readiness to work with our southern brothers and help them set up their state so that, God willing, this state will be stable and develop".

"The co-operation between us will be excellent, particularly when it comes to marking and preserving the border so there is a movement of citizens and goods via this border," he told journalists in Khartoum.

Fears of fresh conflict resurfaced after recent fighting in two border areas, Abyei and South Kordofan, which forced some 170,000 people from their homes.

But separate deals - and the withdrawal of rival forces from the border - have calmed tensions.

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution approving a new 7,000-strong peacekeeping force for South Sudan - but this is basically a rebranding of the force which was already in Sudan, mostly in the south.

read out the Proclamation of the Our correspondent says keeping both the north Independence of South Sudan at 1145 (0845 GMT). Minutes later Sudan's nation- and the south stable long after the celebratory parties have ended will be a mighty challenge. al flag was lowered and the new flag of South Sudan was raised.

The two sides must still decide on issues such as drawing up the new border and how to In addition to Mr Bashir and Mr Ban, attendees included former US Secretary of divide Sudan's debts and oil wealth.

Senegal said Mr Habre would be flown to Chad on 11 July.

Source:www.bbcnews.com

Presidential Affairs, Bakri Hassan Saleh, announced that it recognised "the Republic of South Sudan as an independent state, according to the borders existing on 1 January 1956", when Sudan gained independence from Britain.

'Southern brothers'

Khartoum has said its mandate would not be A formal independence ceremony was held renewed, leading the US to argue that the 1,000 UN troops should be allowed to remain in later on Saturday July 9.

South Kordofan. The 1,000 troops in the disputed town of Abyei are to be replaced by The Speaker of the South Sudan 4,200 Ethiopian soldiers.

Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga,

He was sentenced in absentia along with several rebel leaders, who launched an assault on the Chadian capital, N'Djamena, earlier that year.

In a statement, the Chadian government said President Idriss Deby was informed about the decision to return Mr Habre by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.

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Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a referendum was held on independence, which was favoured by more than 99% of voters.

Analysts say the priority for Khartoum will be to negotiate a favourable deal on oil revenue, as most oilfields lie in the south. At present, the revenues are being shared equally.

Khartoum has some leverage, as most of the oil pipelines flow north to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Citizenship is also a key issue which has not yet been decided.

A new law passed by the National Assembly in Khartoum has withdrawn Sudanese citizenship Unresolved disputes between the north and from all southerners. south, particularly over the new border, have also raised the possibility of renewed The UN refugee agency (UNCHR), has urged both governments to prevent statelessness. conflict.

On Friday July 8, Sudan's Minister of

Source:www.bbcnews.com

African Embassies in the US African Embassies and Consulates from Algeria - Zimbabwe Algeria Embassy of the Peoples Republic of Algeria 2118 Kalorama Rd, NW Washington, D.C 20008 Tel: (202) 265-2800 Embassy of the Republic of Angola 2100-2108 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202-785-1156 Benin Embassy of the Republic of Benin 2737 Cathedral Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 232-6656 Embassy of Botswana 3400 International Drive, NW, Suite 7M, Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 244-4990 Embassy of Burkina Faso 2340 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 332-5577 Burundi Embassy of the Republic of Burundi 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 212, Washington DC 20007 Tel: (202) 342-2574 Cameroon Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon 2349 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 265-8790 Consulate General of Cape Verde 607 Boston St. 4th. Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Tel: (1617) 353-0014 Central African Republic (CAR) Embassy of the Central African Republic 1618 22nd Street, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 483-7800 Embassy of the Republic of Chad 32002 R Street, NW Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 462-4009 Congo Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo 1800 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 234-7690 Republic of Congo Embassy of the Republic of Congo 4891 Colorado Avenue, NW Washington DC 20011 Tel: (202) 726-5500 Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Embassy of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) 2424 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008

Tel: (202) 797-0300 Embassy of Djibouti 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 515 Washington DC 20005 Tel.: (202) 331-0270 Egypt Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt 3521 International Ct. NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 895 5400

Madagascar Embassy of Madagascar 2374 Massachusetts Avenue N.W. Washington, DC 20008 Phone: 202-265-5525

Equatorial Guinea Embassy of Equatorial Guinea 2020 16th Street NW Washington 20009 Tel: (202) 518 57 00

Malawi Embassy of Malawi 2408 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 797-1007 Fax: (202) 265-0976

Gabon Embassy of Gabon 2034 20th Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 797-1000 Gambia Embassy of the Gambia 1155 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington DC 20005 Tel: (202) 785-1399 Ghana Embassy of Ghana 3512 International Drive NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 686-4520 Guinea Embassy of the republic of Guinea 2112 Leroy Place, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 986-4300 Diplomatic Mission of of Guinea-Bissau 918 16th Street, NW (Mezzanine Suite) Washington DC 20006 Tel: (202)872 4222 Kenya Embassy of Kenya 2249 R. Street, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 387-6101 Lesotho Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho 2511 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 797-5533 Liberia Embassy of Liberia 5201 16th. Street, NW Washington DC, 20011 Tel: (202) 723-0437

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Libya Mission of Libya to the UN 309 East 48th Street New York, New York 10017 Tel: (212) 752-5775

Ethiopia Embassy of Ethiopia 3506 International Dr. NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202)364-1200

July

Tel: (202) 232-2882 Senegal Embassy of the Republic of Senegal 2112 Wyoming Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 234-0540 The Seychelles Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400 New York, NY 10017 Tel: (212) 687-9766 Sierra Leone Embassy of Sierra Leone 1701, 19th street, NW Washington, D.C - 20009 Phone : (202)-939-9261

Mali Embassy of the Republic of Mali 2130 R Street, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 332-2249

South Africa Embassy of the Republic of South Africa 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 232-4400

Mauritania Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania 2129 Leroy Place , NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: 202 232 5700

Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan 2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 338-8565

Mauritius Embassy of Mauritius 4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 441 Washington DC 20008 Telephone: (202) 244-1491 Morocco Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco 1601 21st Street, NW Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 462-7979 Mozambique Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique 1990 M Street, NW, Suite 570 Washington DC 20036 Tel: (202) 293-7146 Namibia Embassy of the Republic of Namibia 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 986-0540 Niger Embassy of the Republic of Niger 2204 R Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202.483-4224 Nigeria Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 986-8400 Rwanda Embassy of the Republic Rwanda 1714 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20009

Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland 1712 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington. D.C. 20009 Tel: (202) 234 5002 Tanzania Embassy United Republic of Tanzania 2139 R. Street, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 939-6125 Togo Embassy of the Republic of Togo 2208 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 234-4212 Tunisia Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia 515 Massachusetts Avenue Washington DC 20005 Tel:(202) 862 1850 Uganda Embassy Republic of Uganda 5911 16th Street N.W. Washington DC 20011 Tel: 202 726 0416 Zambia Embassy United Republic of Zambia 2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC 20008 Tel: (202) 265-9717 Zimbabwe Embassy of Zimbabwe 1608 New Hampshire Ave NW Washington DC 20009 Tel: (202) 332 7100

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Something You Should Know About African Immigrants in the US

by Nelima

some excerpts from a page on African immigrants to the US, which I found on Wikipedia a Over the weekend I was chatting with couple years back. Feel free to share, feel oblisome friends about the need for mentoring gated to share if you are a mentor. programs for young Africans. I was taken back to the time when I was part of a Africans have the highest educational attainforum on getting immigrant girls to think ment rates of any immigrant group in the about college. I was assigned to a group of United States with higher levels of completion about six African girls and we started to than the stereotyped Asian American model explore interests and career ideas. What minority. It is not only the first generation that struck me the most was that all, but one of does well, as estimates indicate that a highly these girls were not sure about going to disproportionate percentage of black students at college. “How will I make college when I elite universities are African or the children of don ’t know if I ’ll finish college? ” said African immigrants. one. This was such a different attitude from my high school days. Granted not In an analysis of Census Bureau data by the everyone was expecting to go to college, Journal of Blacks in higher education, African but I ’d never heard anyone say that they immigrants to the United States were found weren ’t sure they ’d make it through high more likely to be college educated than any school. And even most of those who didn ’t other immigrant group. African immigrants to make it to college were hindered mostly the U.S. are also more highly educated than any because of limited space and funds, but if other native-born ethnic group including white the opportunity was available they would Americans. Some 48.9 percent of all African go to college. immigrants hold a college diploma. This is slightly more than the percentage of Asian With that in mind, I would like to share immigrants to the U.S., nearly double the rate

of native-born white Americans, and nearly four times the rate of native-born African Americans.

In 1997, 19.4 percent of all adult African immigrants in the United States held a graduate degree, compared to 8.1 percent of adult whites and 3.8 percent of adult blacks in the United States, respectively. This information suggests that America has an equally large achievement gap between whites and African/Asian immigrants as it does between white and black Americans.

Of the African-born population in the United States age 25 and older, 86.4% reported having a high school degree or higher, compared with 78. 9% of Asian born immigrants and 76.5% of European born immigrants, respectively. These figures contrast with 61.8% percent of the total foreign-born population. .http://minneafrica.wordpress.com

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Vice President of Ghana Grants Audience to Prophet Kofi Adonteng Boateng The Vice President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, who was in Washington DC to meet with leaders at the World Bank, the IMF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation found time out of his busy schedule to grant audience to Prophet Kofi Adonteng Boateng , the Founder and leader of Divine Word Ministries International at the Embassy of Ghana .

opportunity to urge the Ghanaians to be God fearing, law abiding , and respectful of authority.

The Ambassador of Ghana to the USA, HE Daniel Ohene Agyekum, also on his part called on Christians to let their lifestyle demonstrate that they are truly children of God and should let humility be their guiding light.

"I have heard much about Prophet Kofi Adonteng Boateng's Divine Word Ministry International and how God is Prophet Kofi Adonteng Boateng's Divine Word Ministry in recent times using him to heal the sick and providing assistance to the less privileged . I has made a tremendous amount of would like to implore him not to let donations in support of charity projthe praises eat into his head but continects in Ghana. The ministry recently sent a 10-member delegation to Ghana ue to humble himself in order not to and donated items worth thousands of derail from his cause, " Mr. Ohene dollars to some orphanages in Kumasi Agyekum advised the man of God and his followers. and Accra. During the visit, the team paid a courtesy call on the ViceThe Founder and the General President of Ghana.

Overseer of Divine Word International Ministry, Prophet Kofi Adonteng It is therefore in light of this that the Boateng, on behalf of the Ministry, Vice-President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, granted audience to expressed his deepest appreciation to the Vice-President of Ghana for the Man of God and some leaders of the ministry to commend them for the squeezing some time to meet them out of his very tight schedule and stated gesture and their efforts to support that," It is my prayer that the Almighty such laudable projects in Ghana.

At the meeting the Vice President said, Lord will continue to grant you wisdom, courage, and Peace in the dis"It really impresses me when I hear charge of your duties as Vice President that Ghanaian groups from the Diaspora have expressed the desire to of the Republic of Ghana. " donate to the less privileged in Ghana . Divine Word Ministries International Prophet Adonteng Boateng emphahave proved that truly, they also have sized that his outfit will continue to spread the good news of God to the the welfare of such people at heart.”� world and will not rest on their efforts His Excellency John Mahama lauded to let the welfare of the less privileged the ministry for their kind gesture and people be part of their concern. " Divine Word International Ministry encouraged them to continue in their will do all that it can in our own small bid to support orphanages in Ghana and not make it a nine-day wonder. He way to bring Joy, Hope, and smiles to the faces of the orphans .It is part of went on to say that this is a clear our plans to adopt some brilliant but demonstration that there are genuine needy students to pay their school fees ministries and men of God out there who have the nation of Ghana at heart. to any level of their choice on the eduHis Excellency John Mahama took the cational ladder."

Joy FM reporter interviewing the Prophet

Mr. Osei Assibey, the Director of the Divine Care who led the delegation to Ghana ,explained that they went to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and paid the bills of some thirty-seven patients who were finding it difficult to foot their medical bills of 2,300 Ghana Cedis .Divine Care also did the same at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and bailed some patients out to the tune of 2,400 Ghana Cedis and bought drugs worth 4,000 Ghana Cedis for 15 people.

