Afrikan post july 2013 online version

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Vol 5 Issue 7

African Community News

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Obama Initiative Aims to 'Light Up' Africa

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

We ar e co mmittted to b r in gin g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ia s por a. Yo u may a ls o vis it o u r webs ite a t www.a f r ik a n pos t.com f or d a ily n ews u p da tes o n Af r ica .

D is cla imer : Th e o p in io n s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews p ap er a r e th os e o f th e a u th o r s an d d o n ot n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Po s t . All commen ts a n d s u g g es tio n s ar e welcome.

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D E PA R T M E N T S Vol. 5 Issue 7

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

3 Ghanaians Excel In Silicon Valley Pg. 15

Ranking of African Countries By Literacy Rate Pg. 7

The United States Congress Celebrates Nelson Mandela’s 95th Birthday Pg. 33

HER PAGE

The Pruning Pg. 20

SPORTS Nigerian Clubs Suspended After 'scandalous' Scorelines Pg. 39

UPDATE Hollywood Actor to Star as Mandela in New Biopic Pg. 35

During his visit to three African countries, President Barack Obama announced an initiative aiming to double access to electricity across in Sub Saharan Africa. A U.S.$7 billion commitment to 'Power Africa' from the U.S. government over the next five years is to be supplemented by more than U.S.$9 billion in leveraged private investments to support projects in an initial set of partner countries, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia,

Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.

Legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress supports the same electrification goal.

Tanzania:

Top Entreprenuer Invests U.S.$300 Million

Dar es Salaam — Tony O. Elumelu, the Chairman Heirs Holdings, who control the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp), is looking to invest in new power projects.

The group recently invested $300 million in Nigeria's largest power plant, located in Ughelli, Delta State during the Nigerian government's recent power privatization process.

"We are taking over an old government-run plant that desperately needs rehabilitation and doubling its output within our first two years of operations. By 2017, we will be generating 1000MW of electricity and Nigerians across the country will feel the impact

of affordable and consistent power," homework, or that computers and phones can be powered in he said recently. rural villages; it is also the impact that access to affordElumelu accompanied President able power will have on the Obama last week and is considered economic ecosystem.

Prices one of Africa's most influential peowill come down, entrepreneurs ple in business. will expand and innovate, and jobs will be created as a result.

Commenting on the motivation This is Africapitalism at behind the power investment, he work," he said. said, "Unlimited access to affordable power in any country is a game changer and will move the needle on the country's development exponentially," he said.

Elumelu added, "It's not just the fact that children will be able to do their

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President Obama Announces Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

Afrikan Post

tices, and build their technical skills. Washington Fellows will also benefit from partnerships with American companies like Boeing, which will provide leadership training at the Boeing Leadership Center in St. Louis to extend Fellows’ campus-based training. The Fellows will also have the chance to interact with President Obama during an annual Summit in Washington, D.C., along with other senior U.S. government, business, and civic leaders.

July 2013

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MD – Governor’s African Affairs Commission to Host Community Summit – August 3rd

Investing in Opportunities on the Continent

Official White House Photo

Today in front of an audience of more than 600 dynamic young leaders from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, President Obama announced the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the new flagship program of the President’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Beginning in 2014, the program will bring more than 500 young African leaders to the United States each year for leadership training and mentoring. It will also create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to use their new skills to propel economic growth and prosperity, and strengthen democratic institutions.

The U.S.-based training Washington Fellows will receive is only the beginning of the long term investment the United States will make in these young leaders. To ensure that participants can put their newly-acquired skills and experiences to use, the U.S. Government is working with businesses, governments, and institutions to create meaningful opportunities to allow them to put their skills to practice in Africa.

The Washington Fellowship will offer participants valuable access to internships and job opportunities in the private and public sectors. We are establishing partnerships with companies, government ministries, research institutions, regional organizations, and non-profit and community-based organizations across the region to provide meaningful career opportunities for these young leaders. For example, Microsoft will connect Washington Fellows with internships in their offices across Africa, including in The Washington Fellowship will: Cairo, Tunis, Casablanca, Abidjan, Dakar, Accra, Lagos, Abuja, Luanda, Johannesburg, and Nairobi. Ethiopian · Invest in a new generation of young African leaders who are Airlines will offer participants the opportunity to train at shaping the continent’s future. their business management and corporate governance plat· Respond to the strong demand by young African leaders for prac- forms at its hubs around the world. tical skills that can help them take their work to the next level in the fields of public service and business.

Washington Fellows will have access to dedicated funding · Deepen partnerships and connections between the United States opportunities to support their ideas, businesses, and organand Africa. izations. More than $5 million in small grants will be · Build a prestigious network of young African leaders who are at awarded in the first three years by the U.S. African the forefront of change and innovation in their respective sectors.

Development Foundation to Washington Fellows seeking to start their own businesses or social enterprises. The U.S. Washington Fellows will primarily be between 25 and 35 years old, Department of State will invest an additional $5 million have a proven track record of leadership in a public, private, or over the course of the program to help alumni establish or civic organization, and demonstrate a strong commitment to congrow non-governmental organizations, undertake a project tributing their skills and talents to building and serving their comto improve their community, or work collaboratively to munities. build the network of young African leaders, including reaching into underserved areas. USAID will establish Welcoming Promising Leaders to the United States regional hubs and coordinators to connect Washington Beginning in 2014, each year the United States will bring 500 of Fellows to these opportunities and leverage over $200 milAfrica’s most promising young leaders to U.S. universities for train- lion in ongoing youth programs and initiatives on the coning in public management and administration; business and entretinent. preneurship; and civic leadership. Training in each of these sectors will focus on the skills young African leaders need to run better Sustaining a Strong Alumni Network ministries, start and grow businesses, and serve their communities.

Washington Fellows will be a part of a vibrant network Within the next five years, the initiative aims to grow to 1000 that will continue to connect them to new opportunities in young leaders each year.

Africa and to each other. Regular local and regional events and networking opportunities will sustain strong ties over Washington Fellows will spend six weeks at top American universi- the years as program participants assume leadership posities and colleges that will provide tailored training in the sectors tions in their respective sectors. Participants will be above, leveraging top faculty, cutting-edge curricula, and local required to mentor other promising young leaders, enhancopportunities to impart practical professional and leadership training the impact and sustainability of the initiative, and ing. Formal university training will be augmented by workshops, growing the network to encompass other leaders, especialmentoring, and networking opportunities with leaders in each field, ly in disadvantaged communities. as well as internships across the United States. ### For example, U.S. agencies such as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank will host Washington Source:amipnewsonline.org Fellows as interns to expose them to the U.S. workplace and prac-

Baltimore, Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives July 15, 2013

Governor Martin O’Malley’s Commission on African Affairs will host a Community Summit on Saturday August 3rd at the Montgomery County Eastern Regional Services Center in Silver Spring. The summit will address a wide range of subjects affecting African immigrants in the state including immigration, education, and health care.

The summit is appropriately timed since it follows President Obama’s recent successful trip to Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa (June 27 -July 2), during which he announced Power Africa, a $7billion power initiative for Africa, and the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders which will bring more than 500 young African leaders to the United States each year for leadership training and mentoring.

In 2011, the Governor’s Commission hosted the inaugural African Summit attended by representatives of President Obama’s administration, embassy officials and high ranking Maryland officials. The August 3rd summit is open to the public, community members, churches, leaders and organizations with interest in the African Diaspora community.

On May 14, 2009 Governor O’Malley signed an executive order to establish the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs to effectively address the concerns of the African community.

“Diversity is one of Maryland’s greatest strengths. For this reason I believe it is important to recognize the African community which plays a vital role in moving the State forward. By identifying and addressing issues in the African Diaspora, I am confident that this Commission will help strengthen and grow our One Maryland.”

Gov. Martin O’Malley

Source:amipnewsonline.org

Former Miss. Ghana USA Hosts A Birthday Celebration Dedicated To The Children At Compassion Is Love In Action Orphanage

Life Entales team & Alice- Miss. Africa USA's 1st Princess

Gentleman of the Night

When we learn to appreciate what we have, we grow to become compassionate towards those who are less fortunate than us. On Friday July 12, 2013, former Miss. Ghana USA for the Miss.

Africa USA pageant and model Senya Donkor hosted a birthday celebration dedicated to the children at Compassion is Love in Action orphanage in Sunyani Ghana. As founder of the Bright Foundation Inc., Senya incorporated the organization’s missions alongside the Compassion in Action celebration. As an organization, the Bright Foundation “Illuminates Visions” and promotes the empowerment of girls back home in Ghana, through health seminars and the renovation of school clinics.

The Compassion in Action celebration consisted of a fundraising event in which the funds raised will be used towards the purchase of backpack kits for the children at Compassion in Action orphanage.

The event would not have been possible if it were not for the following sponsors: REKONE Services, LifeEntales, Ngozi organization, and the AfriKan Post. Last but not least, a special thank you to all of the guests who donated generously to the cause.

For more information, The Bright Foundation Inc. can be found on Facebook at The Bright Foundation Inc.; on Twitter @Bright_info; and on Instagram @BF_Inc.

Newest African Ambassadors Present Letters of Credence At White House July 2013

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AMIP News Washington DC

On Thursday, July 18, 2013, 3 new African Ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence to President Obama at the White House.

The Ambassadors are:

* Her Excellency Oliver Wonekha, Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda * Her Excellency Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda * Her Excellency Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania

The presentation of credentials is a traditional ceremony that marks the formal beginning of an Ambassador’s service in Washington.

Source:amipnewsonline.com

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July 2013

Representative Karen Bass Calls On Americans To Change Africa Tunnel Vision

Ranking of African Countries By Literacy Rate

Below is the ranking of African countries by the literacy rate. This entry includes a definition of Africa’s economic momentum to foreign literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total competitors such as Brazil, Russia, India population, males, and females. There are no and China, known as the BRIC nations. universal definitions and standards of literacy.

While we as a nation continue to tinker Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition – the ability to read and with our Africa policies, China’s trade with the continent continues to expand. write at a specified age (15 and above). Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess Last year alone, China’s trade with the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of Africa totaled some $200 billion; we article. this lagged behind at $95 billion.

July 8, 2013 Washington, DC

Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif., is ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

In a recent Capitol Hill policy discussion on U.S.Africa trade, an African ambassador passionately proclaimed that the best thing the United States can do for Africa is to remove the negative stereotype that if one nation has a problem then the continent as a whole is damned.

The point is hard to argue with when all we hear about is Africa’s epidemic diseases, famines and despotic leaders. Too often, Africa’s trade and investment potential for American business is overshadowed by a false notion that the continent is a tinderbox, ready to ignite at any moment.

President Barack Obama’s recent visit to South Africa, Senegal and Tanzania underscores that the time has finally come to dramatically reframe how we think about and how we engage with Africa’s 54 nations. We as Americans must lose our tunnel vision and learn to see Africa as a continent of immense opportunity.

The data speaks for itself.

For more than a decade now, the world’s fastestgrowing economies have been in Africa. Countries including Nigeria, Angola, Ethiopia and Mozambique have annual gross domestic product growth of 8 percent to 11 percent. With more than a billion people living on the continent and rapidly expanding middle-class and youth populations, opportunities abound to leverage new consumers and engage new leaders to connect with each other and global markets.

In 2012 alone, we saw the transition of power in several African nations to illustrate that peaceful changes in leadership are the norm rather than the exception. In Ethiopia, Malawi and Ghana, three African leaders died in office, and their successors transitioned in without military intervention or major protest.

Frankly, the United States can’t afford to cede

These numbers are particularly troubling when we consider the reservoir of good will the United States enjoys on the con1. tinent, spanning both Democratic and 2.

Republican administrations.

One of President Bill Clinton’s signature accomplishments was signing into law the African Growth and Opportunities Act, which eliminates trade tariffs for African goods exported to the United States. And no one can forget the success of President George W. Bush’s efforts to address the HIV and AIDS crisis through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

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Obama has similarly contributed to these legacies with efforts such as the Global Health Initiative, Feed the Future and the Young African Leaders Initiative.

Despite being bogged down with a global recession and wars winding down in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama has focused his policy on some of Africa’s most enduring and persistent challenges that have kept Africa from reaching its full potential.

Country

Country Literacy Rate

Zimbabwe 90.70 Equatorial Guinea 87.00 South Africa 86.40 Kenya 85.10 Namibia 85.00 Sao Tome and Principe 84.90 Lesotho 84.80 Mauritius 84.40 Congo, Republic of the 83.80 Libya 82.60 Swaziland 81.60 Botswana 81.20 Zambia 80.60 Cape Verde 76.60 Tunisia 74.30 Egypt 71.40 Rwanda 70.40 Algeria 69.90 Tanzania 69.40 Madagascar 68.90 Nigeria 68.00 Cameroon 67.90

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Djibouti 67.90 24.

Angola 67.40 25. Congo, Democratic Republic of the 67.20

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Uganda 66.80 Gabon 63.20 Malawi 62.70 Sudan 61.10 Togo 60.90 Burundi 59.30 Eritrea 58.60 Ghana 57.90 Liberia 57.50 Comoros 56.50 Morocco 52.30 Mauritania 51.20 Cote d’Ivoire 48.70 Central African Republic 48.60 Mozambique 47.80 Mali 46.40 Ethiopia 42.70 Guinea-Bissau 42.40 Gambia, 40.10 Senegal 39.30 Somalia 37.80 Sierra Leone 35.10 Benin 34.70 Guinea 29.50 Niger 28.70 Chad 25.70 Burkina Faso

Internet Users in Africa List of African Countries by Internet Users

Africa Rank World Rank South Africa 1 36 During Obama’s first term, he also Egypt 2 40 Morocco 3 62 launched the Doing Business in Africa 4 63 program to promote U.S. trade with the Nigeria Tunisia 5 67 continent and announced the first-ever Algeria 6 73 trade mission to Zambia, doubling bilatZimbabwe 7 75 eral trade between the two nations.

Kenya 8 82 Sudan 9 84 The affinity Africans have for the United Tanzania 10 87 States, which was significantly strength- Senegal 11 89 ened by Obama’s 2008 election, must be Togo 12 92 leveraged to ensure America holds its Ghana 13 97 seat at the table and doesn’t lose ground Libya 14 100 to economic competitors.

Mauritius 15 106 Uganda 16 111 Cote D'Ivoire 17 121 Somalia 18 123 Madagascar 19 129 Benin 20 130 Zambia 21 131 Source:www.amipnewsonline.com Namibia 22 132 Botswana 23 133 Cameroon 24 134 Congo, DR 25 138 Mozambique 26 139 Burkina Faso 27 142 Angola 28 143 Guinea 29 144

Amount 3,100,000 2,700,000 800,000 750,000 630,000 500,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 250,000 225,000 210,000 170,000 160,000 150,000 125,000 90,000 89,000 70,500 70,000 68,200 65,000 60,000 60,000 50,000 50,000 48,000 41,000 40,000

Country Africa Rank World Rk Amount Malawi 30 146 36,000 Gabon 31 149 35,000 Swaziland 32 156 27,000 Mali 33 158 25,000 Rwanda 34 159 25,000 Gambia 35 161 25,000 Lesotho 36 164 21,000 Cape Verde 37 165 20,400 Guinea-Bissau38 170 19,000 Chad 39 173 15,000 Congo, Rep 40 174 15,000

July 2013

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Thoronka Law Firm Holds Immigration Seminar in Virginia

ized an immigration seminar at a location in Springfield, Virginia to educate the community on issues relating to immigrants right, the immigration reform, and the DREAM act . The seminar also offered the opportunity for participants to answer questions on any areas of immigration.

The forum was in essence a free consultation for people in the community.

According to Ishmael Thoronka “legal representation is essential for every individual. Our goal is to provide the best legal representation available at a reasonable and fair cost to our clients. We are proud of the high legal and ethical standards that have been established by our firm and the tradition of excellence which we work to maintain.

Our attorneys donate a significant amount of time to public issues, civic leadership and representation of the poor. We work hard to improve the quality of life for our clients, our community and our families. �

This event is one of several seminars the firm has organized for the immigrant community in the past two years.

Ishmael Thoronka (4th from left) with office Staff and Guest Attorney (5th from left) pose after the seminar

Thoronka Law Offices focuses on complex immigration, criminal law and litigation. They represent clients in major immigration matters regionally, nationally, and internationally. The needs of their clients are a primary concern.

The Virginia office of the law firm in collaboration with other immigration attorneys organ-

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July 2013

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Rosa Whitaker On China's Evolving Role In African Development July 2013

Beyond natural resources and infrastructure, are there other big sectors where China is getting more active these days?

Well, China is getting much more active in the consumer market.

They’re producing cell phones, mini-cars, and apparel. So they’re producing a large number of widgets and consumer products.

We’re seeing that develop in Africa by Chinese companies.

What about regionally or on a country-by-country basis? Are there areas in Africa where the Chinese are more active than others? Or are there countries that are hot spots to invest?

“Feeding the Dragon: China in Africa” (episode of “Great Decisions in Foreign Policy“), Produced by the Foreign Policy Association.

Transcript of interview with Rosa Whitaker

What’s changed over the last decade that’s really breathed new life into the economic relationship between China and Africa?

Yeah, we will see most of the Chinese companies are active in the African countries that have natural resources. Whether it is oil, gas, copper, iron, ore, or minerals – now rare earth minerals – that’s where you will find the majority of Chinese companies. But they are expanding, preparing for this burgeoning middle class that’s emerging in Africa with a lot of consumer money and resources. I think that China is now expanding its trade, expanding its investment portfolio and focus.

A lot of people have been critical of China’s role in Africa and the impact it’s having on some of the citizens in some of these countries. What do you see as the short-term and long-term impact of Chinese investment on some of the African countries themselves?

Well, I think that it could be a good thing and a bad thing. I think in some ways the Chinese investments – if we look at some of the investments China has made in infrastructure – that is a good Well, there are two major invents. There was the Beijingthing, because some of the infrastructure projects, quite frankly, in China Fund that was created as part of the summit that Africa are not “bankable” in a conventional Western sense. So China had with Africa in 2006. And also prior to that; the China has come in to build this infrastructure with support from 2000Chinastrategy encouraging state-owned enterprises to their governments – companies have built this infrastructure – go out and invest, and they incentivized these companies. As without a lot of regard to profitability. Now American investors a result of these two historic developments, which represent- can utilize those same roads to get their products out in Africa, and ed a major economic shift in the world, China has invested the same infrastructure to also do well in Africa. I think that is more than ten billion dollars in soft loans to Africa. That where China needs to play a better role, in it’s sometimes disregard doesn’t even include the Chinese export-import bank guarto the government issues and the transparency issues; the issues antees and other kinds of support that China gave to Africa. around democracy or issues around human rights. If you look at We’ve seen also, as a result, a significant increase in the contrast, America has really made political concerns the center Chinese trade with Africa. China has actually replaced the of its focus in Africa, and China has made its economic interests U.S. as Africa’s largest trading partner. In 1999, for examthe focus of its policy in Africa. And I think it would be good for ple, China’s trade with Africa was about twenty billion dol- the U.S. and China to both move to the middle a bit, and to have a lars; it’s now about a 170 billion dollars. That’s a major, more broad-based approach. I’d like to just follow up on that and major development. maybe move a little bit more on to U.S. economic interests in Africa. We’re in a period here, in summer 2012, where theU.S.is Why does China view Africa as such an important place to really revisiting its Africa policy across the board; whether it’s the spend its economic power and might? promotion of democracy, whether it’s going to renew AGOA or some of these high-impact economic programs that have been I think that China is definitely looking at their industrial largely successful in recent years. development needs. Africa has strategic minerals, resources, and raw materials that China absolutely needs; whether Is the U.S. on the right track to compete with China? What could you’re talking about copper, iron, ore, or oil resources. And we be doing better?

China has gotten access – many would argue preferential access – just by the sheer amount of investments they’ve put I think we’ve done well with the African Growth and Opportunity into the region. I think that’s one of China’s main goals for Act, which has resulted in a significant increase in African exports being there. But also, I think that China also kind of recogto the United States. That was a good policy initiative. Since that nizes Africa’s importance politically. Africa dominates proAct, I think we’ve done, quite frankly, very little. What we really portionally the number of seats in the United Nations and need to do, which would help American and Africa, is to incenthe World Trade Organization; so when you look at a global tivize U.S. companies to do more. Now, Durban and Congressman political agenda, Africa is strategically very important. Also, Smith, they have legislation that would help do some of that. They I think that China is rightfully seeing Africa’s vast consumer call for a 200% increase, in fact, of American exports to Africa. market. They’re selling a lot of products in Africa. In 2020, They are, in that legislation, asking for more support for the U.S. you’ll have about a billion African consumers spending EXIM (Export-Import bank of the United States) bank and the about 1.4 trillion dollars, and this is something we should be U.S. OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). taking note of in America that China has captured. China is We need to strengthen these institutions that help American comalso providing the Chinese companies a lot of projects that panies do business in Africa. We also need to strengthen AGOA are very much needed in Africa; infrastructure projects, for (African Growth and Opportunity Act) and recognize that we got example. Now, that serves to help everyone, including the trade effect of AGOA, but it did not spur U.S. investments in American investors that want to do business in Africa.