Prophet Adonteng shakes hands with the Vice President

"At Bodwoase in the Central Region , Divine Care presented five bags of Rice, five bags of Sugar, five bags of Gari, 40 boxes of Diapers and 10 boxes of other medical supplies to the workers to motivate them , " Mr. Osei Assibey noted.

The Director of the Divine Care further explained that they also paid the bills of about 12 patients who could not afford to pay for their X-rays, stating , "we did all this to bring smiles onto the faces of the less privileged people and also to fulfill the work of God. " Mrs. Dora Asante - President of the Women's wing of the Divine Word International Ministry, Ms. Aretha Antwi Adjei, Ms. Rama Akanni, Naana Amponsah, Mr. Thomas Owoo, Ms. Anna Pollard, Ms. Victoria Frempong, Mr. Samuel Osei, Mrs. Bertha Sarbah and Mr. Dennis Addo were there to grace the occasion.

Prophet Adonteng interacting with Ambassador Ohene Agyekum

Prince Osei Bonsu Washington DC

Prophet Adonteng taking questions from the media

Members of the DivineWord Ministries pose with the Vice President

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H E A LT H

NEWS

AIDS activist proves there's life after HIV From David McKenzie, CNN "While I was packing my stuff at the college she told me, 'Well, this is it, whether you die or live, you must make sure you compensate me back what it cost me to bring you to this college,' Wagura says.

"And this was about 20 minutes or so after the disclosure of my HIV status and I was wondering, 'is this coming from my mother?'"

Two weeks after a routine medical test, Kenyan nursing student Asunta Wagura was summoned into her principal's office. There, a crowd of tutors, student leaders and her mother was waiting for her.

One of her tutors broke the silence.

"I was told, 'Asunta, I'm sorry, you have AIDS,'" says Wagura, recalling the moment some two decades ago that changed her life forever.

"And she went ahead and told me, 'Now that you're dying we are not going to keep you in this institution ... go back and leave.'"

During that period, HIV/AIDS was regarded as a death sentence in Africa. Wagura was told she had only six months to live.

Coping with HIV and AIDS Building an organization

Rejected from her family, community and college, Wagura counted down the hours until her own death. She says she can't describe how lonely she was at the time.

"Mostly I felt I wish I could just get one person who would appreciate me, who would understand what I'm going through during this period until I die," she remembers.

Completely alone in the world, Wagura even attempted suicide several times as her family made preparations for her funeral. But when the clock wound down as the six months passed, she found herself alive and decided to live one day at a time.

"I think that was the turning point," she says.

"I said it doesn't matter what people say, what my family says, I'm in charge between now and the time I depart."

Abandoned by her family, Wagura decided to go public and share her story in a courageous act aiming to reverse the message that AIDS is a death sentence.

But more than 20 years later, Wagura has emerged as a symbol of hope for those infectDriven by the need to connect with people ed with the disease. who understood the challenges of living with the virus, in 1993 Wagura co-founded Kenya As Kenya's leading HIV and AIDS camNetwork of Women (KENWA), a support paigner, she battles tirelessly for both public group for women, and occasionally men, to recognition and private respect, giving thouget together and talk to help each other sands of women a voice in the fight against financially and emotionally. the stigma of HIV. The months that followed Wagura's diagnosis were filled with denial, shame and rejection from those closest to her, including her own mother.

"I'm in charge of my life and my destiny as long as I'm alive," says Wagura. "That is the message we've been driving in KENWA -we're in charge of our lives and we don't need to be reduced to dependants on hand-

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outs and reliefs. I can work for the sustainability of my life."

The Kenyan group has swelled in numbers over the years and has now grown into a formidable regional organization with plans to expand to Southern Sudan.

Its drop-in centers provide testing facilities, antiretroviral drugs and advice on preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Since AIDS was declared a national disaster in 1999, the situation has improved significantly in Kenya.

The painstaking work by Wagura and other activists, and later the Kenyan government, has led to a change in public attitudes toward HIV/AIDS in the east African country. The advent of antiretroviral medicines and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission has altered the nature of the disease.

Having made her whole life public from the beginning, Wagura has been challenging the very assumptions of how an HIVpositive woman can live her life.

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New Hope for Malaria Sarah Boseley A drug that is regularly given to people in Africa to prevent river blindness appears also to kill the mosquitoes that spread malaria, scientists have discovered.

The breakthrough, from teams in Senegal and Colorado State University in the US, provides another useful weapon in the armoury against a disease that kills around 800,000 a year, most of them small children and pregnant women.

"There is no silver bullet for malaria control," said Brian Foy, a vector biologist at Colorado State University and senior author of the study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, "but this could be an important tool that would also contribute to the fight against other neglected diseases. It's clearly a multi-purpose drug."

The drug is called ivermectin and has been around for more than 30 years - originally as a veterinary medicine against worms - which means it is off-patent and cheap. It is used in annual campaigns in Africa to fight the parasitic roundworm, which causes onchocerciasis, or river blindness, and also to treat children in the west with head lice.

Foy and his colleagues hit on the idea of studying the effect of ivermectin on malaria transmission. The researchers She has a weekly column in one of went to several Senegalese villages and collected mosquiKenya's most popular papers and stirred toes from houses before and after a mass dosing of the drug international debate when a few years for river blindness. They found there was a dramatic drop back she publicly declared her intention to of 79% in the proportion of mosquitoes carrying the have another child, despite knowing her Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite in the two weeks status. after ivermectin was given out. The drug in the bloodstream of people who were bitten killed the mosquitoes. By Wagura, whose first son was born in 1990 comparison, in villages that had not been treated, the numand has been tested negative, says: "The ber of malaria-carrying mosquitoes increased by 246%. reason I wanted to have another child is because there are so may don't's in people The effects of the drug on parasite transmission lasted for living with HIV/AIDS that (people think) more than two weeks, said Foy. The task now is to work don't even dare have a child ... you should out how often people would need to take ivermectin to tune yourself to dying." keep malaria at bay in their village. Like vaccination, everybody would need to be dosed for the benefit of all, After becoming informed on how to avoid because the mosquito has to bite for the drug to take effect and kill it. child transmission, Wagura gave birth to her second son a few years ago. She says A programme to give regular doses of ivermectin would that when her new-born child was tested also better control the intestinal helminths - worm-like parnegative she wanted the whole world to asites - that cause not only river blindness but also elephanknow. tiasis and other debilitating diseases. The study suggests that the drug might be most useful "for reducing malaria "People give a lot of credit to HIV but looking at my life and the virus that I live parasite transmission during epidemics or delineated malaria transmission seasons that occur throughout large regions in -- I mean I'm on the higher scoring of Africa and other continents". side," she says.

All attempts at malaria control using drugs have encoun"I've gotten almost what I thought I lost," tered the problem of resistance, but the team hopes there she adds. "I've worked around my career, may be less danger that a new breed of drug-resistant mosquito will start to breed, because, unlike insecticides, only I've worked around my family and I've those mosquitoes biting humans will be affected. worked out towards my happiness and

fulfillment of life and that is what I was robbed of by HIV."

Ivermectin was developed by the pharmaceutical company Merck from the fermentation products of bacteria discovered in soil next to a Japanese golf course in 1975. It was licensed as a veterinary drug in 1981. It works by paralysing insect and nematode muscles, which slows their ability to move and feed, causing them to weaken and die.

Merck has donated millions of doses since 1987 to treat river blindness, a disease affecting about 18 million people, which is spread by black flies that transmit worms that invade the skin and eyes.

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July 2011

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Mary T Inc. Delivers 22,000 Book For Africa Books to Primary and Secondary Students Throughout Cameroon

July 2011

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala quits World Bank to be Finance Minister note.

Okonjo-Iweala laid out her vision for the Nigerian economy during her screening by the Senate pledging she would create jobs and ensure the country "lives within its means" if approved as a cabinet minister.

The high cost of government has been a major concern for economists and investors. Recurrent expenditure accounts for well over half of spending despite poor public services.

Ministers sworn in Jonathan swore in 17 other ministers on including outgoing finance minister Olusegun Aganga, who is expected to be put in charge of a newly-expanded commerce and investment portfolio, presidency sources said.

World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala resigned her post in order to become Nigeria's new finance minister, spurring hopes of reform in sub-Saharan Africa's second biggest economy.

Okonjo-Iweala would also have been sworn in on Friday but returned to the United States in order to resign and would be confirmed once back in Nigeria, the presidency sources said.

Okonjo-Iweala will take up an expanded position as Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance in Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's new cabinet, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said in a statement.

Jonathan reappointed 12 outgoing ministers to their old jobs a week ago, including oil minister Deziani AlisonMadueke, a move his critics saw as an uninspiring start.

"Her desire to serve her country is truly a big loss for the World Bank but a major gain for Nigeria as it works to craft its economic way forward," he said.

Mary T Inc., a healthcare company based in Minnesota, funded the delivery of over 22,000 BFA books and 15 refurbished computers to students at 24 secondary schools and 22 primary schools throughout Cameroon. One recipient school was the Margaret Tjosvold Nursery Primary School in Santa, Bamenda, Cameroon, which opened in 2002.

A sea container with 585 boxes arrived at Douala seaport in January 2011.

Noah's Ark Cameroon and Heifer International Cameroon oversaw the book distribution. The students who received the books were told: "These books contain treasures that once you possess nobody can steal from you."

Dr. Valentine B. Lah of Noah's Ark Cameroon said: "This was a very rewarding exercise which has made many schools to experience support they never thought possible, and staffs of both Heifer International Cameroon and Noah's Ark Cameroon have enjoyed with much appreciation the participation in the program."

Source:www.booksforafrica.org

Aganga, a former Goldman Sachs executive, is expected to oversee the sovereign wealth fund created under his administration as part of his new post, the sources said.

The inclusion of Okonjo-Iweala in the cabinet could lend more weight to his reform ambitions, although sceptics question whether she will have the full political backing she needs.

Government sources told Reuters that Jonathan had asked Okonjo-Iweala, a respected former finance minister who helped negotiate debt rescheduling in 2005, to return to her old position with broad powers over economic manage"As a reformist, her reputation speaks for itself," said ment.

Razia Khan, head of Africa research at Standard Chartered.

Jonathan was sworn in for his first full term on May 29 following general elections and his ministerial choices are "Whether Ms. Okonjo-Iweala is given the necessary being closely watched by Nigerians and foreign investors political backing to enact key reforms ... will also be keen for a team capable of driving badly needed reforms. closely watched."

"We think President Goodluck Jonathan's selection of the World Bank MD will result in a vote of confidence for his administration, and suggests he is serious about initiating fiscal reforms," Renaissance Capital said in a research

Source :onlinenigeria.com

Former First Lady Rawlings Loses Out in Leadership Bid Supporters of President John Atta Mills, who won the last election as an opposition candidate, have crushed an unprecedented bid by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings the wife of former president Jerry Rawlings - to win the party's nomination as presidential candidate for the next election.

Nana Konadu had been widely tipped to win the contest and it came as a surprise that she was humiliated with a landslide victory by President J.E .A Mills.

President Mills won in all 10 regions with a total of 2771 votes; the former first lady received a measly 90 votes. Even her home region of Ashanti region offered her 9 votes.

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Mount Vernon High School Class of 2011 Graduation

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“Most of us would agree that the days we spent in high school were certainly the best days of our lives. It was in school that we made our first friends, competed to excel, hoped for places in the sports teams, and learned our first lessons about life. ” High school graduations are memorable events in peoples lives. About 50 African students graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School in Fairfax County in June 2011 and the editor was there to capture some happy moments with some students , friends and families.

Priscilla Arkorful and Jessica Ackam

Some of the students and their families share the joyful moments after the graduation ceremony

Boateng and family

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Nigeria Movie Star Gets Death Penalty

WOMAN TRIES TO SMUGGLE HUSBAND OUT OF JAIL IN SUIT CASE

that Ismail drugged Ibrahim with a sweet, before drowning him in a dam in Kano.

The BBC's Chris Ewokor in the capital, Abuja, says the Supreme Court's verdict is final.

Ismail's lawyers have exhausted all their options to acquit her, our reporter says. The High Court and the Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that she was guilty of murder and should be executed.

She was not in court when the ruling was made and is believed to be in a prison in northern Nigeria. Our reporter says lawyers he spoke to expect the ruling to be carried though, although the Nigerian authorities have never implemented the death sentence since democratic rule was restored in 1999.

CHETUMAL, Mexico -- A woman was arrested after an attempt to sneak her husband out of jail in a rolling suitcase.

Police say the woman is the prisoner's common law wife, and was at the prison for a conjugal visit.

Guards noticed something was wrong when she looked nervous, and her suitcase appeared to be "overstuffed." When gaurds checked the bag, they

AE

Kano has a popular film industry known as Nigeria's final court of appeal has ruled that actress Rabi Ismail should be hanged for killing Kannywood - the Hausa-language version of Nollywood in southern Nigeria. In 2007, the a male friend to acquire his property. state's Islamic authorities denounced the industry, saying it promoted immoral conduct.

The Supreme Court upheld rulings by two

found Juan Ramirez-Tijerina, curled up inside.

lower courts that Ismail drugged and drowned Auwalu Ibrahim in 2002 in the northern city of Islamic clerics also burned copies of a film which portrayed a man who beat his wife and Kano. used prostitutes before changing his ways.

Ramirez is serving a 20-year sentence for a 2007 conviction for illegal weapons posIsmail took part in films in the local Hausa lansession. Meantime, his wife, 19-year-old guage, and her case gripped Nigeria's entertain- Muslims form the majority in northern Nigeria.

Maria del Mar Arjona, was arrested and ment industry. may face prison time herself.

No-one has been executed in Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999. The court ruled

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Koby Maxwell Launches New Album

Actor, Movie producer, Guitarist and International artist Koby Maxwell is making a mark on the music industry. His critically acclaimed acting debut in the recently released Nollywood movie "paparazzi", speaks to the depth of his talents as an entertainer. This gifted bass player, singer, lyricist and composer brings a unique music mix blended with a taste of Europe, a twist of America and a squeeze of Africa thats all stirred up to create a colorful and powerful sound of Fusion.

The hit single "do it", which is also featured as the Papparrazzi movie soundtrack was released recently at the Bongamis Place in Hyattsville, Maryland . Hundred of fans turned out to support the famed artist .

Koby Maxwell's new album has 12 tracks on it featuring artists from the motherland and around the world . To listen to a sample go to www.kobymaxwell.com or download your copy on www.itunes.com/kobymaxwell.

Koby says " Thanks to God and many thanks to my fans". Koby can be found on social networking sites facebook.com/koby maxwell, twitter/koby maxwell/ youtube/kobymaxwell and myspace/koby maxwell.

For show's and bookings: e mail :info@kobymaxwell.net or koby@kobymaxwell.net Koby Maxwell has shared the stage with prestigious artists like Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan and Dionne Warwick. .His international credentials boast performances with Kojo Antwi, Hugh Masekela, Amayke Dede, Daddy Lumba, Ofori Amponsah and Toby Foyeh

Koby and Chima of Chima Movie Empire

Koby Maxwell and fans

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Her Page

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Search Yourself

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah

S

ometimes when things go awry in our lives and we experience hardships, we should not always accept them as just the ups and downs of life. When we do that, we might be unconsciously granting permission for an ill to permeate our lives, allowing it to secure a stronghold for months or years to come. Additionally, when we casually accept such things, we are in fact normalizing them as part of the expectations for our lives. On the contrary, the word of God intends for us that above all things, we should prosper and be in good health even as our souls do well (3 John 1:2).

With this godly wish for us, we should infer that when we face certain adversities, something must be amiss and as a result, we not only have to wonder but quietly ponder to determine what precipitated the hardship. At times, we are very clear about its roots, but when we are not, we have to look not only around us, but inward as well to investigate when and where we might have gone wrong and unknowingly or carelessly brought hardship unto ourselves. When we are able to take time out to question ourselves and reflect on the matter and seek God's face about it, we are likely to get to the truth of it and then be in the position to do something about it. But if we don't pause to reflect and honestly engage in some introspection and even pray about it, then we are in actuality accepting our condition, failing to see that we don't have to tolerate it when we can eradicate it.

Over and over again, the Bible presents us with instances from which to learn and apply to our lives. We have numerous examples of individuals causing themselves harm by their actions or attitudes. These actual stories are there to warn us of what could happen to us when we disobey God. The faults of these persons are by omission or commission, but they are faults nevertheless caused by them. There are however times that perhaps the fault might not rest with us. Sometimes the Lord Himself is testing us by using trials and tribulations to prove our faithfulness and to cause us to grow.

However, even with such instances, we will have to question ourselves and honestly determine if the trials and tribulations we are experiencing are a test from God and not trouble we have brought upon ourselves. We have to search ourselves.

In the book of Job, we have a great example of the righteous Job suffering, not because he had deliberately or unintentionally erred in his relationship with God, but that God uses the tribulation to test Job's faithfulness to Him. What is wonderful about the story of

Job is that God Himself testifies of and defends Job against an accusing devil that Job is a righteous man. And because Job is righteous and in good standing with God, God had built a protective hedge around him and his family that nothing may harm them. However, the devil challenges God that Job is only self-serving and is faithful to him simply because of the blessings and protection that God had provided. Furthermore, he challenges God that should He take away those things, Job would surely reject God, and curse Him. A confident God loosens his protection of Job and allows the enemy to do what he will, but despite the loss of all his property, his children and then even his health, Job remains faithful and God further honors him. The Bible tells us that the Lord rewarded him so much that Job was blessed even more in his latter days than he had been formerly.

The point here is that there are times when we will undergo tribulations, not because we have brought them upon ourselves, but that God wants to test us and move us to a higher level. Another point is that both God and Job knew Job had been perfect and upright and that he did nothing to warrant the tribulations. Because Job was confident in his relationship with God, in his frustration and anguish about his severe suffering, he could boldly question God as to why He had allowed such terrible things to happen to him. Can you boldly question God when you are facing tribulation? Can you confidently assert that you are righteous and have not committed a sin where God would be displeased and where the enemy, who is roaming about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, may have a charge against you that warrants his mayhem? Search yourself.

Unlike Job, we have a character such as Jonah who, deliberately disobeying God, found himself a prisoner in a whale. A prophet no less, Jonah committed the sin of omission by refusing an assignment from God to prophesy to the people of Nineveh, and boarded a ship in an attempt to run away from God. God responds to Jonah with a severe storm while on the ship and subsequently assigns a whale to swallow him after he had been tossed into the sea, leaving him in the whale for three days and three nights. Jonah had to be honest with himself and admit that his defiance to God's instructions led him to his predicament. He also realized that his only means of escaping the belly of the whale was acknowledging his sin and praying to God for forgiveness and deliverance. Jonah prays, " For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. So I said, I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward your holy temple ….I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving.

That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord" (Jonah 2: 3, 4 & 9). After remaining in the whale for three days and uttering his prayer, Jonah was delivered. The Bible states, "Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land" (Jonah 2:10).

Let's be real like Jonah and cut to the chase.

Jonah was not in denial of his sin. He did not have to wonder and ponder about the root of his calamity.

He was keenly aware that it was due to his disobedience. What about you? Are you aware of your relationship with God and your adherence to his commandments and instructions? Are you in tune with Him and them or have you erred like Jonah?

Sometimes our sin of omission comes from our

stubbornness and pride, very common sins. These two characteristics of our sinful nature cannot only hinder our blessings, but can also bring a truck load of problems in our lives. We can sit in church week after week and hear the word of God even on a daily basis, and yet because of our stubbornness and pride, we refuse to honor God's word. Then we go about our lives as if we are well with God. While we are in fact bringing all sorts of problems in our lives and yet remain in denial about their roots because we would prefer to hold on to our pride and will than to humble ourselves to God. Take a lesson from the page of Jonah and let go of your will and pride. Humbly go to God and see if he will not answer you as he did Jonah. Like Jonah, I have been there and done that and so trust me when I say, it is far liberating to humble yourself to God's will than to deal with that truck load of issues.

We have another example in Samson.

Samson, a child of promise of whom it was foretold would be a Nazirite, is a special man of God with great strength. His great strength as the Bible tells us lies in his long hair. Samson was to keep certain commandments, among them not allowing a razor to touch his hair and not involving himself with women of a different nation.

However, as most of us know the story, Samson takes up with Delilah and eventually, she is able to persuade and seduce him into telling her the secret to his strength. She betrays him to his enemies, the Philistines, and is captured. With his hair cut off, Samson loses his strength and his eyes are also gauged out (Judges 16). Like Jonah, Samson acknowledged that he had sinned and therefore opened the door of his life to be afflicted and tormented by his enemies. Thus, Samson prayed to God for redemption saying, "O Lord God please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes" (Judges 16:29). And because God is a merciful father who answers the prayers of his children when they are repentant, He hears Samson and grants him his request.

What I have learned from the word of God with such examples and from my own life experiences is that the Lord loves His children and is always ready to forgive them when they are repentant. What sin have you committed or are engaged in that is causing you judgment? Are you aware of it? Do you realize that perhaps you have erred in a way that you should not have?

Consider your current circumstance of perhaps job loss, sickness, marital woes, disobedient and wayward children, family troubles and so on.

Have you considered them all? Have you honestly searched yourself and found that like Job you are innocent and that God is only putting you through a test, from which He will undoubtedly reward you after your successful completion or have you discovered that you have indeed opened the door to your own difficulties and curses either from the hand of God as Jonah suffered or at the hand of the enemy as we witness with the Samson scenario?

Finally, let's us look at another example which did not end well as it resulted not only in the death of the culprit, but also that of his own child. The truth is that the sins we commit do not only affect us, but our children and loved ones as well, for the Bible tells us that our sins can affect our children and our children's children unto the

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third and to the fourth generation ( Exodus 34:7). So it is critical that we are careful with our attitudes and actions so that we do not invite damnation to ourselves and our family. The tragic story of King Saul, the first king of Israel is one that we should always keep in mind as a cautionary tale. King Saul, a man selected by God Himself and appointed King sinned against God by performing a burnt offering that the Prophet Samuel was to perform. What Saul did by offering the burnt offering was stepping beyond his authority and usurping the authority of the prophet. It was also contrary to God's will. Seeing the grievous sin that Saul had committed, Samuel said to him, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord the God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you" (I Samuel 13:13-14).

Yet again, Saul sins when after the Lord led him to conquer the Amalekites, he disobeys Him by sparing Agag their king, when God had stipulated that none should be spared. To make matters worse, Saul also spared some of their live stock.

Finally, Samuel admonishes Saul saying, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king ….The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor, who is better than you" (I Samuel 15:22,23,28).

From there on, Saul is grievously unhappy, chronically jealous of David, God's chosen king to replace him, and tormented by demonic spirits. Saul is unrepentant and becomes more evil. In the end, not only does he lose his life but his good son Jonathan also dies. Saul's sin shames his family and causes him and his heir to lose the throne.

The words of the great prophet Samuel speak volumes and are recorded to warn and caution us about how to relate to God and His will. It is not our sacrifices and our offerings that God prefers, but our obedience and humility. Our stubbornness and rebellion to His word are like witchcraft unto God and our sins like that of idol worshiping. I think if we would bear in our minds and hearts that ignoring and refusing to honor God's word is tantamount to witchcraft and wizardry, we would be more careful to order our steps and search ourselves to be in right standing with God.

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Presbyterian Church of Ghana North American District Concludes Annual Convention In New Jersey Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah (North American District Minister) Speaks About The Church & Just Ended Convention

By Frederick Nnoma-Addison AMIP News, Washington, DC Hilton Hotel, Parsippany, New Jersey July 1-3, 2011 The Presbyterian Church of Ghana North American District under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah has concluded its annual convention in New Jersey, USA. The convention attended by some 500 Presbyterians nationwide was under the theme "Empowered by the Holy Spirit" which is also the annual theme of the church. Representatives from over a dozen congregations attended from Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, New York and New Jersey and shared rich fellowship as fellow believers and Presbyterians. Throughout the three day period various church leaders admonished, edified and instructed attendees with biblical teachings and principles. Notable among the speakers was Opanin Kwadwo Kyere, a renowned Presbyterian evangelist and marriage counselor whose practical teachings challenged the faithful.

Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah

The Presbyterian Church Choir

In a post convention interview with the Minister In Charge of the North American District, Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah he spoke about the history, structure, vision, challenges and bright future of the church in North America.