Africa. I think we ought to, as a part of AGOA or another measure, look at tax incentives for U.S. companies. I think if we were to say

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that U.S. companies could invest in sectors in Africa with a significant development dividend, those companies would be able to repatriate their profits to the U.S., tax free. That would help a lot. If we were to have a tax incentive for U.S. companies, say for example, retailers, that source products with significant African content, that they would get some kind of development credit, a development tax credit. I think if we were willing to open up our tax code, and I know politically this may not be the season to talk about this, but I think it would be very beneficial for U.S. companies. I think that we would see a significant development dividend in terms of mutual beneficial investments in Africa. After all, we really must engage Africa in a very robust way. Six out of ten of the fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa. If we see the global economic growth in the world, it’s coming from emerging economies like Africa. I mentioned earlier about that 1.4 trillion dollars in consumer spending that’s coming out of Africa in about 2020.Chinais seeing this, and I think we may be missing it by not having enough incentives. There are areas where, when I look at what Africa needs – even in terms of technology, influence, health care systems, consumer products – these are areas where America leads the world, and we certainly could be doing better. It is not a good thing, in my view, that China has replaced America as Africa’s largest trading partner.

How will the global economic situation impact Chinese and U.S economic interests in Africa?

We probably will see the Chinese slowing down of state-owned enterprise investments in Africa. It just has to slow down at some point. But what will replace those investments, I think, are private Chinese companies; Chinese families now residing in Africa and bringing family investments in. I think that as the labor costs in China rise, some of those industries, such as the garment industries and manufacturing sectors; we will likely see some of those industries migrate to Africa, which would be a good thing in terms of job creation. But also as the euro crisis; as China contracts economically and as domestic demand contracts, it will be very difficult for Africa to expand its exports.

Africa will really have to be much more competitive in the products it produces and more competitive globally in the world economy in order to sustain any kind of growth in the region.

And as we see the U.S. economy contract, it will be very challenging for Africa as well.

You touched on the subsidies and encouragement of the private sector, but what advantages does China have over other more democratic economies in terms of facilitating more economic investment in Africa?

Well, I think that the Chinese certainly have the advantage of being the companies heavily subsidized by their governments. I think on the U.S.side, we can counter that, not with the level of subsidization, but some incentives that we can put in terms of a policy framework. I think the Chinese just have the ability to move very fast. They move very quickly, they understand the African markets, they don’t need to be convinced, and they’ve been encouraged by their governments to go out. We’re in a period where we are not encouraging our companies to go out and we are not incentivizing our companies in America. So I think there has to be a lot of broad awareness around the benefits of investing and enhancing our economic relationship with Africa.

Source:www.http://thewhitakergroup.us

July 2013

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Girls from North Africa Participate in U.S. Department of State Program on Empowering Girls Through Technology

Two African Museums Among U.S. State Department’s 2013 Museums Connect Cultural Exchange Awardees July

2013

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Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY * Forest Guardians

Sicán National Museum, Ferreñafe, Peru

Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, CA

Working with Three Mountain Alliance, Līhu’e, HI

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced that 27 TechGirls from eight Middle Eastern countries and the Palestinian Territories will arrive in Washington DC on June 25 for a three-week exchange. TechGirls provides girls from the Middle East and North Africa with the knowledge and resources to pursue higher education and careers in technology. This program builds on the U.S. global commitment to advance the rights of women and girls around the world.

From June 25 – July 18, these tech-savvy teenagers from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen will engage with their American counterparts in the classroom and the community, working on their technical development and leadership skills. They will participate in an iD TechCamp, an interactive technology and computer camp, at Towson University; meet with leading U.S. technology companies in Washington, DC, and New York, NY; and take part in community service activities. The TechGirls will be also be mentored by representatives from top technology companies, making important personal contacts and expanding their networks to compete equally in an often male-dominated field. The TechGirls Program is administered by Legacy International.

TechGirls was first announced in 2011, on the heels of the successful first year of TechWomen, a mentoring program that pairs emerging female leaders with top American women in the technology sector.

Working to ensure a diverse experience, the Department has teamed up with several private sector partners, including: 24Notion, ALIVE!, Inc., AT&T, Bully Pulpit Interactive, Code4Charity, the DC Digital Divas Dinner, DoSomething.org, Facebook, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Girls in Tech, Girls Who Code, Google, OhMyGov Inc., Precision Network, Relief International, TechChange, Women Innovate Mobile, Yahoo!, and Verizon Communications. The State Department is also pleased to collaborate with the White House, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), and the Federal Communications Commission for the TechGirls program.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the American Alliance of Museums, announces today the selection of 11 new projects as part of the Museums Connect program. Museums Connect links U.S. communities with communities around the world through innovative, museum-based exchanges that foster mutual understanding while focusing on important topics like climate change, women’s empowerment, disability awareness, and civic engagement, among others.

Projects pair cultural institutions in the United States with partners from 11 international locales and involve community members, particularly youth, to reach beyond institutional walls.

Awardees include:

* Ancient Shores, Changing Tides – Developing Local Archaeological Heritage Expertise

Palawan State University Museum, Palawan, Philippines

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle, WA * Citizenship Unbound: Flag Stories

Islamic Art Museum of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA

* Common Ground: Connecting Communities through Gardens Egyptian Agricultural Museum, Giza, Egypt

Gidan Makama Museum Kano, Kano, Nigeria

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, PA * A Journey through the African Diaspora Museu Afro-Brasil, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center, North Brentwood, MD

* Re:building Home: Climate Change in New York and Samoa

Museum of Samoa, Apia, Samoa

American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

* Scaling the Walls/Escalando Paredes: Creating Urban Green Spaces

Interactive Science Museum, Quito, Ecuador

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

* Turning the Table: Understanding Cross-Cultural Movements

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ateneo de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, San Antonio, TX

For more information on the awarded projects, visit http://exchanges.state.gov/cultural/museumsconnect.html or www.aam-us.org/museumsconnect.

Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum, King City, CA * Design Diaries International

Palestinian Heritage Museum, East Jerusalem, Palestinian Territories

Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter @TechGirls.

For more information, please contact of the Bureau of Educational and * emPOWER Parents: Fostering Cross Cultural Cultural Affairs at ECA-Press@state.gov.

Networks between Families with Autism

Source:amipnewsonline.org

* From the Ground Up: Nutritional Values, and Cultural Connections

Museo ICO, Madrid, Spain

Source:amipnewsonline.org ###

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3 Ghanaians Excel In Silicon Valley

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The ingenuity of three young Ghanaians has seen them emerge as one of the promising software developers in the world.

The team’s production of world number one start-up application called Dropifi has earned them a deserving special mention at California’s technology capital, Silicon Valley.

Dropifi has won the accolade of being the first African company to join the Silicon Valley-based 500 start-up apps.

David Osei, Effah Mensah and Kamil Nabong founded the startup in November 2011 after joining the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (Mest) programme in Accra, Ghana in August of the same year.

Speaking to the CNN recently, the team explained that Dropifi is a smart customer service widget that helps users better analyse, visualize and respond to incoming messages and also tells when sent emails are opened.

David Osei said the recognition of the team’s effort by industry watchers around the world is “a dream come true” adding that they will work hard to meet the expectation.

He said the widget has only three fields to be filled by the customer/potential customer, but is able to pull other details about persons from their social networks and other online sources, which is then forwarded to

the company, so they have a better understanding and insight of who each individual is, to ensure a more effective response.

The co-founder member disclosed that currently they were focusing on the USA, UK and Canada markets. This, he believes, would enable them spread their wings and veer into other technological areas.

He divulged that currently, they have thousands of corporate clients who have signed up to the system, most of which are in the USA and in Europe; but there are few in Ghana such as Saya, Retail Tower and Claim Sync among others.

He believes that the numerous awards won by Dropifi since its inception is a result of its easiness, simplicity and affordability of the web tool.

The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is a two-year fully sponsored trainee program for young graduates with a focus on practical skills in software development and entrepreneurship. GhanaWeb is a media partner of the MEST. Source: GhanaWeb

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Joy News' Gifty Andoh Appiah Nominated For African Journalist Of The Year Award

MultiTV’s Gifty Andoh Appiah has been shortlisted in the 2013 edition of the Multi Choice African Journalist of the Year, 2012.

Her nomination comes just a year after another Multimedia prodigy, Anny Osabutey of Joy FM won the CNN Africa Radio Journalist of the Year.

She is one of two Ghanaians named in the final list of 27 finalist released. The other Ghanaian is Rebekah Awuah, GBC 24, Ghana.

Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the independent judging panel made the announcement at a short ceremony on Monday.

She said: “A tough table of judges was often visibly impressed by the range of stories presented to us. African journalists, as represented by our entries, have risen to the challenge of 2012. The big stories were well-covered. The small stories were not forgotten. We commend the dedication of journalists who are very much part of a rising Africa with rising professionalism, increased appetite for tough and investigative journalism, an eye on those left behind and a deep commitment to telling good stories across many mediums.”

According to her, there were entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking African countries. The competition is now in its 18th year.

The following is the full list of nominees. There are 27 finalists from 11 countries: Gifty Andoh Appiah, Joy News TV, Ghana Rebekah Awuah, GBC 24, Ghana Domingos Bento, Seminário Novo Jornal, Angola Thomas Otieno Bwire, Pamoja FM, Kibera, Kenya Axcel Micael Chenney, Le Défi Média Group, Mauritius Florence Dallu, Freelance for Koch FM, Kenya Nicola de Chaud, Freelance for Carte Blanche, South Africa Adrian de Kock, The Star, South Africa Ibrahima-Benjamin Diagne, Radio Futurs Médias (RFM), Senegal Msindisi Fengu & Yandisa Monakali, Daily Dispatch, South Africa Selma Inocência, Rede de Comunicação Miramar, Mozambique Geoff Iyatse, The Guardian, Nigeria Thanduxolo Jika & Media 24 Investigations Team, Media 24, South Africa Judy Jeptum Kosgei & Mauritius Oduor, Citizen TV, Kenya Lucas Ledwaba, City Press, South Africa Lázaro Mabunda, O País, Mozambique Carol Natukunda, New Vision, Uganda Amon Ngabo, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Uganda Tolu Ogunlesi, Freelance for Ventures Africa, Nigeria Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Sunday Punch, Nigeria Brenda Okoth, The Star, Kenya Nassima Oulebsir, El Watan, Algeria Passant Rabie, Egypt Today, Egypt Roseline Wangui & Wambui Kurema, NTV, Kenya From: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com

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Adenuga loves spending money on what gives him joy. It could be said that, partly for this reason, he acquired a private Bombardier Global Express jet, fitted with the latest flight facilities. It is one of the most luxuriously built private jets in the world, just like that of Dangote.

Jim Ovia

Jim Ovia started building his fortunes when he founded Zenith Bank Group in 1990. The bank has grown to become West Africa's second largest financial service provider by market capitalisation and asset base. His sources of wealth are banking, telecommunication and real estate investment.

He also owns Quantum Luxury Properties Limited, a private equity fund with special focus on Africa. Ovia's total net worth is about $825 million.

He has embarked on the establishment of a free, co-educational high school, James Hope College, in Delta State, the place where he pondered his future as a young man. The school, an 18-month project, launches in September with an initial capacity for 420 students. He is also the founder of Mankind United To Support Total Education (MUSTE), an organisation providing scholarships for the underprivileged.

Abdussamad Rabiu

To make wealth is an achievement; the way it is spent is style. In most cases, successful individuals who have created wealth through wise and diligent investments in business hardly squander their money. They usually prefer to reinvest their capital, including the accrued profit over the years, into their businesses to increase their asset base and level of affluence.

Mike Adenuga

Otunba Mike Adenuga built his fortune in business from banking, mobile telecom service and oil. He founded Globacom, now Nigeria's second largest mobile phone network, in 2006.

Globacom has more than 24 million subscribers in Nigeria, and also operates in the Republic of Benin. Adenuga made his first fortune at the young age of 26 in the 1970s by distributing lace The tendency, therefore, is that the richer they are, the more their and other materials. He later had another opportunity to expand business interests expand. In line with this corporate tradition, the his fortune during the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida rich investors get richer and, when they spend, they do so in a big when he was awarded a contract for the construction of military way worthy of mention. This is because of the extensive attention barracks in some military installations in the country. He is attracted by their rare wherewithal and will to spend, including presently worth $4.7 billion, thus justifying him as one of doling out money on humanitarian grounds. Among Nigeria's priv- Nigeria's super-rich businessmen. ileged people are: Adenuga is a philanthropist who spends a lot of money on selfAliko Dangote less activities aimed at bringing succour and assistance to lessprivileged people. Adenuga also takes his philanthropic goodNigerian business tycoon Aliko Dangote is the richest man in will to the area of sports development in Nigeria and Africa Africa. He is the founder, Dangote Group, West Africa's largest through his selfless investments in sports. His demonstration of publicly listed conglomerate with diverse business interests such philanthropic largesse cuts across sponsorship of Nigerian as sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, real estate and salt proProfessional Football League (NPFL) and the Super Eagles. cessing. Dangote Cement, Dangote Foods (noodles) and Dansa This was one of the points highlighted by President Goodluck Juice complete the chain. His total net worth is about $16.1 as at Jonathan at his (Adenuga's) 60th birthday. "You are celebrating March 2013.

60 years of a remarkable life filled with monumental achievements in high entrepreneurship, philanthropy and dedicated Dangote spends money in philanthropic activities. He has stepped service to God and country," the president said. up his philanthropy in recent years, giving over $100 million to causes ranging from education and health through flood relief, Similarly, the president of the Confederation of African Football poverty alleviation to the arts. He acquired a private jet in April (CAF), Mr Issah Hayatou, used the occasion of Adenuga's birth2010 as a personal gift on the occasion of his 53rd birthday. The day celebration to appreciate his contributions to the society. He Bombardier Global Jet Express XRS (one out of a few) was estirecognised that Adenuga had not only affected Africa positively mated to cost $45 million. Dangote is also said to have purchased through his accomplishments in business but has also been the a private luxury yatch at the cost of $43 million made exclusively pillar of sports on the continent. for his enjoyment. The yatch is named Mariya after his mother.

Lagos-based business tycoon Abdulsamad Rabiu is a son of Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu, one of Nigeria's most successful businessmen in the 1970s. Little wonder therefore that he followed in his father's footsteps in business with interest in importing basic commodities such as rice, sugar and cement in the 1980s.

Abdussamad heads the BUA Group, a conglomerate with $1.9 billion in revenues and interests in sugar refining, vegetable oil processing and flour mills. The BUA Group also operates the BUA Cement, Nigeria's first floating cement terminal, as well as Nigerian Oil Mill which processes edible oil. According to Forbes magazine report, he is the 21st richest African and is worth $675 million.

Folorunsho Alakija

Billionaire oil tycoon, fashion designer and philanthropist, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija is worth at least $3.3 billion against a recent Forbes' rating which quoted her net worth as $600 million. She began her professional career in the 1970s as secretary of defunct International Merchant Bank of Nigeria, one of the country's earliest investment banks.

In the early 1980s when banking was seen as one of the most lucrative jobs, she took a bold step towards realisation of her personal dreams by quitting her job in the bank to study Fashion Design in England. She returned to Nigeria a few years later to establish Supreme Stitches, a high-profile fashion firm which provides special services to exclusive clientele. She also founded Rose of Sharon Foundation, a charity organisation.

This fashion design business led her into fortune. She was in a position to make and sell high-level clothing to the fashionable wives of some military big shots and other society women.

In May 1993, Mrs Alakija set out for oil business. It was then she applied for an allocation of oil prospecting licence (OPL) to explore 617,000-acre block granted to

Nigeria's Super Rich - How They Make, Spend Their Money July

her company, Famfa Oil Limited. However, at that time, she had no experience in oil exploration -- she was just a new entrant in the business.

Also, Mrs Alakija is widely reported to own a private jet, Bombardier Global Express 6000 which cost about $46 million, added to acquisition of a property at Hyde Park. This is one of the ways she spends her wealth, which gives her happiness.

Furthermore, she is a philanthropist who derives joy in giving assistance to widows and other less-privileged in society.

Tony Elumelu

Mr Tony Elumelu (CON) was born in Jos on March 22, 1963. He is a renowned economist, banker, investor and generous philanthropist.

Elumelu is a recognised African leader in corporate business. After leading United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc to a higher level with the acquisition of Standard Trust Bank (STB) during the consolidation of the banking industry in 2005, he retired from the management of UBA in July 2010.

On establishment of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he stated the foundation's objective as to "prove that the African private sector can itself be primary generator of economic development". Among the roles of the foundation are deployment of resources to generate reliable solutions to the business constraints that derail and clog the growth of business in the private sector in Africa.

Moreover, Elumelu ploughs a lot of resources in philanthropic activities. Apart from the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he was also a member of the World Economic Forum's Regional Agenda Council on Africa. He is also part of the Bretton Woods Committee which brings leaders in the global banking industry together. Voluntary development of human capital is one of the cherished interests where Elumelu spends his wealth. He also partners with the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) with high focus on strengthening the role of the private sector in economic transformation policies of some African countries. This partnership is named Blair-Elumelu Fellowship Programme.

Elumelu, the originator of the concept of Africapitalism as an economic philosophy that reflects the commitment of players in the private sector towards the economic transformation of Africa through long-term investment, is a consummate patriot with a full-blown obsession for how he can make his country and continent a better part of the world.

Interest in paying family hospital bills, unpaid school fees, providing for families who cannot provide their needs -- all form part of what Elumelu does through his catalytic philanthropic method of assisting human beings within the shores of Nigeria and Africa.

Hajiya Bola Shagaya

Hajiya Bola Shagaya is hailed as one of Nigeria's richest businesswomen. She is the CEO of Bolmus International Limited. She has interests in several sectors ranging from oil and gas, banking, cash crops export, real estate, fast-moving consumer goods and photography.

She has been a very influential figure in Nigeria's corridors of power for decades and has excelled in a society where the role of women has been restricted traditionally. Her rise to affluence and power is not attributed to parental or marital influence. This woman of means has skilfully built her network and wealth from a humble background, and has proven herself as an outstanding power broker with impressive entrepreneurial skills.

In the manner of an astute entrepreneur, she saw opportunities in

the populous image-conscious Nigerian market, prompting the expansion of her Konica marketing operations to photo laboratory services; that was the birth of another of her companies - Fotofair (Nigeria) Limited. Today, Fotofair is a leading photo laboratory company in Nigeria with over 30 laboratories spread across the nation.

Hajiya, as she is fondly called, has impressively carved her path in the sixth-largest oil producer's oil and gas sector. As far back as the late 1980s, during the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida-led military administration, she had steered her oil and gas company through the highly connected and contested Nigerian oil and gas sector to secure allocations for oil blocks. Thus began her reign as an indigenous oil marketer.

Around 2005, she became the managing director of Practoil Limited and, in 2011, she founded another exploration company, Voyage Oil and Gas Limited.

Shagaya, who is of Yoruba extraction, a tribe distinguished as party enthusiasts of the over 200 tribes in Nigeria, often attends the biggest social events dressed in "anko" with Nigeria's first ladies -- a local practice of Nigerian women indicating bosom friendship by wearing the same traditional attire especially to social functions.

The one-time patron of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) is a collector and retailer of the finest and most exquisite jewelleries from different fashion capitals of the world. "I love fashion, artworks and beautification endeavours," she said.

The graceful billionaire is not all about heavy-weight work.

"I'm also a lover of sports, especially Polo", she said. She has consistently supported Polo tournaments in Nigeria over the years.

Femi Otedola

Femi Otedola is the CEO of African Petroleum Plc. He was one of only two Nigerians (alongside Aliko Dangote) to appear on the 2009 Forbes list of 793 dollar-denominated billionaires in the world, with an estimated net worth of over US$1.2 billion. Femi Otedola is the Nigerian president and chief executive officer of Zenon Petroleum and Gas limited.

Forbes magazine estimates Femi Otedola's net worth at $1.2 billion and ranks him as the 601st richest person in the world.

According to Encomium magazine, Femi Otedola's net worth is $3.5 billion.

He owns a private jet called Challenger Global 5000 and a yatch almost similar to Dangote's named Nana after his wife.

Emeka Offor

Sir Emeka Offor, as he is often addressed rarely grants interviews, rather, he prefers his works, businesses and philanthropy to speak for him.

His multi-million business interest, Chrome Group, is a multifaceted organisation which originally started as an engineering outfit handling projects such as refinery maintenance, has today become by the grace of God, a conglomerate with diverse interests in Oil and Gas, Finance/Investments, Telecommunications, Insurance, Maritime, Destination Inspection, Real Estate and the Power Sector.

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He once said in a newspaper interview that he is a son of a policeman, born in Kafanchan in Kaduna State.

Offor is a goal-getter and founder of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, a platform through which he doles out millions of naira for philanthropic purposes.

A member of Rotary International and deeply involved in the 4 cardinal pursuits of the Rotary Foundation, which are; peace and Conflict Management, Maternal and Child Death, Basic Education and Literacy, and Polio and Guinea Worm Eradication. He has made an outstanding donation of 250,000 USD for Peace studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, $250,000 for Polio eradication; $250,000 for Guinea worm eradication; and another $250,000 for Women empowerment programmes in Nigeria. He was inducted into the Foundation Circle of the Arch Klumph Society of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, an honour reserved for individuals who have donated over $250,000 to its causes. Through his Foundation, he has donated over $1 million, making him the highest donor from Africa.

This Anambra State-born politician and businessman has heavily invested in education. The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation is the largest single sponsor of Books For Africa, a non-profitable organization, bringing in over $10 million worth of books, computers and other educational materials to our national institutions of learning and public libraries. He was reported to have also used his money to enthrone a governor in his home state.

Andy Uba

Initially named Nnamdi Uba and currently a member of the National Assembly as a Senator of the Federal Republic, Senator Andy Uba is a member of the famous Uba family in Anambra State. He is stupendously rich and was reported to have declared his assets to be worth N3trillion though he denied ever doing so.