"The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, North American District is here to stay. Over the next 5-10 years we expect to expand to several states within the United States and even Canada.

We are actively working to train and commission new leaders within the district to meet the growing need for qualified leaders. While we are one of the first Ghanaian churches to start in North America we lost momentum somewhere along the way but now we have recommitted ourselves to expanding within the district, in line with the Great CommissionMatthew 28. Any group of Ghanaian Presbyterians interested in starting a fellowship or church under the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, North American banner may contact the national authorities in the U.S. at Tel. 718 488 9553."

According to Rev. Dr. Gyang-Duah the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, North America started in the United States some 25-26 years ago when a group of Ghanaian migrants (Presbyterians) gathered to worship together, the way they used to do it back in Ghana. Word about this small gathering of Ghanaian Presbyterians quickly spread in the communities around the Bronx and Manhattan areas and soon it grew into a large church of Ghanaian Presbyterians now headed by Rev. Yaw Asiedu in Manhattan. www.pcg-manhattan.org. The church in Manhattan today houses the national headquarters.

After quarter of a century of active ministry work the church is thriving in at least 7 states in the U.S. The other ministers serving the Church alongside Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang DuahNew York (Bronx) are Rev. Kofi Kakari-Virginia and Maryland, Rev. Mrs. Ernestina Gakpo -Massachusetts (Worcester) and Rev. Yaw Asiedu - New York (Manhattan).

Despite the logistical and scheduling challenges associated with the planning of this year's convention Rev. Gyang-Duah and other leaders of the church agree that being able to assemble about 500 members in one place to eat, sleep, worship and fellowship together as they did at the Hilton Hotel, Parsippany, New Jersey is a significant achievement which will strengthen the faith of the people and the church. They all look forward to subsequent conventions in the coming years.

About The Presbyterian Church of Ghana The history of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana dates back some 175 years ago when Basel Mission embarked on mission trips to the then Gold Coast to lay the foundations of a great

church. After 175 years, the Church with a membership of about 527,000 is still marching on, full of hope and promise. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana, North American District is directly under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and is a partner, not a rival church of the Presbyterian Church, USA. The Right. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey is the current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

About Rev. Dr. Charles Gyang-Duah Rev. Charles Gyang-Duah assumed his current position in September

2008. Prior to this appointment he served as Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Chair of the BrongAhafo Presbytery and Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

He holds a PhD in Church History from Edinburgh University in Scotland. Rev. Gyang-Duah is married to Gladys his wife of 35 years and together they have 6 adult children.

July 2011

Star Studded “Wedding of the Century ” Shakes Columbus, Ohio

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History was made in Ohio as the community celebrated the wedding of the century which featured 8 celebrities from Ghana . The wedding lasted 3 days. Congratulations to Yaw Owusu Agyekum(Akili) and Delali . The wedding was held at the Jesus Power Assemblies of God

Yaw Owusu Agyekum(Akili) and Delali

The Couple and their 3 beautiful daughters

The Groomsmen

Ghallywood Stars- Yvonne Nelson, Kalsoume Sinare and Jackie Appiah

Mrs. Delali Owusu Agyekum

Invited guests at the Church

Yaw Owusu Agyekum(Akili) and Delali dancing and giving thanks to God on Sunday after the wedding

Kalsoume Sinare, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, Jackie Appiah

Kojo Antwi performing at the reception

The Couple pose with Jackie Appiah, Obour, Richard Atuahene (Rapid Solutions Inc.) and Prince David Osei

Agya Koo and Mercy Asiedu seated at the front row

Mr. & Mrs Agyekum popularly known worldwide as Akilli and Delali as they celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in Columbus Ohio. The wedding featured 8 movie stars from Ghana. It was co-hosted by Kwasi Kyei Darkwah aka KKD and Abraham Kwaku Lincoln aka Papa Linc, the multi-linguist from Bronx, NY. Also in attendance were; Mr. Richard Owusu Atuahene, Chief Executive Officer of Rapid Solutions Inc, Francis and Barbara of Franco Films/West African Movies and Mr. CNN, Chief Executive Officer of 3G Media Inc and Publisher of 3G Magazine. Among the musicians who performed were: Obour, Kofi Nti,Nana Kwame and Krontihene. The movie stars in attendance were Jackie Appiah, Mercy Asiedu , Yvonne Nelson, Kalsoum Sinare, Prince David Osei, .

Coverage was done by 3G Media and Ben Photos. All pictues by Mr CNN and Big Ben Photos

July

2011

Monaco's Prince Albert weds South African Olympic SwimmerCharlene Wittstock Prince Albert II of Monaco has married South African former swimmer Charlene Wittstock in a religious ceremony, after a civil wedding.

Some 3,500 guests, including royalty and celebrities, attended the event at the Place du Palais.

This was followed by a lavish dinner prepared by a celebrity chef.

Prince Albert II, 53, and Princess Charlene, 33, were married in a civil ceremony staged in the principality on Friday July 1.

Earlier in the week, the palace denied reports in the French press that Ms Wittstock was having second thoughts about the wedding.

Princess' tears On SaturdayJuly 2, Prince Albert II, and now Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene each said "Oui" (Yes) at the service led by the Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi.

The archbishop held the couple's hands together, before declaring: "What God has joined, men must not divide."

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene then exchanged rings in white gold and platinum.

After the ceremony, the couple walked to a chapel dedicated to Monaco's patron saint, St Devote, where Princess Charlene placed her bouquet - as the local tradition required.

The princess then burst into tears as a young choir sang.

The guest-list at the religious ceremony included the kings of Spain, Sweden, Lesotho and Belgium, the presidents of France, Iceland, Ireland, Lebanon, Malta, Germany and Hungary, France's richest man, celebrated opera singers, top models and racing car drivers.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and supermodel Naomi Campbell, also attended.

The UK was represented by Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. All the ingredients for the lavish celebratory meal, created by Alain Ducasse - himself a Monaco citizen - were said to have come from within a 10km (6-mile) radius of Monaco.

More than 1,000 journalists from around the world were accredited to cover the festivities in the principality, whose citizens number just 7,618.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene exchanging rings

Princess Charlene represented South Africa in the swimming competitions at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The tiny principality, which covers about 2 sq km (less than one square mile), is the world's smallest independent state after the Vatican City.

Prince Albert II has been the ruler of Monaco since the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, in 2005.

Friday's event was clouded by press reports suggesting that Ms Wittstock had come close to returning to South Africa, after learning secrets about Prince Albert's private life.

The royal family dismissed the claims, as well as suggestions she had only turned back after royal aides persuaded her to stay as "jealous rumours".

Source:BBCNEWS.COM

Some 3,500 guests, including royalty and celebrities, attended the event at the Place du Palais.

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BREAKING NEWS FOR THE MOVIE “I SURRENDER ALL ” The movie "I Surrender All" received 3 nominations in the categories of Best Actress for Feature film,Best Supporting Role Actor in Feature Film and Best Screenplay/Feature Film at the World music and Independent film festival to be held in Washington DC on August 20, 2011 at the Capital Hilton. . Screen Goddess Vida Darko, Kingsley Kelechi and Roy Madu are the nominees in the various categories.

For more information go to http://wmiff.com The movie is now available on www.boyceeondemand.com To watch the movie on Pay-Per-View follow these steps 1. Register for free 2. Find “I SURRENDER ALL movie and buy it.

3. Go to "My Videos" and find your movie to watch online, on your Ipad, or your iPhone, or your TV with a Roku Box. 4. This is a streaming rental, good for 48 hours. Watch a movie as often as you like during the rental period.

5. That ’s it! It ’s pay as you go or join the VIP club and enjoy content for one price. Watch now or whenever you like.

At last we have a solution to the major problem in the African Movie Industry.

DVD is the last resort after the producers have made their money. From a website, one can watch African Movies in High Definition on the computer, Iphone, IPAD and TV. The TV watching is through ROKU BOX which is available at BEST BUY for $80.00.

Subscribe and watch movies on line from the comfort of your home. This will nail the coffin of the business of copying and selling other people ’s work of art. This will give a boost to the Industry because, wherever this movie is watched from all corners of the world, the people watching it, paid for it and the money comes straight to the Producers/Investors ’ pocket. Very soon producers in USA who are committed to this Industry will be able to control the market, where they invest. The Directors, script-writers, editors, actors/actresses, designers, make-up artist, and every stakeholder in the Industry will be bouncing. There is no way a producer who has money to make a film will not want everyone to be happy, especially when he/she is assured of return in investments.

Africans in the Diaspora here we come.

It is our belief in Marinba Productions that as we project African Movie industry to the outside world, someday somebody will put up an African Movie Theater and sponsorship will kick off.

Until then, keep working hard.

Roy Madu -Producer, Singer and Actor

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SANKOFA RADIO Launch Live Mobile Phone Feed

By SANKOFA RADIO DUMFRIES, VA – Live audio of SANKOFA RADIO is now available to listeners via cell phone on the AudioNow service nationwide.

Sankofa Radio has teamed up with AudioNow for this innovative new service that lets listeners on any mobile phone access the station's global news and entertainment programming simply by calling from any mobile phone. Listeners can access Sankofa Radio global news and more by calling 712-4323264.

"We are excited to share this news with our listeners, who have been waiting for this new way of listening to Sankofa Radio ” said Emmanuel Osei Darko, Chief Executive of SANKOFA MEDIA GROUP operators of Sankofa Radio.

Sankofa Radio reaches the African community in the U.S. and the world, and is the home for breaking news, music and educative programs for the African community at home and abroad 24/7. They also serve

as an outlet for the exchange of cultural and intellectual ideas and quality music.

“With an unreplicated programming line-up featuring the best in Ghanaian and Afro music, news and entertainment, Sankofa Radio is excited to continue our distribution on the innovative AudioNow product, allowing us to reach the majority of the market that relies on standard mobile phones. ” You can now listen 24/7 to your favorite presenters and programmes on the GO such as Woti Bi Aky33 with DJ POPEI, Sankofa Happy Hour with DJ RAS, Around the Globe with DJ AGOBA, Life and Living it with Dutchess and Ladysledge.

For more information visit SANKOFA Radio's page at www.sankofaradio.com.

Sankofa Radio is an independent, internet based radio station delivering international news and music programming and providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally-minded audience.

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FULL FIGURED FASHION WEEK STORMS NEW YORK CITY On June 16th, 2011, New York City was blinded by the swarms of plus sized women dressed in all-white attire, awaiting the kick-off party to Full Figured Fashion Week. Full Figured Fashion Week (FFF week), an event produced by Gwen DeVoe of DeVoe Signature Events, is a fun-filled weekend which highlights and celebrates everything plus-size: people and fashion. Plus-size tends to be anything above a size 10. With the average woman in America wearing between a size 14 and 16, there is a huge demand for plus-size clothing. Designers are slowly taking notice of the demand for plussize attire and mainstream retailers are beginning to specialize in the plus-size field. Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, Avenue, Torrid, and Just My Size are some of the most recognized plus-size clothing retailers. However, other retailers are creating plus-size lines as well, including Kmart with their brand new “Love Your Style ” collection. Today, plus size clothing is fashionable and hip, and fits and accentuates a woman ’s curves in all the right places.

FFF week, presented by SONSI, and sponsored by Lane Bryant SONSI reps: Jill Hutchison and Emily Tharp and Kmart, from June 16th to June 18th, was packed with a variety of events which displayed the beauty and power of plus-size women. The White on White sunset cruise launched off the FFF event at the SkyPort arena on June 16th. The cruise, which set sail at 8:00 pm, was delightful and had hundreds of people on board, including modeling scouts, beauty pageant title holders, plus-size photographers, plus-size models, plus-size magazine editors, plussize bloggers, plus size people, and plus-size clothing designers — you name it- they were there!!! FFF week notables included Ms. Bella Styles (fashion editor & blogger: http://bellastyles.com), Madeline Jones (Editor of PLUS Model magazine), Fluvia (plus size model), Tony Armstrong (photographer), Sharon Quinn, Gwen DeVoe, Jill Hutchison and Emily Tharp (SONSI.com), Vanessa R. Loomie (Kmart/Sears plus size designer), and a handful of bloggers, including Glen Johnson (Full Figure Network Inc.), Kimberly Brinkman (www.fabfindsunder50.com),and Tina McNeely (tminustplus.blogspot.com). The boat ride was surreal and a wonderful time was had with great food and groovy music provided by DJ LaaChoc. The energy was euphoric. The SONSI photo booth inspired a carnival-style feel and the goody bags were surprisingly filled with a variety of useful items.