Uba has a lot of lucrative business interests and he is connected with a number of charity works via a Foundation.

Holy Fire Dynamic Word Ministry Feeds the Homeless

Every other week homeless men and women wait outside the New York branch of the Holy Fire Dynamic Word church on 1111 East Tremont Street in Bronx, New York , happily awaiting the meal that would grace their plates Rev. Eric Owusu leads the congregation to serve various dishes to the homeless . This has now become a routine that they look up to every other sunday after Church closes. The gesture has been embraced and commended by the community.

Speaking to the Head Pastor of the ministry at one of such events he quoted Luke 14:13-14 “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

According to Rev. Eric Owusu the Church started this bi weekly program not too long ago but it is amazing how much the entire congregation has been committed to lend their support . He therefore promised to keep up with it “until thy kingdom come”.

Rev. Eric Owusu serving a man from the street

NASA Finds Message From God on Mars July 2013

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explore the Martian climate and geology for NASA announced that its Curiosity Rover signs for habitability. has found an unambiguous message from God written on tablets in a Martian cave. Thus far the mission has been a success, with the discovery of an ancient seabed and According to an official press release two chemicals needed for life suggesting that giant stone slabs the size of small eleMars was once suitable for life. phants were located deep inside a cavern abutting Aeolis Mons, a large mountain.

However the tablets, both of which are signed “Peace and Love – Yahweh,” repreUpon one tablet is a copy of the Ten sent the rover’s most significant find to date, Commandments and the text of John 3:16 and is perhaps the most important scientific written in 12 languages – including event in history.

English, Spanish, Chinese, Basque and Hebrew. On the other tablet is a simple “When people find out about this, they will message in English reading “I am real.” demand change in our society,” explains a political scientist at Georgetown University.

According to top scientists who have stud- “Democracy will have to give way to theocied the discovery extensively, these find- racy. We’re gonna have to build more ings may have definitively established churches and reintroduce prayer into Christianity as the one true religion. schools. Abortion is defiantly going to be illegal within a few months.”

“This is amazing,” says Syms Covington, an Australian researcher working for Despite its potential significance, Covington NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. “We fears that the Earth-shattering discovery went into the cave looking for water, and may not make the impact it should. we found proof of God’s existence instead.

“Unfortunately, the mainstream media is so anti-Christian, they might not even pick up “I mean how else did those tablets get this story,” he explains. “But God is real. there? I can tell you one thing: there’s not We have proof. And everyone deserves to a single atheist inside NASA’s control hear the truth.” room now. What we saw was jaw-dropping.” http://dailycurrant.com Genesis 1:1

NASA’s Curiosity rover arrived on Mars in August of last year with a mission to

Church members helping to provide for the needy

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Offices in Dumfries and Alexandria Call to Make an Appointment

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The Pruning Her Page

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah

The dutiful gardener took out his shares and pruners and entered the garden. Today, he would be cutting, trimming, pruning and shaping the shrubs at the front of the house.

He knew exactly where to begin. He went to a shrub and took out his largest shares and began cutting off the wayward and dying branches. Then he continued to trim the shrubs from the bottom towards the top. In between, he took out pruners of various sizes as needed, cutting, clipping and snipping here and there, shaping and redefining the branches and vines as required. The shrubs were easy in the hands of the gardener. No one heard them scream or wail in agony throughout the process. But somewhere, there was a lot of resisting, screaming, shouting, crying and, yes, wailing when a vine was being pruned. Was it you? Or was it me?

This time, it was our sister Matilda.

Matilda wept and wept out loud.

She cried in her private room and complained in both that room and everywhere she could find a sister or brother to hear her complaints. Her quiet times with the Lord had not been so quiet lately. They were filled with cries of agony, loud praying filled with questions, accusations and pleas! “Why am I going through this pain when I have been faithful and careful to follow your ways?” Why do you lead me to a desert where there is no life when I prayed and clearly heard you instruct me to go this way?

Yet, this place is nothing but a desert! You have sent me to a place of suffering and no prospects! Why o God why? She began her prayers on her bed and later found herself on the carpeted floor prostrate and pleading with God to bring her a quick escape. She cried with her hands bald up in two fists desperately pounding the floor as she prayed, cried and wailed. “O God Why?” Matilda’s problems had been going on for years and she was at her wits’ end.

She was desperate and had nowhere to turn but to God, her Hope, her Prisoner, she sometimes thought. She had to hear from God today. She had to know why it had taken so long. Why all the directions and instructions from God on this one matter had led to dead ends. “Why? Why when I take orders only from you and for you to deal with me in this terrible way?” Matilda heartbreakingly prayed and cried loudly until her head hurt and was fully congested that she found that she couldn’t breathe. She went to the bathroom to blow her nose so that she could free her sinuses from the stuff in the way of her breathing. It was there in the mir-

ror that she saw the physical results of her battle with God. Her face was terribly swollen and her eyes were blood shot. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She looked almost as bad as she felt. But she felt she had no choice. She had to continue.

She returned to the carpeted floor and threw herself on the floor once more; this time she didn’t open her mouth to pray. It was all in her heart.

Her broken heart spoke to God while the tears rapidly flowed all over again. Suddenly, a song forced its way out of her heart and through her mouth. It was a song she had not sang in at least 10 years. She wept more from her agony. She wept more from her tiredness. She wept more, because she knew she had just received her answer from God. When you haven’t sung a song in a long time and you suddenly begin to sing it while in prayer, you have to know the Lord is speaking to you through that song. Matilda recognized this truth as she repeatedly sang the song even as she pondered the meaning of the words, her message from the Lord. She sang: “Nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee; Even though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be nearer, my God to Thee; Nearer, my God to Thee, nearer to Thee.” She began to understand what God was telling her. She continued singing it the next three days, because the song just wouldn’t leave her. The morning of the fourth day, the revelation was complete. She fully understood the word from the Lord. Her tears of pain were turned to tears of joy, the sorrow that was killing her transformed to over flowing rivers of water, and her cries were now smiles and laughter. Matilda had heard from the Lord and this time the word from God had settled everything. All her questions, her pleading, her crying, her accusations were over and she was grateful. The Lord had been pruning her the entire time.

Why does a gardener prune? According to research on pruning, a gardener prunes to ensure the health and vigor of a plant. Pruning removes dead and diseased branches and it helps a tree or shrub maintain its shape and vigor by removing broken, dead or diseased branches that can be unsightly and make it more difficult for the tree or shrub to stay healthy. Pruning also promotes the growth of other plants or trees, because trees and shrubs that go without pruning for years become over grown and make it difficult for other plants underneath or adjacent to them to grow in healthy. For example, grass or minor plants beneath an overgrown tree might not get adequate sunlight, which it needs to establish strong roots so it can grow in lush and healthy.

Pruning reduces risk of accidents, it can bring plants back to life and it also adds to curb appeal (http://orangeleader.com/local/The-benefits-ofpruning-trees-and shrubs).

Just like oxygen giving plants, we, as salt giving Christians, undergo pruning seasonally.

Our Lord and master, the Chief Gardener, enters the garden of His world and thoughtfully approaching us, begins to prune us individually so that we may be in optimal spiritual health for growth and nurturance. Often in pruning, God will withhold fulfilling a promise or answering certain prayers, because He is working on our patience, our resolve, our faith and our maturity.

As Father and Chief Gardener, He knows us all too well and knows what it will take to improve

us, to season us. He knows that it is not wise to simply give us all we want and require in a moment’s time, which in effect will spoil us and leave us untried and unproven. In pruning also, God orchestrates certain obstacles and incidents to befall us, these are our trials and tribulations testing us, even as He is there to help us in every way.

And how do we respond in these seasons of pruning? Well, we don’t hear trees and plants scream or wail in agony, but as human beings, we shout, scream and cry terribly when we are going through the pruning process. The pruning process is not easy, because parts of you are being chopped, cut and snipped off. And because we are flesh feeling individuals with our own will and understanding, thinking we know better than the Gardener, the Creator and Caretaker of the plants, we find it extremely difficult and painful that we should be pruned at all, much less seasonally!

But the Gardener knows His job and intently goes about it. Jesus Christ said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful…” (John 15: 1- 2). “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). One of the good points that we should observe in this scripture is that if we are being pruned, then we are the good branches which are not to be cut off. Christ is the vine and we, His children, who have confessed Him as our Savior, are the branches. God the Gardener is the pruner and prunes as He sees fit, so that we may grow and bear more fruit. If we are to abide in Him, then we must remain healthy, for it is only through good health that we can bear fruit.

The state of being in health and vigor requires that we be trimmed, pruned and shaped.

When God prunes as a gardener prunes a shrub or tree, His intent is not to punish, injure, or destroy. Rather, His intent is to strengthen, shape and revive. First Corinthians 10:13 tells us that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. This means that every test He designs or temptations He allows to come our way for our benefit is one that is not too burdensome or overwhelming, and He will make a way for us to overcome. When we go through tests, trials and tribulations and even temptations, we are in the end shaped and become spiritually healthy and stronger than before. We grow closer to Him. And we are of greater use to the kingdom.

This brings us to Matilda’s revelation. What God was telling Matilda through the song “Nearer my God to Thee” was that all the tests, tribulations, obstacles and challenges she was facing were intentionally designed for her to grow closer to Him and eventually guide her to fulfill her calling and receive her blessings and heart’s desires. The Lord particularly pointed to the lyrics “even though it took a cross that raiseth me” to teach her that just as Christ had to endure the excruciating suffering and death on the cross before He could overcome the enemy and ascend to the Father and His throne, so also will Matilda have to bear her crosses so that she will be raised and blessed. That was God’s intent all along and when the Lord spoke to Matilda through that song, her understanding became complete and her countenance was altered,

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because now she knew that just as Christ was glorified, she too will receive her heart’s desires and glory. God was not punishing her. God had not abandoned her. He was simply preparing her.

The Lord gave me this topic after going through some major pruning myself. Like Matilda, I too complained and wept terribly, because pruning is so painful! But our God is always faithful and He speaks to His children, giving them strength and even wisdom to advance. To further establish God’s communication with us, I will provide an insight to this article. After writing half of the article, as usual, I went back to reread and revise before moving on to complete it. When I read the introductory paragraph that we have here, the Lord directed me to make the article more personal. He wanted me to present a character to demonstrate the truth of pruning and the heartache and agony that one feels and experiences when being pruned. As I put my fingers to the key board, I began to type the name Matilda. Then I quickly erased it.

Why Matilda? I don’t like that name. It is old and so traditional. I wanted something current and fresh like Stephanie or Jasmine to name the character. So I touched the key board again, to type a new name, but again, I felt a prodding to put down Matilda as if my fingers were being directed, and so I did.

But again, I erased it. I was fighting this nudging, but no other name was suggesting itself at the moment. I unwillingly typed Matilda a third time and again, quickly erased it.

The point here is that character names are important. As a writer, one must feel that a name is appropriate for a particular character.

I wasn’t feeling Matilda. I said to myself, why is this name suggesting itself? Is God trying to tell me something? I decided to go to the internet and search the meaning of the name Matilda. I typed “Matilda meaning”.

Seeing the definition of the name, I realized that the Lord was being very specific and was impressing on me to use this name. I discovered that the name Matilda is rooted in German and it means “strength in battle." It was a profound moment. I always allow the Lord to lead my topics, but this moment was extra special. Here, the Lord presents His preferred name because He wanted to speak to the experience and result of pruning. He also wanted to advance my understanding of pruning and my own experience.

The Lord our God is the perfect gardener. The Lord Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. To grow in Him and to remain in Him, we have to be pruned. We have to be tested and we have to mature. Pruning for the Christian is a battle, but after we have gone through this battle and overcome it, we are strengthened. So let us continue to remain in Him even when the battle is hot and the circumstances cause us to shout or scream out loud. They will only lead us to our knees and the carpeted floor where we sob and wrestle. Recall that after wrestling with the angel, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Let us all endure so that we will emerge with our new names!

Gari & Beans

An old Ga lady was in an elevator at the Bank of Ghana, going to visit the governor.

A beautiful white Lady gets in smelling of expensive perfume. The white lady turned to the Old lady and said arrogantly, "Georgio Armani, Milan, $1200 per bottle.

The old lady said nothing.

Another beautiful woman also smelling expensive, enters the elevator, turns and looks down her flat nose at the Ga Lady and said "Channel No.5, Paris, $2000 per bottle".

The elevator is now filled with the aroma of the magnificent scents of combined perfumes.

One floor later, as the old woman approaches her destination, she quietly eases out a long silent burst of flatulence, which quickly overpowers the combined expensive perfumes and leaves the two young ladies holding their noses.

As she steps out of the elevator, the old lady turns and says "Gari and beans", Chorkor, 50 pesewas per plate". Nonsense!

Source: facebook

Akpos again!!

Akpos got 2 school late on monday morning And the teacher asked"Akpos why did u come to school late?"

Akpos answered "one man lost $100 note at the bus stop" The teacher said "ooohh! thats good of you", "seems you were helping the man look for his lost money".

Akpos answered "Nooo! I DEYCRAZE ?? Na me stand on top of the money"

Joke Center

What Is Your Name?

INTERVIEWER:- What is your name?

AKPORS:- M.P sir

INTERVIEWER:- Tell me properly!

AKPORS:- Michael Pinkrah sir

INTERVIEWER:- Your father's name?

AKPORS:- M.P sir

INTERVIEWER:- What does that mean?

AKPORS:- Moses Pinkrah sir

INTERVIEWER:- Your native place?

AKPORS: M.P sir

INTERVIEWER:- And what's that?

AKPORS:-MamPong sir

INTERVIEWER:- What is your qualification?

July 2013

No be small Wahala oooooooooooo

Then the daughter of my wife, my stepmother, had a son. This boy was my half-brother because he was my father's son, but he was also the son of my wife's daughter which made him my wife's grand-son.That made me the grandfather of my half-brother.

"This was nothing until my wife and I had a son. Now the half-sister of my son, my stepmother, is also the grandmother. "This makes my father the brother-in-law of my child, whose stepsister is my father's wife, I'm my stepmother's brother-in-law, my wife is her own child's aunt, my son is my father's nephew and I'm My own son's grandfather! And you think you have family wahala

INTERVIEWER:- (Angry) what is it?!

AKPORS:- Master of Philosophy

INTERVIEWER:- So why do you need a job?

AKPORS:- M.P sir

INTERVIEWER: Meaning?

AKPORS:- Money Problem sir

INTERVIEWER:- What is your personality?

AKPORS:- M.P sir

INTERVIEWER:- Would you explain yourself and stop wasting my time?

INTERVIEWER:- I see... I will get back to you.

AKPORS:- Sir, how's my M.P?

INTERVIEWER:- And what's that again?

AKPORS:- My Performance.

INTERVIEWER:- M.P !

AKPORS:- Meaning?????

INTERVIEWER:- Mental Problem!!!

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Two men met at a bus stop and struck up a conversation. One of them kept complaining of family problems. Finally, the other man said: "You think you have family problems? Listen to my situation. A few years ago I met a young widow with a grown-up daughter and we got married.

"Later my father married my step daughter. That made my stepdaughter my stepmother and my father became my stepson. Also,my wife became mother in-law of her father-in-law.

AKPORS:- M.P sir

AKPORS:- Monocratic Personality

Page

Source:facebook.com

July 2013

Hawknad Manufacturing Industries, Inc Alexandria Virginia, 22312 Tel : 703-941-0444

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Dave’s Seafood, Meat and Poultry

July 2013

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The First African-Owned, USDA Certified Manufacturing Plant in the U.S.

By Phyllis Cunningham

Hailing from Nigeria, West Africa, David Adodo came to America in 1986, where he began working as a nurse practitioner. After five years in the healthcare sector, Mr. Adodo’s decided to explore his options for opening his own business.

In 1997, with the support of his family, he launched his manufacturing company—Dave’s Seafood, Meat and Poultry, located in the heart of Baltimore Maryland.

A leader in the wholesale industry, over the years, Mr. Adodo has built his company’s reputation on supplying his customers with high quality, low sodium meat products including, smoked turkey, chicken, fish, and jerky. The com-

pany’s stellar customer list includes, C&C, Gold Coast, and Holly Poultry to name a few.

“Make sure the job is done and done well,” is the creed that undergirds Mr. Adodo’s success in business. Today, Dave’s Seafood, Meat and Poultry is known as the first and only African-owned, USDA certified manufacturing plant in the United States.

And, nearly 17 years later, the Dave’s wholesale manufacturing company is flourishing—commanding five refrigerated trucks, one fully equipped van and 10 dedicated employees. Most recently, Mr. Adodo acquired the Phillips Plant, relocating his company to a 46,000 square foot facility and setting the stage to expand to the international marketplace.

South African Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Appointed As New UN Women Executive Director The Secretary-General in a statement acknowledged Bachelet’s “commitment in spearheading the organization’s work on gender equality and the empowerment of women” in many levels.”

During a brief phone interview late Thursday afternoon seeking comments on the primary underlying factor for the selection of Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka to replace Ms Bachelet as the new head of UN Women, Jane Gaffney in the Office of the spokesperson of the Secretary-General said it is against UN policy to go into the specifics of any particular personnel appointment.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a veteran feminist activist and politician was appointed Wednesday

by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the new executive director of UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, a former South African deputy president from 2005 to 2008 succeeds Michelle Bachelet – the first executive director of UN Women since 2010, and Chilean president from 2006 to 2010, who resigned in March to run for a second term as president of Chile.

Ms Gaffney provided via email, a document “Transparency in the selection and appointment of senior managers in the UN Secretariat” (JIU/REP/2011/2) that outlines the general process that is followed when the UN hires senior managers.

Still, the Secretary-General through his spokesperson applauded Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka noting, “She brings to this position, a wealth of experience in advocating for women’s issues with a combination of strategic leadership, consensus building and hands-on management experience.”

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka’s advocacy for women and youth spans over three decades. She served as the first president of the Natal Organization of Women, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front after its formation in 1983 to increase women’s empowerment and promote women’s rights

She moved to Geneva to work as Young Women’s coordinator for

23

the World Young Women’s Christian Association in Geneva (19841986)

In 1994, she became a Member of Parliament chairing the Public Service Portfolio Committee. She served as deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (1996-1999), minister of Minerals and Energy (1999-2005) and briefly served as acting minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 2004.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka established Umlambo Foundation in 2008 to provide support to schools in impoverished areas in South Africa through mentorship and coaching for teachers and in Malawi through school improvements with local partners.

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Educational Planning and Policy from the University of Cape Town (2003) and a BA in Education from the University of Lesotho (1980).

In 2003, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Cape.

Born in 1955, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka is married with three children.”

She is expected to take up her position at UN Women in August.

By Dennis Kabatto

Afrikan

Post

5th ANNUAL BAFFOUR SOCCER TOURNAMENT & WEST AFRICA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

The Baffour Soccer Tournament is an annual charity event organized in the Washington DC metro area purposely to raise funds to support Baffour and other charitable causes in the community.

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JUNE 22ND 2013

This year’s events marked the fifth anniversary of the Baffour tournament. There was a lot of excitement building up in the African immigrant community in Northern Virginia, DC and Maryland in anticipation of the tournament. All tournaments have been very successful and 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 serves as a great platform for the African communities in the area to socialize, bond and network. The whole day event was from 8am to 6pm on Saturday June 22, 2013.

The event is also used to promote African charitable organizations and businesses; so that people can learn more about such organizations and how their activities are benefiting the immigrant community and the public as a whole. Among organizations that participated and provided health, education and informational sessions in this year’s event were Ngozi, Quality Care Home Care Services, Some Get Help Women's Initiative, World Health and Education Awareness foundation, Heritage Multicultural Program & Services, Inc., Partnership for Healthy Kids, Coordinated Services Planning, United Christian Ministries, Greater Prince William Health services, National Organization on Disability, Save By Grace Foundation, Northern VA Family Services, Highlife Radio, Guiding the Journey, Dark Is lovely and Express Pharmacy. Previous events have been fun-filled with and a great atmosphere for families. Apart from the soccer, there was also music, BBQ, dancing and cheering with “Jama” by the supporters of the participating teams. This year’s event included festive activities for both adults and children, such as, table tennis, face painting for kids and a variety of kiddie competitions. Food and drinks will be available for minimum donations as part of the fun raising effort.

The Ngozi Group making a presentation to the Prince William Courage Fund

The goal of this year’s event was to raise enough money and resources to benefit not only Baffour but Africans in the Diaspora who find themselves in similar situations. Baffour, who also works as an Executive Secretary of Ngozi made cash donation to Prince William Courage Financial Assistance program and Bright Foundation Inc.. The Courage program provides financial assistance to courage families in the County and also offers coaching and education assistance to needy families.

Ngozi is 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization based in Dumfries Virginia which works with Friend of Baffour to support African immigrants in United States and the wider public as whole. Ngozi seeks to find ways to raise funds and provide support for those who have fallen on hard times due to injury, terminal illness, loss of employment or other unforeseen circumstances. Visit www.ngozi.org to learn more about the organization.