The boat ride was followed by several events throughout the Ms. Gwen DeVoe weekend, such as the Full Figured Fashion Crawl sponsored by The Curvy Fashionista, a panel discussion addressing the importance of the plus-size community, the Full Figured and Fabulous Runway Competition (sponsored by several entities, including Queen Grace and Ashley Stewart), the Fashion Blogger ’s Lunch (sponsored by Kmart LYS), and the Finale Runway Showcase and Awards Night Show at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. FFF week was spectacular because it was attended by people from all over the world, including England and France. While attending the runway competition at Studio 580, Louise Brown, the owner of the plus size lingerie company, Upscale Panties (www.upscale.se) was spotted. She had flown in from Sweden to attend the event!!! The Full Figured and Fabulous runway competition was exciting because it served as a platform for women to show and flaunt their curves in a positive manner. The runway competition included contestants who ranged in nationality and skin color-but the one thing that united them was their self-esteem and their love of their full figures. The crown was awarded to Niemah Haskin, and LiMarie Lewis and Karen Phoenix were awarded 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. After the conclusion of the runway competition, Ms. Gwen DeVoe stated that, “The purpose of the Full Figured and Fabulous runway model competition is to provide a professional platform for aspiring plus models to be seen by individuals that may never have seen them otherwise. The girls did a great job. It was obvious that a lot wanted to win really badly by their choices of their clothing, them practicing their runway walk, and just the effervescence of their personalities. Some of them really really wowed me, but I love all of them because it takes a lot of heart to do what they did tonight. ” FFF Week is so popular not only because it brings out the top plus-size designers and retailers, but because it is truly open to anyone and Ms. Gwen DeVoe makes everyone feel as if they were personally invited. When you attend FFF week, you feel like you are part of a family-the plus-size community. Full Figured Fashion Cathy Chu, contestant in Miss Full Figured and Fabulous comWeek was well organized and FUN!!! If you missed this year ’s petition event, make sure you mark your calendars for next year, because FFF week will continue getting bigger and better.

L to R: Marijo Monteiro (Miss Full Figured and Fabulous, 2010),Marina Zelner (founder, Queen Grace collection), Gwen DeVoe, & Niemah Haskin (Miss Full Figured and Fabulous, 2011)

Virginia Friends: Ms. Bella Styles (SKORCH magazine fashion editor and blogger) and Amy Ansong (IPM) enjoying the FFF Week cruise in New York City.

Ms. Shanda Freeman and Ms. Gwen DeVoe welcoming everyone to Full Figured Fashion Week.

Written B y: Amy Ansong

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The pursuit of happiness turns a Ghanaian into an American the thousands of Ghanaians and Africans who were announced winners of that lottery.

In the summer of 2009, Mr. Afortor arrived in the USA as a legal resident from Ghana to live the American dream with his adopted America family in East Islip in Long Island New York. It did not take too long for this immigrant to realize that life in America was all about work work work and he had to reinvent his vision for the future by going back to the drawing board to appreciate the fact that starting from the bottom, again, was necessary if one was to reach the top.

Virgil Aforto

By Oral Ofori Ghanaian born Virgil Afortor was one of the many Africans who filled out forms to participate in the US Diversity Visa lottery program in 2008 with high hopes of winning. For Virgil, it was not so much simply winning the lottery and gaining permanent legal residency in the USA that mattered, but also making sense of this opportunity so as to make it have a far reaching benefit not only for himself, but for the family that he has back home in Ghana.

Virgil had completed his high school education in the coastal city of Tema in 1997 at the Chemu High School where he majored in the Sciences. From Chemu he went further to pursue a degree pathway within IT; Information Technology, with the IPMC College of Technology affiliated with the mother institution in the United Kingdom, he graduated with an International Diploma in Computer Studies.

Armed with this sound educational background, the young Virgil felt ready to test the waters of the Ghanaian job markets, he was however disappointed to realize that there weren't that many institutions out there that were willing to hire young qualified professionals like himself. This was mainly because the state of the economy back then, and even now, does not leave enough room to absorb the increasing number of recent-graduates from tertiary institutions into its scant job markets.

Tooled with quality education in the Sciences and Information Technology (IT), Mr. Afortor branched away from his field of expertise like the many other immigrants he came to meet in the US and went ahead to take out his first job with the grocery department of Morton Williams Supermarkets in New York's 9th Avenue's 59th Street around Columbus Circle in Manhattan. He worked as the Produce Assistant Manager there for six months and decided it was time to move on not because he didn't like his job, no, but because the felt like there was much more opportunities out there that he needed so expose himself to.

As an immigrant with lots of expectations in the United States, joining the American Navy was a big decision which really paid off for Virgil. Today, he proudly talks of the many benefits he enjoys as a naval officer ranging from educational, health care, retirement benefits and of course, a guaranteed pay check! All these strongly motivated Virgil's decision to join the US Navy and for him, becoming an American and member of the military of one of the greatest nations on earth leaves him with the greater opportunity to be in service of his nation and defense of the American flag and the people who look up to it.

As a proud member of the military, this Ghanaian turned American is also greatly impressed by the fact that the military provides him with specialized training to help develop a career-path that will enable one succeed in their future endeavors and life's mission. Looking back on his choice to join the navy today, Virgil says with a smile that given the So yes, Virgil became one of the many young Ghanaians with all the opportunity, he'd do it all over again and not even think twice on it. scholarly experience and no job markets available for them to exploit. Since he wasn't financially capable to join the exodus of young professionals that were leaving the shores of the country in pursuit of greener pastures, he decided to stake his chances with the USA Diversity Visa lottery. This decision proved to be a good one as his application got accepted and through luck, he became one on

After arriving in the States as a Ghanaian, Virgil took a trip back home to Ghana as an American almost a year ago and both family and friends were greatly impressed by the efforts he's made to improve on the quality of his life. For Mr.

Afortor, this is the beauty of America; everyone is offered an opportunity to make the best of their life and provided they make the right steps, success will not be too far if you're working hard and staying focussed on the dream … the American Dream.

Reflecting on his naval journey, this Ghanaian, who graduated from the Recruit Training Command (RTC) Bootcamp barely a year ago in June 2010, attended the Naval Hospital Corps School in the Great Lakes, Illinois and graduated in October 2010. From there he received an Orders to work at the Naval Air Station (NAS) at Patuxent River in the State of Maryland. For Virgil, the hardest part of his bootcamp was the swimming training; where he had to swim a 50 meter backstroke and do the prone float. Even though he knew how to carry himself in the water from growing up in a coastal city in Ghana, he never envisioned himself mastering the skill of swimming the backstroke until after bootcamp.

The experience brought home the fact that you don't really need to be an expert swimmer to join the navy, you simply need to have a burning desire to become a naval officer and with that, the experts at the Recruit Training Command will surely get you to train and pass the swimming evolutions. To those of you who are thinking of a naval career but can't swim, here is your reference point to become what you really want to become if you really want to become it.

Like many recruits to the navy, Virgil also looks to advance in the ranks, he's of the believe that making ranks in the Navy depends on a lot of factors. In naval terms, these factors are called EVALs and it depends on your time of rate, Advancement Exams and PQS. Mr. Afortor will be an E-3 in September 2011 which makes him eligible to take the 3 Class Petty Officer Exams which he looks forward to pass. From there on the Sky will not even be a limit, his only limitation will be himself, thus if he thinks and speaks of impossibility, then the latter becomes a reality.

As the son of a retired banker with the Barclays Bank of Ghana with a trader for his mother, Virgil has 10 siblings 3 of which are half siblings. Military life is what you make it says Virgil, who wishes to pursue future studies in the medical field in addition to his IT professional background. The sky, once again, is not the limit! There's simply no limit for this young man. Who knows, in future he could become an Admiral of the United States Navy; all it takes is great work, quality education, honor, courage and commitment to one's core values, all of which abound in the US Navy.

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OVERCOMING ETHNIC DIVISIVENESS IN GHANAIAN PARTY POLITICS Selflessness is one of the most expensive commodities to purchase. One cannot blame recent generations because history has branded human beings along certain lines. Some prefer to call it denominations, other call it race. When they realized that they were all black and therefore could not call it race, they renamed it ethnicity. It only makes sense for the country to be divided along ethnic lines, after all, the political formation of the nation Ghana originated along those lines. Before Ghana attained independence in 1957, the then Gold Coast endured a series of politico-ethnic battles. From the 'Fante' Confederation to the National Liberation Movement, which was predominantly Ashantis, the Muslim Association Party, which was popularly Northerners to the Anlo Youth Organization which was mainly Ewes. Some scholars argue that such politico-ethnic organizations were necessary because they all underlined a common purpose-Ghana's Independence. Ethnicity is so inextricably intertwined with Ghana that it is an important course of study at the political science department in the University of Ghana, a course that was taught by one Prof. Kwesi Jonah during the 2007/2008 academic year. As inevitable as it may seem, to what extent is ethnicity affecting the current socio-political life of Ghanaians in this globalized world especially as Ghana is gradually emerging as a political and economic power in Africa?

Let's start by analyzing the two main political parties in Ghana. First, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which

was primarily formed on the Danquah-Busia tradition, a long and highly distinguished tradition that has over the years produced some of Ghana's most illustrious sons such as the late J. B. Danquah, the late Prof. Adu-Boahen, and second president of the fourth Republic of Ghana, Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour. The NPP has its support base in Ashanti and Eastern regions of Ghana, regions that are predominantly Asante, Kwahu and Akuapem people.

After two unsuccessful terms in 1992 and 1996, NPP finally gained the presidential seat in the 2000 elections under the leadership of Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour-an Asante man. After his official two terms, as the constitution demands, it was time for both a new party and national leader. Ethnicity played a very important role in the process of selecting a new party leader prior to the 2008 presidential elections.

The two who emerged as the leading contenders for the NPP flag bearership were Mr. John Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng and Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo. Born in 1955 to the late Dr. A. A. Y Kyeremanteng, Alan Kyeremanteng a.k.a Alan Cash, hails from Pattase in Kumasi. His mother was also from Ejisu in Kumasi. Although he attended high school and College in Cape Coast and Accra respectively, he is a typical Asante man. His counterpart Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo needs no introduction in Ghanaian politics. He hails from the Danquah-Busia tradition, and also from the Eastern Region which is dominated by the Kwahu people.

Both men are lawyers by profession.

The existing tension between these two aspiring flag-bearers was intensified when unconfirmed reports suggested that Nana Addo Danquah had promised Okyehene, King of the Akyem Traditional Area that he will make his throne bigger and better celebrated that Asantehene, King of the Asante Traditional Area, if he won the flag bearship and for that matter the presidency. Although his supporters claimed that he was only expressing his loyalty to his kingdom, this claim did not only prove dangerous but was also devastating to the party in general, since it did not go down well with the then leader and president of Ghana, Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour- an Asante man. It was therefore no surprising that he later publicly declared his support for his fellow Asante man, Alan Cash, much to the distaste of Nana Akuffo Addo. Although, Alan Cash narrowly conceded defeat during the presidential primaries, he clearly didn't offer his support during the presidential campaign process. Some analyst claim that, had Kuffour and for that matter Ashantis played a pivotal role during the 2008 Akuffo-Addo presidential campaign, NPP would have won the election.

Kuffours supporters claimed that his position as president restricted him from getting active-

ly involved forgetting that he had earlier public declared his support for Alan during the primaries. The common logical conclusion is that they didn't particularly like each other's ethnic background irrespective of the fact that they shared the same political party. In the long run ethnic division did nothing but bring defeat to the party as NPP ended up losing to the opposition. Ghanaians do not like to see their future entrusted to a divided party and they proved by voting the incumbent out of power in 2008.

Second is the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Barely three years after assuming the presidency, NDC seems to be threading the same path as its predecessor, allowing ethnic differences to play an essential role in the party's agenda. A brief history of the party shows that its founder, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings-first president of the Fourth Republic of Ghana-hails from the Volta region of Ghana, a region that is mainly Ewes. Over the years, NDC has managed to sell itself well to some of the northern ethnic groups as well as the south eastern ethnic groups Cont. on pg 33

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Afrikan Post

July 2 0 1 1 Page 30

3G MEDIA-THE NIGHT

Anchor of ESPN soccer net press pass-Tommy Smyth displaying his award

Mr. CNN , Rose Asiedua -(former Ghana National Athlete in 1973 who ran 100m, 200m and 4x100 relay) and John Mensah

Ghanaian Sprinters Alice Anum and Rose Asiedua. pose with former Boxing Champion -Azumah Nelson

Ibrahim Sunday receiving his award from Mrs. Ivy Rose Quashie (NCOGA General Secretary)

Asamoah Gyan, Kwasi Kyei Darkwa, John Paintsil.and John Mensah

Kwasi Appiah -Former Black Stars Captain and current Asst coach of the Senior Team receiving a 3G award

Emmanuel Tuffour(Koora),Asamoah Gyan, and John Paintsil

Former Super feather weight Champion -Azumah Nelson receiving his award from Ghana's Consul General in New York, Hon. Ernest Lomotey

Lynn Carter -First African American female Boxing Judgeon an international level

Afrikan Post

HT OF THE STARS AWARDS

July 2 0 1 1

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Third Annual “Night of the Stars ” Lights were burning brightly and the anticipation was at a peak on the night of June 18th 2011. On the corner of Second Avenue and 34th street, behind the walls of the Armenia Hall, Ghana ’s greatest athletes, the world ’s greatest soccer commentator, and other great men and women who have made a significant contribution to the sports world, all met at one place, under one roof, for the third annual “Night of the Stars ” Sports Awards Ceremony, presented by 3G Media and 3G magazine. The event, scheduled to start at 7pm, did not start on time, increasing the suspense in the air and causing people to wonder if members of Ghana ’s World Cup Team were really going to participate in the event.

While waiting for soccer players such as John Paintsil, Asamoah Gyan, and John Mensah to arrive, LouGit Media provided live video coverage of the event and covered all of the red carpet events, capturing interviews with some of the evening ’s remarkable awardees, including Joseph Wassa, Alberta Sackey, Tommy Smyth from ESPN, and some of the invited guests, such as Edward Armah (Ed Armah Bowties) and Ernest Lomotey (Consulate General of Ghana in New York).

Asamoah Gyan, John Paintsil, and John Mensah on ESPN With Tommy Smyth A little after midnight, Paintsil, Mensah, and Gyan finally arrived at the event and were ushered into the main hall in order to officially kick off the program. KKD, the Master of Ceremonies , immediately introduced the crowd to the award winners and smoothly transitioned into the distribution of the awards. Tommy Smyth, the one and only ESPN soccer commentator, was thrilled to be an award recipient, gave a rousing speech at 2 a.m, and amazed the crowd with his dancing skills. When the time came for Asamoah Gyan to accept his award, Asamoah Gyan personally apologized for missing the penalty kick against Uruguay on that dreadful July day, ending Ghana ’s World Cup run. Not only did Asamoah Gyan apologize for the missed kick during his acceptance speech, but he also offered to do anything he could to make up for it, based on the concensus of the audience. Needless to say, the awards ceremony was an entertaining and glamorous event ,honoring Ghanaian soccer athletes and other notable figures, such as Azumah Nelson, Lynn Carter, Emmanuel Yeboah, and others.

Written by: Amy Ansong Soocer legends Ibrahim Sunday, Kuuku Dadzie, Rev. Osei Kofi on ESPN sports program with Tommy Smith . They were interviewed on ESPN whilst in New York

Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Ghana's world-renowned advocate for the rights of disabled people. Disabled athlete and activist- He once rode 400 miles across Ghana to draw attention to the plight of the disabled .

Amy Ansong (left, Afrikan Post reporter) and Alberta Sackey-Former Captain of the Black Queens (National ladies soccer team)

Soccer legend Joe Wassa(left) and a friend- Joe Wassa played for Accra Hearts of Oak before settling in Nigeria where he played for Racca Rovers . He now lives in Yonkers-New York. He was the coach of Mexican American soccer league from 2002-2009

Afrikan

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UNDERSTANDING THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP

By Pastor George Annan body then becomes the TABERNACLE or TEMPLE (1 Corinthians 6:19) for God's Spirit to dwell in you. This qualifies you as a PRIEST (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:9-10 even though there are a few who have special calling to lead the church). The Christian therefore earns God mandate to offer unto Him this time spiritual SACRIFICES (1 Peter 2:5) based on the New Testament TRUTH (2 Peter 1:12 which is to worship according to the spirit of the Law John 4:24).

However when it comes to the Tabernacle of David Jesus Christ affirmed their wholesale transition into the New Testament Church. An example of His affirmation is seen when he rode on a donkey to Jerusalem. Multitudes swung palm branches singing and ascribing divine accolades to Jesus for the most redemptive works a person had ever done in the lives of sinful, undeserving men and society (i.e. expressing their faith and worship with meaningful symbolisms within the context of their culture). When cautioned by the religious leaders of the time to quieting the people, Jesus stated emphatically that God had ordained and instituted praise or the (Tabernacle of David including the Psalms) to transcend the Old Testament era.

One of the reasons Jesus had to reinterpret the Tabernacle of Moses is because they are essentials with regards to worship which is basically the offering of sacrifices. The Tabernacle of David only encourages the use of forms of expression because God created man and endowed us with expressive and creative abilities and more so we can worship God effectively with or without the forms of expressions.

Another reason is because in the Old Testament times the church in the wilderness (as it was called) was born before the Tabernacle of David was officially introduced and would have to follow the same pattern in the New Testament. On the Pentecost day when the New Testament church was born Jesus had ascended to heaven.

However the Holy Spirit gave the approval for the introduction of the Tabernacle of David with the Psalms into the church. Amos 9:11, Acts 15:16.

The Tabernacle of Moses is of utmost importance to Jesus because He is the fulfillment of all the Pillars of worship with the essence that in the New Testament the believer will relate to God with the heart since that is the only way to worship God in Spirit and in Truth John 4:23-24.

The style, sequence and the degree of priority with which Jesus Christ approached the two Tabernacles is a matter of importance. Heaven places more emphasis on worshipping God with the heart more than the instrumentation and or praise (Amos 5:21-23, Matthew 15:8) if the Christian wants to experience God's Glory.

To have a deeper understanding on how to employ the two Tabernacles in your life in a balanced manner to experience or God's glory get your copy of the book "Experience God's Glory: the ultimate blessing for the true worshipper" by Pastor George K Annan and be transformed into a true worshipper.

Pastor George is a lecturer, a conference speaker, a teacher and the author of 7 keys to fulfilling your dream.

During the Old Testament dispensation, the people of Israel had their worship rooted in two major Tabernacles these were the Tabernacle of Moses and the Tabernacle of David. The Tabernacle of Moses which contained about 613 Laws consisted of what I call' Pillars of Worship'. These were THE BLOOD OF THE PASSOVER LAMB (Exodus 12:43-45), THE TABERNACLE (Exodus 25:8-9), THE PREIESTHOOD (Exodus 19:6; 28:1-2), SACRIFICES (Exodus 30:1 which included the feast) and WORSHIP IN TRUTH (John 4:19-24). I have classified these as Pillars of worship because they are essentials with regards to worship and once God had established them no man can change it(1 Samuel 2:8).

The Tabernacle of David which God established through King David 400apx years after the establishment of the Tabernacle of Moses consisted of Expressive Mediums namely: The use of Musical Instruments and Body Expressions.

God took the people of Israel from Egypt which symbolizes the world, separation from God, being an outcast, having no hope and without God. The people from Egypt at the time had to accept and apply the blood of the Passover Lamb before they became the people of God. They were then qualified to build a Tabernacle for God to dwell among them.

God then saw them as His special possession and raised them as a kingdom of priest to offer sacrifices to him (even though there were a few who were elected by God to lead the rest in the offering of Sacrifices i.e. the Levites). As a people of God they earned God's mandate to appear before His presence and offer sacrifices according to Truth (which was to worship according to the letter of the Law i.e. using physical symbolisms to represent your faith e.g. sheep, turtle dove, wave offering etc.).

Something only the Jews had privilege to because they accepted these pillars of worship and followed them religiously.

The Tabernacle of David was introduced because God gives His people the freedom to express their faith within their cultural setting using the very items and mediums He had created e.g. hands, palm branches and musical instruments.

These two Tabernacles exist in the New Testament and the Christian will have to employ them in a balanced manner to appropriate God's glory into our lives. The difference is in the form the two Tabernacles exist in the New Testament which is primarily dependent on how Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. In fulfilling the Law Jesus Christ confronted and reinterpreted the five pillars of worship in the Tabernacle of Moses and claim to be the fulfillment of those Laws. In this New Testament era to become a child of God, a person will have to accept the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a perGet your copies from fect PASSOVER LAMB (1Corinthians 5:7) and www.redemptionnews.org or www.breakbelieve His blood can wash away your sins. Your

throughhour.com

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Gye Nyame - Without God We Cannot Make It at amazon.com or by calling 301 526 0008.

About Rev. Dr. Bonful Rev. Dr. John Alex Kobina Bonful is the Founder and Resident Minister of Calvary Redeeming Methodist Church in Rockville, Maryland. He previously served as Associate Pastor of the former United Church of Ghana in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area from 1989 to 1996 and was Chairman of the Methodist Church Ghana, North America Mission for 11 years, until October, 2010.

John Alex Kobina Bonful answered the call to the ministry in 1968 in Ghana after a miraculous healing and conversion experience during prayer in the early 60s. Before he was commissioned by the Methodist Conference in Accra in 1972 he completed his four-year ministerial training at the Trinity Theological Seminary in Legon, Accra. After serving in various capacities in the Methodist Church in Ghana Rev. Bonful received a scholarship in August 1988 to study at the Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. There he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees in Theology in 1990 and 1993 respectively.

After forty-two years of faithful service to the Methodist Church, both in Ghana and North America Rev. Dr. Bonful was retired at age 70 from active ministry by the Methodist Conference in August 2010. He and his wife Georgina both naturalized U.S. citizens have been married for 37 years. They are blessed with four adult children: James 42, Emma-36, Esther-34, Samuel (deceased) and seven grandchildren.

In his book "Gye Nyame" (except for God) Without God We Cannot Make It. Long serving Minister of the Methodist Church of Ghana, USA - Rev. Dr. Alex Kobina Bonful poses a series of thought provoking questions and addresses them in practical and relevant ways, especially for Africans.

He Asks - "Why is it so difficult for Africans to make progress in life? Why are we at the bottom of the ladder in development, politics, technology and economics? Why is it so hard for the nations of the continent to achieve political maturity? Why is Africa which is endowed with natural resources so poor? What is our problem? What do advanced nations have that Africa is missing?

The answers he provides in this scholarly book are steeped in a biblical world view but balanced with a deep knowledge of world history and stunning facts. The book is a must read for Africans seeking to make progress in their individual lives while they seek the betterment of their respective nations. Gye Nyame was Source : F. Nnoma-Addison published by Seed Word Communications, Amipnews.org Tallahassee Florida and is now available online

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GRACE FRONTIER

Rev. Kwabby Adom-Fosu Email address: adomso@aol.com

The Three Cs of Moses.

- the guy who resurrected. ‘ … whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it ’. - Matt.16:25 He looked to his left and to his right and then struck down the Egyptian. The next day he saw two Israelites fighting and had wanted to talk them out of it. The one at fault took offence with Moses' action and reprimanded him for killing the Egyptian the previous day, realizing that he had been found out Moses had to run for his dear life.

That was how Moses was called to be a Prophet, Deliverer and Law-Giver. The enemy foresaw that the deliverer of the Israelites was about to be born to fulfill the prophetic word: that the descendants of Abraham would be slaves in another country for 400 years, after that they would move out to the promise land.

As a result, he tried to kill him.

The edict was out; every male child of the Hebrews must be killed. But God took away his mother ’s fear of Pharaoh ’s authority. She defied it. Seeing that Moses was a proper child, she left him afloat in a water tight basket on river Nile, where the Egyptian royals used to hang out and had her daughter Miriam keep watch over him. Her enterprise thrived.