The Bright Foundation Inc. Receiving a Share of the donation from the Ngozi Group In the picture are Senya Donkor (Founder of the Bright Foundation), Anim Sampong,Kwame Ahenkorah (Ngozi Group ) and Ms. Alice Gyamfi (1st Runner up-Miss Africa USA 2013) and Baffour

Afrikan

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5th ANNUAL BAFFOUR SOCCER TOURNAMENT & WEST AFRICA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

July 2013

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JUNE 22ND 2013

Members of the Ghanaian Pharmacists Association pose with Baffour

The West African Community Collaborative Group (Part Sponsors) were represented

Leaders of Abrempong Elite Gentlemen’s Club at the fair

Soccer MissionariesWinners of the Baffour Soccer Tournament 2013

The captain of the winning team showing off a check presented to the team

Amy Ansong of Afrikan Post, Kwame Ahenkorah (Phobia) and Anim Sampong (Nafeel) of the Ngozi Group pose with Baffour

Baffour and friends pose for Afrikan Post

Ms. Alice Gyamfi (Volunteer) at Baba’s Khebab grill

Baffour presenting certificates of participation to the Teams

Word and Spirit Baptist Church in Virginia Hold Musical Concert

Afrikan

Post

July 2013

From left : Elder Theophilus Arthur, Rev. and Mrs Osei Mensa Sarpon (Hosts)

Ms. Elizabeth ,Mavis and Portia leading the Baptist choir in some of their selections

Excited Guests

Faith Family Choir

Imperial Praise

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Afrikan

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t

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Afrikan

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GHANA SUMMER JAM 2013 In New York

there was more… in the form of Kwabena Kwabena and Samini.

Kwabena Kwabena’s performance brought out all of the women. As soon as Kwabena Kwabena appeared on stage around 3:20 am with a live band, couples gathered around the foot of the stage and so did every single woman in that concert hall. Dressed in simple African attire, Kwabena Kwabena slowly massaged the minds of the women in attendance through his love songs. Watching Kwabena Kwabena, live in concert, was like watching Elvis Presleythe women went crazy, yelling, screaming, and pushing at anyone and everything that stood in between them and Kwabena Kwabena. Kwabena Kwabena performed for 2Shy, popularly known for his hit, “Azonto Girl”, took to the stage with back up dancers, both male and female. After singing more than thirty minutes, taking the audience through a pleasant journey of his music. By the time Kwabena a few newer songs, 2shy gave the crowd what they wanted and Kwabena sang another one of his hits, “ Obi Do Wo A Do sang “Azonto Girl”, jumping onto the floor of the auditorium Ni Bi”, the whole audience was swaying back and forth, and showing the crowd how to do the Azonto in true form. He united as one, singing about the importance of love. took the Azonto to another level and the crowd was highly Samini performed last, joining the end of Kwabena impressed with his skills, high energy, and performance.

Kwabena’s performance, to co-sing “Adult Musik”.

Squadee took to the stage after 2shy. Squadee, a group which is Dressed in a simple black and white ensemble, Samini well known for their collaborations with Sarkodie,Buk Bak,Criss allowed his vivid sounds and performance to color the atmosphere within Gaucho’s four walls. Utilizing the stage Waddle, E.L., Chase, and others, recently released their 13as if it were a trampoline, Samini jumped, danced, and track album, NO DAYS OFF, which included hot tunes like “Turnt Up” and “Monopoly”. Squadee brought their street edge skipped all over it, while getting the crowd involved in his act. Thirty minutes into his act, after singing “Tempo”, Afro-fabulosity sound to the halls of Gaucho’s, turning up their drenched in sweat, he quickly unbuttoned his shirt and con“swag” and getting the crowd even more warmed up.

After Nana NYC, 2Shy, and Squadee performed, Buk Bak took tinued the show with his hit song “Linda”. Samini perto the stage around 2:25 am. Buk Bak, the duo which is continu- formed like a 4x4 Olympic relay team member—he knew ing to share their multi-nominated song “Kolom” with the world, exactly when to slow down, and exactly when to speed up.

By 4:35am, when he introduced the audience to one of his performed songs the audience was familiar with, including latest songs, “Tomb Bomb”, the whole crowd knew every “Gonja Barracks”. When Buk Bak sang “Kolom”, it was the first time many people in the U.S had seen it performed live. The single word, solidifying the power of Ghanaian music and duo started and stopped the song, and then restarted it, causing a the ways in which African music is capable of transcending the African continent. loud cheer from the audience. Buk Bak performed extremely well and gave their all to their performance.

Ghana Summer Jam 2013 was a wonderful event, bringing together 2shy,Nana NYC, Sammy Khaki,Buk Bak, Tinny, Tinny performed after Buk Bak, gracing the stage with his Samini, Squadee, and Kwabena Kwabena, all talented American –themed style. Singing hits like “I Need It” and Ghanaian artists, who are unique in their own right.

“Ringtone”, Tinny worked the stage during his performance, which was also full of energy, excitement, and intensity.

Everyone in the audience knew the words to Tinny’s songs, and Source: Amy Ansong it was proven throughout his performance, as he randomly stopped singing to allow the crowd to complete various segments Afrikan Post of the songs. Tinny brought his “A game” to the show and the audience appreciated every single effort he put into his performance.

Ghana Summer Jam 2013 could have easily ended after Tinny’s performance and everyone would have gone home happy… but

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July 2013- The Ghana Summer Jam 2013, which was held at Gaucho’s in New York City, was a splendid event. Presented by Fantasy Entertainment, in collaboration with Big Apple Sounds, Goodlyfe Fam, and Ohemaa Ladies, Ghana Summer Jam 2013 was an extraordinary event which showcased some of Ghana’s top artists.

Hosted by Jah Tempo, Ghana Summer Jam 2013 opened with a performance by Nana NYC and 2Shy. Nana NYC, widely known for his various music collaborations and award winning iRap TV show on BronxNet TV, performed “Giving Up”, which was followed by “Party Pooper”, with Sammy Khaki.

Buk Bak Singing Kolom

Tinny

Kwabena Kwabena and Crowd

Daughters of Glorious Jesus in the Bronx Daughters of Glorious Jesus Performs Live at Rulers Convention 2013

Bronx NY (The Christian Journal Reporter) With more than 20 years of inspirational gospel music.

Ghana’s sensational gospel music trio performed live at Upper Room Assembly of God Church in the Bronx New York on June 29 2013.

With 10 albums and over 100 songs to their credit, Daughters treated gospel music fans to an unforgettable performance. They were at their best, performing most of their hit songs.

Source: Francis Boanoh The venue was packed with fans who danced their hearts out to music from the gospel music trio. The concert, which was held at Upper Room Assembly of God, was part of a week-long event Rulers Convention and Temple dedication at 1074 Franklin Avenue Bronx NY.

July 2013

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Miss Africa USA 2013 Afrikan Post

The Miss Africa USA 2013 Pageant was held on saturday June 29, 2013 at the Fillmore Theater in Silver SpringMaryland, The Winner Ms. Kathy Onwu is a a Registered Nurse and ambassador for Vanderbilt’s Coalition for Healthy Agingwomen’s division.

Her passion is embedded in benevolence and to support the latest health care provision, assist in providing health care screenings, and educational materials to women and children in undeserved populations

Ghyslaine Tchouaga of Cameroon Miss Africa USA 2011-2012

Winner of Miss Africa-USA Kathy Onwu, bits her tongue in disbelief of her new-self,

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Miss Africa USA 2013

Photo: aitelevision online

Queen Kathy Onwu's visit to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC accompanied by the Calabar Carnival Queen Sophie Dijeh and members of the Calabar Carnival Commission. The Delegation was received by Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Archibong who congratulated the New Queen and shared some words of wisdom with everyone.

1st runner up, Miss Alice Gyamfi, from Ghana

July 2013

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Miss Sierra Leone USA, Ruby Johnson heads back to Freetown for Mining Internship

Afrikan

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July 2013

Afua Osei Crowned As Miss Ghana USA 2013

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New York City, NY - On Friday June 28th a panel of esteemed Ghanaian American judges chose Afua Osei, representing the Upper East Region as Miss Ghana USA 2013. Popular YFM host Papa Sly flew from Ghana to host the competition along with New York based Juliet Amoah from the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City.

Afua Osei, the 26-year-old beauty from Bowie, Maryland, is a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy graduate of the University of Chicago. She started her career in politics working for EMILY’s List and also served as a Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia and White House intern in the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Afua also won Miss Congeniality from her fellow contestants who voted her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant.

By: SEM Contributor on July 16, 2013.

Ruby Johnson is not your typical beauty pageant Queen. Just over a month after her homecoming trip to Sierra Leone to mark the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary, Miss Sierra Leone USA Ruby Johnson is back in Freetown to undertake a hard-hat internship with OCTEA Mining (formerly Koidu Holdings Ltd.).

A mining engineering student in the USA, Ruby is set to spend the next two months at OCTEA’s diamond mining site in Koidu, Kono in the Eastern Province getting first-hand experience of the industry in Sierra Leone.

As Miss Ghana USA 2013, Afua will advance her platform of “Empowering and Connecting the Next Generation of African Female sectors.

Business Leaders” in Ghanaian communities across the United States and Ghana. She will Dr. Ahmadu adds a final remark, “Ruby implement her platform by connecting young embodies exactly what MSLUSA is all about Ghanaian women with mentors, professional – nurturing and developing leadership poten- development seminars, and networking events tial, a commitment to community service as in the United States and Ghana. She is also a well as career advancement among Sierra partner of Next Wave Africa: Women’s Leonean girls and women in the US”.

Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition, preparing young women to pitch their business ideas and Swadu Natasha Beckley is the current pageant raising money to provide seed funding to buddirector of MSLUSA. As a former Miss ding female entrepreneurs.

Sierra Leone USA titleholder who became a Miss World finalist, Ms. Beckley commends Throughout the two-hour event contestants Ruby’s success and the impact of the showcased their beauty, poise, intellect and MSLUSA pageant in changing lives, “Ruby personality competing in the following cateleft Freetown at a tender age and made some- gories: swimsuit, talent, evening gown, and thing of herself in America. Now, she’s come interview. The judging panel for the Miss back to tell other girls that they can achieve Ghana USA competition included Chief Judge their own dreams and they don’t have to leave Isaac Babu-Boateng, Chairman of Face2Face Sierra Leone to do so”.

Africa, Sandra Appiah of Face2Face Africa,

Ruby will travel back and forth to Freetown meeting with key officials in the mining sector in Government and private industry as well as learning some of the administrative operations of the company.

OCTEA president Ibrahim Kamara whose office is in the capital, Freetown said in a Ruby first visited the kimberlite mining site in statement that this internship is particularly Koidu during her April/May 2013 official visit important because Ms. Johnson is not just to Sierra Leone. She visited several schools, another Sierra Leonean. She is the reigning talked to high level officials in Government ‘Miss Sierra Leone USA’ a role model and and appeared on SLBS-TV in an effort to pro- ambassador for thousands of young Sierra mote her platform to advance girls education in Leoneans in especially the US. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

“To give her a firsthand understanding of what we do and how we do it represents an According to Miss Sierra Leone USA coopportunity for us to reach out to the thoufounder and CEO, Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu, sands of young Sierra Leoneans across the “Ruby’s professional internship with Octea world that follow her every move, and Mining is important in so many ways. First, demonstrate our commitment to engage with the MSLUSA Pageant is fortunate to have in Sierra Leoneans all over the world. And with Ruby such a bright, articulate and ambitious her background in Mining Engineering, there ambassador for girls and women of Sierra could not have been a better placed candidate Leone descent in the United States. Secondly, for this,” Kamara said.