The daughter of Pharaoh came over to bathe in the river and heard the baby crying and had pity on him. Miriam who was lurking in the bush offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurture the baby for the princess. He obliged.

That was how Moses found himself in the palace of Pharaoh and raised a prince, though he was born a slave.

This was divine favor at its best, activated by a mother ’s daring and unyielding faith.

The fact that Moses was breastfed by his mother resulted in a bond that not even the luxury of the palace could break (Heb. 11:24).

This assertion is reinforced by The MerrillPalmer Quarterly. 2008-03-13: Breastfeeding is also strongly believed to foster the early post-partum maternal bond, via touch, response, and mutual gazing.

July 2011 to do something about the plight of the Hebrew slaves, he made a wrong move that sent him into exile. That day, lights in Goshen - the Hebrew Quarters in Cairo went out. All the Hebrew adults, who knew the events that led to Moses entry into the palace and had hoped that one day he would be their advocate, were crestfallen.

She answered that an Egyptian subdued the bullies and gave them quick access to the well. Her father asked where he was, go bring him home.

He did not have to go look for a hotel; his gifting made room for hustle-free accommodation.

Zipporah said Moses was an Egyptian because of the way he had dressed. Though Moses DNA was Hebrew. His royal clothing was princely and Little did they know that there is a huge gap ostentatious. Moses had earthly wisdom; that was between a call and commission; between rev- what he gained in the palace of Pharaoh but God elation and manifestation. Friends, in did not need that. Matter of fact God does not between is the period of preparation. What do work with finished products. That is why Jesus you do while you are waiting? You read went to the sea shore to recruit His associates inspirational books, you fast and pray, memo- instead of going to the Sanhedrin - the greatest rize the Scriptures and form alliances with council of the Jews - the better educated were like minded people who can help you get to there. He works better with fixed and refurbished your destination. products.

Though Moses call was glaringly evident he was not ready.

Consequently, God used another 40 years to take Egypt out of Moses. God stripped off his royal robes. He unlearned all that he had mastered in Egypt. For 40 umpteen years the crown prince of Egypt was nothing but a shepherd taking care of somebody ’s flock at the back side of the wilderness, getting a crash course on leadership; how to lead unruly and high minded slaves. He passed.

This day and age some people are trying to do away with preparation that precedes leadership. As a result, in our midst are no-congregation bishops, apostles who have not gone beyond their pulpits and doctors who have not written any dissertation nor have any significant life experience to show for At age of 80 God appeared to him in the burning such honor. We have resorted to arrogation of bush and commissioned him to go do what he titles without merit. had wanted to do 40 years earlier, this time in His power. However, Moses came up with excusWilliam Jefferson Clinton while in High es. When he told God he could not speak, it was School had a singular privilege of meeting nothing but fear that had taken the better part of President JF Kennedy in Washington, DC in him. The brashness of his youth was gone and 1963 and saw himself in the White House. was not ready for adventure. Family life had disAnd prepared for the challenge, in his book; sipated that; married, had kids and seemingly had My Life, he said ‘I will study and get ready Egypt and all that it stood for behind him. The may be my time will come ’. It did come, big guy was afraid to go back to Egypt. In Acts chaptime. In his home State of Arkansas, he ter 7, Stephen testified that ‘Moses learned in all served as Attorney General in 1976, for 10 the wisdom of Egypt, mighty in word and in years he occupied the Governor ’s Mansion. deed ’. If one was said to be ‘mighty in word ’ it And then spent another 8 years as the most means the individual had the ability to speak to powerful man on earth; by being the convince, the likes of Winston Churchill or President of the United States.

Barack Obama. Do not forget Moses was groomed to be the next Pharaoh.

What makes President Clinton's story fascinating is that his daddy died in a car accident Tradition has it that Moses was an engineer and a 3 months before he was born. His step dad, general in Pharaoh ’s army. He designed and built whose name Clinton he adopted, was a gam- the city of Ramses and embarked on a war expebler and an alcoholic and used to abuse his dition as a Army General and conquered the mum and half brother Roger Clinton. An Ethiopians. The guy was a type A personality, a alcoholic and a gambler is no good role wining quarter back that smelled success in all model for his kids. An average inner city guy that he touched. But at that point he was so brocould use that as a reason not to make any ken his confidence had left him. headway in life.

And God was ready to use him then. Why? God does not share his glory with any mortal. If Moses had been able to liberate his kinsfolk with his royal robes on, he would have claimed some of the glory. The brokenness made humble and a Like Chaucer ’s Knight, Moses was chivalric: candidate for promotion. the combination of qualities expected of an To be Continued ideal activist, courage, honor, justice, and a readiness to help the weak. What necessitated his exit from the palace was his willingness to the less fortunate.

Preparation is a necessary ingredient for inspired leadership.

When he got to Mesopotamia he did not abandon activism on the altar of self preservation. He went to the aid of Zipporah and her sisters who were being intimidated by other shepherds. Moses subdued the bullies and helped water their flock on time. Guess what? It enabled him get a place to sleep.

So at age 40 sensing the call of God on his life When Zipporah got home earlier than expected her father, Jethro wanted to know why.

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Cont from pg 28

OVERCOMING ETHNIC DIVISIVENESS IN GHANAIAN PARTY POLITICS mainly the Gas. The party faithfuls claim that they lost the 2000 elections because Ghanaians were just fed up with the 'name' J. J. Rawlings and everything that came along with it, and they proved that by voting them back into power just eight years after. Although such a claim is justified given the turnout of events in the 2008 presidential elections, it is worthy to note that the same party political actors, coupled with their ethnic dimensions still hangs in the balance. His Excellency Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills-Third President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana-who is still hoping for a second term originates from the central region of Ghana, a region that is popularly Fantes. His leading counterpart Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings prefers to identify with her husband's ethnic group regardless of the fact that she is Ashanti.

With less than 18 months to the presidential elections, the incumbent government has demonstrated similar signs as did the NPP prior to the 2008 elections. Various accusations have started blazing across from left to right, creating unnecessary tensions within the party. Another major turn is the presence of current Vice-president Mr. John Dramani Mahama who represents a strong force for the northern ethnic groups in the party. As a result of continuous disagreements between him and the party's founder, Mr. Mahama's role seems to be fueling these ethnic divisions to a higher scale. This has propelled Rawlings to inspire his wife to run for the flagbearership against Presidents Mills. This tactical political move is really not to go against Mills but against Mahama whom they fear might run for President after President Mills.

Mrs Rawlings is presumed to give Mr. Mahama a run for his money since she would have already been known by the Ghanaian public as having presidential intensions. Moreover, Rawlings' people in the Volta Region feel neglected by this current Mills administration, and are prepared to go the extra mile to push their candidate through the NDC primaries. A fierce internal politico-ethnic battle looms ahead in the NDC party, something that the beautiful people of Ghana do not appreciate.

Party divisions such as those that occurred with NPP in 2008 will cause this present government to lose the upcoming elections if they do not find a way to amicably bridge the gap between Mr. Mahama and Mr. Rawlings. Clearly, NPP presidential contenders have demonstrated their political expedience by re-electing Nana Addo Danquah as the party's flag bearer for the upcoming 2012 elections. Untill NDC proves the same outstanding selfless virtue, they will suffer the same fate.

God bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong! eyarfi@gmail.com

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Culture and Arts - Profiles

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Third Annual Baffour Charity Soccer Tournament in Woodbridge, Virginia

Baffour exchanging greetings with Jerry Wiafe of Virginia Black Stars

Baffour and friends

Apostle Arnolds was there to support

Pastor T, Mrs. Asante, Baffour and a friend

Friends of Baffour

Akwaaba Radio interviewing the referee

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Stockholm Villa FC Wins Third Annual Baffour Charity Soccer Tournament

KNUST Team in ecstatic mood before the Semi final clash with Stockholm Villa Baffour is a young gentleman of in his mid thrities who was involved in a car accident one fateful morning on January 31, 2006, while on his way from work.

He suffered severe injuries to his spinal cord, which has left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. Due to reasons beyond his control, he barely qualifies for any United States Government assistance, which all handicapped citizens are typically eligible. This unfortunate life-changing situation has impeded his ability to do any work as he used to do, which means he has no income coming in to him, no medical insurance coverage.

Life for him has been very difficult until now. Through the help of loved ones and events like this, a smile has been put back on his face and he is going through life a more cheerful person.

The tournament was a great success and was widely attended by various community clubs, organizations, churches and the African community members residing in the DC, Maryland and Virginia metropolitan area as well as out of state soccer teams. It also served as a great platform for the African communities in the area to socialize, bond and network. People were thrilled with the atmosphere, chatting with Baffour and his family. Behind the scenes was also quality sound, BBQ, dancing and cheering with “Jama ” by the supporters of the participating teams. This year ’s event will included festive activities for both adults and children, such as, table tennis, oware, draft/dame, chess etc.

BBQ, water, drinks and many other refreshments were available at the field Proceeds from this tournament would be donated to Baffour as always to enable him meet his medical and living expenses. The future goal is to raise enough money and resources to benefit not only Baffour but Africans in the Diaspora who find themselves in similar situations.

Stockholm Villa FC who emerged as champions from last year ’s tournament won again this year.

NGOZI Foundation in collaboration with Friends of Baffour, The DMV Chapter of KNUST Alumni and AKWAABA

Baffour, also known as John Oduro expressing his appreciation to the participating teams and all friends

Team managers of Stockholm Villa and Knust pose before the semi final clash of their respective teams

Stockholm Villa FC -Winners of the 2011 Tournament

.Friends of Baffour

RADIO have been main organizers and sponsors of this noble event. Other sponsors for this year ’s event include Autosol International, Ted Designs, Afrikan Posts Newspaper and Dale City United under the leadership of Mr. Stephen Afriyie.

Ngozi partners with other event management companies, promoters and sponsors to organize charity events to raise funds to pursue their cause.

To know more about Baffour, also known as John Oduro, please visit www.Friendsofbaffour.com. On FACEBOOK, please search for FRIENDS OF BAFFOUR. Baffour is an oldboy of Prempeh College in Kumasi

July 2 0 1 1

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Nollywood And Ghallywood Olu Jacobs wins lifetime Settle Rift achievement awards be taxed or chased around in various movie locations as a result of unpaid work permits.

Nigeriafilms.com was equally informed that Nollywood stakeholders had a meeting with Ghanaian foreign affairs, where it was candidly stated that Nollywood is exempted from work permit fees.

As revealed, all Nigerians who are doing business or own business outfits in Ghana are expected to get their work permit before engaging in such activities, while Nigerian actors,actresses,producers and directors who wish to work in Ghana are free, as nobody will impose any fees on them.

It could be recalled that Ghanaian government last year passed a bill that requires all Recall that the fight between Ghanaian movie industry, foreigners to purchase a work permit of christened Ghallywood and Nigerian movie industry $200 dollars to $1000 dollars, depending Nollywood made headlines last year. It was the battle of on the type of business venture. As the work permit fees, and the cost of it in these two counbills did not exclude any kind of business, tries.

Nigerian film makers who find delight in working task Ghana were asked to pay However, we gathered from reliable sources among their work permit of $200 dollars or no Nollywood stakeholders that all the rift created last year deal. between the two movie industries have been settled.

According to the information, top Nigerian movie producers like Madu C. Chikwendu, directors, Actors Guild of Nigeria,AGN President,Segun Arinze and top Ghanaian actors who have turned regular faces in Nigerian movies,Van Vicker and Majid Michel had a round table discussion in Nigeria and came to the conclusion that Ghanaian actors and actresses will not again

This actually created a tussle between the two movie industries, as AGN created task force to hunt and harass all Ghanaian actors and actresses who work in Nollywood,to pay different amounts of money in the name of working permit.

Source: Nigeriafilms.com

RMD TURNS 50!

Nigeria ’s hottest actor-now-turned-commissioner, Richard Mofe Damijo turns 50 .

RMD charmed Nigerians for over twenty years when he first started his career as an actor on TV. Roles like ‘Segun Kadiri ’ in Checkmate etc come mind. A consumate actor, his acting career has spanned the stage, tv and film, having acted in the Guiness-sponsored film ‘Critical Assignment ’. After an almost five year hiatus, he recently bounced back by acting in the popular MNET soap, ‘Tinsel ’.

Watch out for him there! Meanwhile Happy Birthday, Bros! Wishing you another 50 golden years! Congrats as well on being sworn in as Commissioner in Delta State for another term!

Source:nigerian-movies.net

Accomplished Nigerian actor and Nollywood star Olu Jacobs was given a standing ovation at the closing ceremony of the 15th Écrans Noirs Film Festival, Saturday night of June 25, 2011 in Yaoundé, Cameroun. He was greeted with applause by the ecstatic audience as he mounted the stage to receive the Prix Charles Mensah (Ecran d ’Honneur) for his outstanding life achievement as an actor of local and international success, especially for the great impact of Nollywood in Africa.

Olu Jacobs thanking the the administrator, officials and the audience at the 15th Écrans Noirs.

“African cinema and its actors ” the theme of 15th edition of the Écrans noirs was a noble tribute to those who work in the continent to advance the seventh art according to the administrator Bassek Ba

Kobhio. It attracted thousands of people from June 18-25, 2011.

Present at the closing ceremony were Nigerian filmmaker Chike Ibekwe who was a co-winner of the best film prize at the 14th Écrans Noirs and one of the appointed presidents of the jury in 2011 and Mr. Madu Chikwendu, Regional Secretary of the Pan-African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI), co-founder and member of the Board of Trustees of Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP), and the sole Nigerian representative in the International Federation of Film Producers (FIAPF). .onlinenigeria.com

OmonI Oboli plays lead role in Ukrainian movie Nollywood star actress,Omoni Oboli is said to be in ukraine shooting a new movie . She is playing the lead role which interprets as a nigerian girl sent to ukraine to study medicine but on the contrary has passion for music. she later got attacked by a mafia group but was rescued by a guy she fell in love with .

Omoni oboli who became a household name after playing a prominent role in Kunle Afolayan ’s produced movie Figurine is reported to be the first Nigerian actor/actress to act in a movie in Ukraine . www.nigerianmovies.net source: celebregion

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African Post

July 2011

3 Nigerians KIA adjudged Best beheaded in Saudi African Airport Arabia for murder Omar Mohammed Adamon Sunday beheaded three Nigerians accused of murdering and robbing a fellow citizen, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency.

Mohammed Ismail, Abdulqudus Adam and Mohammed Kabir Ali broke into the house of Omar Mohammed Adam where “they beat him and his wife, tied them down and strangled Omar to death, ” said the statement.

Then they burgled their compatriot ’s home, it added.

The beheadings in the western Red Sea city of Jeddah brings the number of executions in the ultraconservative kingdom this year to 31, according to an AFP tally based on official and human rights group reports.

On June 10, London-based watchdog Amnesty International called on Saudi Arabia to stop applying the death penalty, saying there had been a significant rise in the number of executions in the previous six weeks.

It said 15 people were executed in May alone.

In 2009, the number of executions reached 67, compared to 102 in 2008.

Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under Saudi Arabia ’s strict interpretation of Islamic shari ’ah law. onlinenigeria.com

July 11, GNA - The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has won the 2011 Best African Airport of the Year Award at the Routes Africa 2011 Conference in Bamako, Mali.

The coveted award was presented to the Managing Director of KIA, Mrs Doreen Owusu-Fianko in Bamako on July 5, when KIA emerged the winner following a competitive screening process by a panel of global airport experts.

The final shortlist included, alongside the winning airport, Entebbe Airport in Uganda, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, and Sikuphe International Airport in Swaziland. A citation preceding the presentation of the award commended the KIA for distinguishing itself in service delivery, development of new routes and attracting four major airlines from the United States and Europe to Ghana in 2011 alone.

A press release issued by the GACL in Accra on Monday said Routes in the citation also described 93the astute leadership exhibited by the management of GACL , the KIA's adherence to global best practices in safety and security as well as continuous improvements in handling facilities and development of its human capital as 91unmatched by any other airport in Africa'".

Mrs Owusu-Fianko, receiving the award, said it was The KIA's vision to be the hub and gateway for the West Africa sub-region in spite of being a small airport, adding that the airport had always prided itself in being customer friendly and was happy to have welcomed three different US Presidents to the airport. She said in line with the agenda of 93making Ghana the gateway to Africa", management of GACL had plans to attract more global airlines to Ghana.

"We want to develop as a hub and our geographical location means we are positioned to be able to offer links to every continent in the world."

Mrs Owusu-Fianko noted that the company was working to establish links with South Africa and the Caribbean in the next two years since they were the only missing network links. She revealed that they would soon have regular links to Barcelona with Spanair and Doha with Qatar Airways after TAP Portugal's recent inauguration of flights to Lisbon.

She also paid glowing tribute to the Board, Management and Staff of GACL, saying their teamwork and combined tireless efforts in delivering excellence had earned them the global recognition. "We feel so proud to win this prestigious award," Mrs OwusuFianko= stated.

KIA would now go forward with other winners from the regional Routes events to compete for the overall Airport Marketing Award title which would be announced at the World Routes event in Berlin, Germany, in October.

The awards are the highest industry honours of excellence conferred on airports that have distinguished themselves in infrastructure development, adoption of modern airport technology, adherence to safety and security standards, new routes and human capital development as well as good service delivery. The KIA works on the core principles that the people who are best placed to judge an airport's marketing activities are its primary users: the airlines.

The primary criteria after nomination include submission of details about their route development activities and results, which would then be considered and scored based on certain parameters, including innovative ways of marketing to airlines, evidence of relationship with airlines, effectiveness and creative application.

Source: GNA

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Akwaaba Radio Old School Reunion In The USA Akwaaba Radio believes education is the key to the development of Ghana; however, the tradition of forming strong and viable Old Students Associations which is one of the major sources of finance and support most schools and colleges in the USA , in not very strong in most schools in Ghana. Though Old Students Associations are very important to the Ghanaian community living outside Ghana since these associations transcend beyond ethnic, political and religious differences, organizing members has been a great challenge for schools.

volley ball, 100 m dash, ampe, ludo, tug of war, school anthem competitions and many more.

• Raising funds for their schools through donations and the sale of school paraphernalia such as stickers, shirts, caps, scarves, key holders, etc.

• Donate proceeds realized from the event to their respective Alma Mata.

The Old School Associations will be responsible for the following: • Setting up a stand at the events grounds • Registration of members during the event and membership follow up.

• Organize members to participate in event programs such as five-a-side soccer, pool,

Respectfully, Akwaaba Radio info@AkwaabaRadio.com www.AkwaabaRadio.com

Some of the associations that are currently registered for this year ’s event include of past students from Achimota Secondary (AKORA), Mfantsipim (MOBA), PRESEC (Odadie), Prempeh College (AMANFOC), Adisadel College Akwaaba Radio as part of its corporate (Santa clausians), St Augustines College social responsibilities and desire to help (APSU), Accra Academy, Opoku Ware the educational system in Ghana, decided Secondary School (AKATAKYIE), to organize the first ever Old School Wesley Girls High School(Gey Hey), Reunion in the United States of America Mfantsiman Girls Secondary School for Ghanaians in the United States and (MOGA), Aburi Girls Secondary School Canada as well as vacationers from the (ABUGISS), Aggrey Memorial Ghana who may be in the USA at that Secondary (AMOSA), Pope Johns time. The goal of the event is to bring Secondary School (POJOBA), Ghana together past students of all Ghanaian National College (NANAMOM), St schools, colleges and Universities who Peters Secondary School (PERSCOBA), currently reside in the United States, Kumasi High School (MMRANTEE), Canada and United Kingdom for a day of fun and in line with the Ghanaian tradition St. Roses, St. Mary ’s, St. Luis, Yaa Asantewaa (YAGISS), Holy Child of supporting our Alma Mata, raise funds to support the respective schools in Ghana. (HOPSA), Ghana Secondary School (GHANASS), St. Monica ’s, Wesley Grammer (Wes Gee), Apam Secondary This maiden event is currently scheduled School, Okuapeman, Fijai, Ghana for August 6th, 2011 at Fort Hunt Park in Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Alexandria, Virginia, for the picnic style The University of Ghana and KNUST event during the day and Hampton Alumni.

Conference Center for Old School music and dance event in the night. The events are being organized by Akwaaba Radio in We will be very grateful if you can be a part of this event, click on the following collaboration with Old Students Associations of Ghanaian schools and col- link to register (http://www.akwaabaraleges. This year ’s event is under the theme dio.com/reunion.htm). If you have any “Reuniting Old Friends in the Diaspora for questions or comments regarding this event, please contact us. development of Schools in Ghana ”.

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July 2011

Highest Earning African Player Named

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Afrikan Post 6236 Oscar Court Woodbridge VA 22193

Tel : (703)725-6968 Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has been named on top of the earning list of Africa ’s foreign legion in a Forbesarticle.

Earning an estimated $13.3million annually, Toure is ahead of other great African players such as Samuel Eto ’o, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien. The Ivorian is joined on the list by his brother Kolo, who also plays for City.

Out of the eight players listed, only two do not play in England. Malian Frederic Kanoute plays his football in Spain while Cameroonian Eto ’o plays at Inter.

It is also interesting to note that three of the six Premier League players are signed to big spending Manchester City while the other three are with Chelsea.

Another interesting fact is that four of the players are winners of the African player of the year award while the others have at one time or the other been nominated

for the title.

Nigeria ’s John Mikel Obi has never been nominated, but won the young player award in 2005.

Rank Player Amount Earned (USD) 1. Yaya Toure $13,300,000 2. Samuel Eto'o $12,000,000 3. Emmanuel Adebayor $12,000,000 4. Kolo Toure $10,300,000 5. Frederic Kanoute $8,600,000 6. Didier Drogba $8,000,000 7. John Obi Mikel $5,800,000 8. Michael Essien $5,500,000

Published By B r i ght H ouse P roductions Managi ng Edi tor G e orge Bri ght -Abu Ema il:e ditor@ afri kanpost . com

Am y AnsongH a rdc opy/pri nt copy edi t or

Source: goal.com

Virginia Black Star to Join America Soccer league in Arlington.

Open Recruitment 20-40 Years Interested Players should call Jerry Wiafe 703-786-7070 Osei Tawiah 703-229-2429 Sylvester Agyeman 571-423-9723 Dennis Duku 571-405-8098 Sulley Yusif 571-201-7406 Kofi Sakyi 571-431-9388 Kwame Ahenkorah (Phobia) 571-436-7929

E-mail: editor@afrikanpost.com

Paapa Ameyaw 571-315-4848 Caesar 571-278-9775

Fr a n cis B oanoh Gr aphic s and Onl i ne News Edi tor w w w.afri kanpost. com e mail:boanoh@ gmai l . com C har le s N tiamoah Ni mo-Mensah (Mr. CNN) C o-Publ i sher

Correspondents Ohio Cincinnati - Frank Adjei-Mensah Columbus- Big Ben Photos Georgia - Frank Amponsah Maryland - Fred Nnoma Addison California - Isaac Amo- Kyeremeh Florida - Samuel Kissiedu

Alhaji Danso 240-461-1241 Kofi Oppong (Capito) 703-459-3937 RolandBoateng 571-332-8966 Kwame Asomaning 571-234-2025

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www.ghanaianpost.com www.ashantipost.com Cont r i but ing Columnists Miria m Gyi mah, PHD Sa muel Ki sseadu Fre d N noma-Addi son (A m ipnews. org) Re v. K w aby Adom-Fosu O ral Ofori

Patience Home Car e

CHILD CARE

Enrolling for CPR/AED , First Aid and HHA/PCA Certification programs

CHILD CARE IN GAINESVILLE AND HAYMARKET AREAS IN VIRGINIA

Classes starts in July 15,16,17 and 18th

PCA is Medicaid approved program

For More Information call 540-222-8764

AGES ARE FROM 12 MONTHS TO 6YRS ENROLLMENT IN PROGRESS. Call 540-222-8764 for More Info

USED TIRES

$28 Specials : 2 Free Car wash with one Detailing

Including Balancing and Installation

CALL 703-330-3990 (OFFICE) 703-270-8171 (CELL) 8395 Euclid Ave Manassas, VA UNIT- F 20111-5215