Ruby’s platform to promote girls education in STEM fields is a high priority in Sierra Leone By Dennis Kabatto as well as the rest of the world in terms of Source:www.sierraexpresmedia.com achieving gender equality in traditionally male

Kobina Brew-Hammond of Arik Airlines, and Emmanuel Dadson of Digital Management Inc.

The event was sponsored by Arik Airlines, Fashmimi, Face2Face Africa, Applause Africa Magazine, MUI PR, Shea Cares, AdRev World, Rock Me Africa Magazine, Royal Design, Primus Hub, and Dolsh Radio. DJ Universe provided luxury music for the competition and after party.

To help Afua empower and connect the next generation of African female business leaders, email her at MissGhanaUSA2013@gmail.com.

ABOUT MISS GHANA USA

Miss Ghana USA was founded in 2009 by Gloria Opare to promote young women of Ghanaian heritage and to offer them an avenue to achieve their goals and carry out social and humanitarian initiatives. The organization’s mission is to find and promote exceptional women with a strong interest in education, humanitarian issues and the Ghanaian culture. For more information visit: http://www.missghanausa.org.

Source: Afua S. Osei

Candice Mekoba wins Miss Africa New Jersey

Congratulations are pouring for Miss Nigeria! Candice Mekoba was crowned the winner of the Miss Africa New Jersey 2013 on July 12 in Newark New Jersey. Her crown was handed over by last year's winner, Ucee Guzeh, who competed for Liberia. The 1st runner-up was Tai Njaye from Guinea, and 2nd runner up Tina Limengo from Democratic Republic of Congo.

10 women competed in this year's pageant from 7 African Countries. The 10 finalists were presented to a panel of five judges. The finalists were judged based on their stage Introduction, Talent, Traditional, Swim Suit, and Evening gown. These girls were so good that it took the judges sometime to come up with the results. In attendance was more than six hundred audience who witness this event including community leaders.

Website: www.missafricanj.com

The United States Congress Celebrates Nelson Liberia: Kanvee Adams Wins Special Mandela’s 95th Birthday International Gospel Music Award

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(c) AMIP News Photo – House Speaker John Boehner Delivering Opening Remarks

July 18, 2013 Story by Cindy Saine (VOA News)

CAPITOL HILL — Leaders of the U.S. Congress held a ceremony Thursday celebrating the life, legacy and values of Nobel Peace Prize winner and former South African President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

A colorful ensemble of traditional South African singers, dancers and drummers danced their way into Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, where a large group of U.S. lawmakers, civil rights leaders and members of the African Diplomatic Corps were gathered.

House Speaker John Boehner thanked the Congressional Black Caucus for organizing the event, and paid tribute to Nelson Mandela for keeping his humility and faith through 27 years in prison and his long struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

“At times it can almost feel like we are talking about an old friend,” said Boehner, who called Mandela beloved in the halls of Congress. “And the reason for that I think is scarcely a week, a day goes by without us pointing to Mandela as an example.”

Democratic Party Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who led anti-apartheid protests and was a leader in the California movement to divest state pension funds from South African companies — which became a national divestment movement — paid tribute to Mandela’s decades of sacrifice, calling him “the most significant historic figure in the world in the past 100 years.”

Republican Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell called Mandela a very rare individual.

“Rarer still is a leader who can directly challenge an established

July 2013

order, upend nearly every convention of a society, and still find a way to establish himself as a unifying figure,” he said.

Mandela has spent more than a month in a South African hospital for a lung infection, though family members and doctors said Thursday they are encouraged by his progress.

Ebrahim Rasool, South African ambassador to the United States, said there can be no doubt that Mandela will leave a lasting legacy of standing up for the oppressed all over the world.

“Even today, as the angels wrestle with his soul, he refuses to pass simply out of human existence,” Rasool said. “It is reported that he is watching television with his headphones on.”

The audience of dignitaries came alive when musicians from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz played Hugh Masekela’s “Bring Him Back Home.”

Members of Congress took turns reading short passages from Nelson Mandela’s own words from different phases of his life, and recalled that he spoke to a joint session of Congress twice, inspiring Democrats and Republicans alike.

Source:amipnewsonline.org

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Attending the award ceremony of behalf of the Liberian government was Liberia’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Wesley M. Johnson and staff from the Liberian Embassy and members of the Liberia Community in the UK. According to the website of the organizers, Africa Gospel Music Association, the event honors and recognizes talented and hardworking Gospel or Christian music community The Liberian Charity Ambassador worldwide and is dedicated to Kanvee Adams has been awarded the exposing, promoting and celeSpecial International Award for the brating gospel music through Promotion of African Gospel Music African-fusion music of all at a ceremony held at the Great Hall, styles.

Queen Mary’s in the city of London, United Kingdom on Saturday, July 6, The Liberian Musical 2013.

Gospel icon was previously nominated for the ‘Best The 4th annual Africa Gospel Music Female Artist For Africa’ and Awards are given to successful and the ‘Best Artist For West popular gospel music artists around Africa’ awards.

Africa and other African Gospel musicians based outside the contiKanvee’s Gospel songs feature nent. The annual event brings togeth- prominently on the playlists of er a wide range of inspirational, pop- DJs at Liberian social gatherular and successful gospel artists. ings and African terrestrial and Her participation over the weekend internet radio stations outside was Liberia’s first recognition since the country while holding the event was launched years ago. firmly onto the local scene.

Since the release of her popular tracks entitled, “Carry My Load”, Kanvee has produced 12 “Thank God for Mama” and leading Gospel albums “Bundle”, the Liberian female who between 2002 to present, constarted her career 10 years ago and sistently sweeping the national has traveled throughout the Liberian Gospel Awards in several cateDiaspora to the USA, Benin, Togo, gories to include her trio Dominican Republic, Trinidad and ‘Artist of the Year’, ‘Best Tobago, Ghana and Nigeria and has Selling Album’, ‘Best taken her career beyond the shores of Inspirational Artist’, just to Africa and was tipped as one of select a few. dozens of African Gospel musicians for the international event.

In an interview with Daiqua Media Services Limited, UK, the Liberian female artist thanked the Africa Gospel Music Association for the honor.

She thanked her fellow Liberians, in particular for accepting her music and the message from the Gospel she spreads through her songs. She also used the occasion to thank the Liberian government for their assistance in making her travel to the award ceremony a success and promised to continue preaching through songs while serving Liberia.

Source: http://tcjonline.org

Ghanaian Business Woman killed in An Accident on Tappan Zee Bridge

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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Police on Wednesday afternoon of July 25, said a panic attack sent a wrong-way driver straight into a chain-reaction crash on the Tappan Zee Bridge that killed one person and left four others injured.

The wreck happened just before 9 p.m.

Tuesday near exit 10 on the Rockland County side of the bridge.

Police said Michael Schechel, 69, was driving south in a white sport-utility vehicle in the northbound lanes of the bridge when his vehicle slammed head on into a Nissan that was being driven by Newman Ayeh-Brachie, 57.

“At this point, we do not believe that there is any drug or alcohol involvement,” State Police Lt. Richard Mazzone told reporters including WCBS 880′s Jim Smith. “I don’t have any information as far as why he was going the wrong way. We have speculative information and right now, we’re in the process of investigating that.”

The impact of the crash caused the Nissan to roll over multiple times before it landed on its roof in the middle lane, police said.

“Not speeding, not aggressive, not coming at me like ‘let’s do this.’ It was like, ‘I’m just going to keep driving,’” Evans said.

Meanwhile, friends and family members of Hannah Ayeh-Brachie were mourning her loss Wednesday afternoon. She was a beloved family matriarch, and the owner of two businesses in the Bronx.

“It’s basically senseless,” said family friend Rich Ankrah. “How could someone be driving on the wrong side of the highway; in the wrong direction? It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

Evans said he saw the wrong-way driver make the mistake – unhurried, deliberate, and seemingly oblivious.

People who know driver Schechel, of Westchester County, were also horrified.

Friends said he suffers from lupus and drives with a nurse.

“He had home care,” a friend of Schechel’s said. “It wasn’t extensive, but A passenger of Ayeh-Brachie’s car, 56-year-old he needed it in case something happened.

He had oxygen and things of that Hannah Ayeh-Brachie, was pronounced dead nature.” at the scene, police said.

A third car heading north hit Ayeh-Brachie’s car after swerving to avoid Schechel’s SUV, police said. That car was being driven by 34year-old Juan Robles, according to police.

Robles’ car was then rear-ended by a fourth car that was driven by Nancy Gallo, 44, police said.

Finally, a fifth car being driven by 40-year-old Thomas Gibson sideswiped Schechel’s vehicle before coming to a stop, police said.

Newman Ayeh-Brachie, Gallo, Schechel and a passenger in Schechel’s car, 56-year-old Luz Hoffman, were all taken to the hospital in serious and critical conditions.

CBS 2’s Lou Young spoke with a witness who saw it all.

“I laid on my horn and he just kept coming right at me,” said witness Chris Evans. “It was kind of like a game of chicken.”

State police investigators believe the fatal mistake may have happened in Nyack, on the Rockland side of the bridge. Two side-by-side ramps are found at the site – and while the one on the right leads to the northbound New York State Thruway, the one on the left leads to the wrong way on the Tappan Zee.

The person in the passenger’s seat told police Schechel suffered a panic attack before the wrong-way run.

As of that afternoon, no charges had been filed in the crash.Uganda: Miracle – What a Blessing That Sermon Was!

Source: The Christian Journal

Nigeria: Confessions of a Pastor Who Smoked Cannabis for 15 Years July 2013

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BY EYO CHARLES,

Calabar — How often do you meet a truly repented smoker? Perhaps not often! One strange thing is that many of those that claim to have repented from taking hard drugs or even cigarette are often unable to completely regain their health!

Ini said many suffered various consequences. For him, it was usually chest pains again and again.

"My ailment was usually chest pains and cough.

One funny thing happened to me at a point when I tried to stop smoking: the chest pain would become excruciating and it would be continuousThe major cause of insanity among young people ly. today, some versed people and medical experts say, are traceable to the heavy consumption of Indian hemp and other hard drugs which reason government agencies are battling hard to tame.

Frank Ini claimed he was a chronic smoker of cannabis, cigarette and Indian hemp for 15 years and got fed up.

"Funny enough, when the chest pain comes and I began to smoke again, it would just go away! Was this telling me that it was not going to be easy for me to withdraw?"

But was it his efforts to stop smoking or it came naturally from the effect of the gospel? "Take Despite his age which he said was 64, Ini who hails note" he said, "What you forsake, don't go back to it. The important thing is to 'dismantle the bridge from Akwa Ibom State, looks bulky and fit. when you cross if not you would want to use that Frank said he smoked cannabis, marijuana or same bridge again to return!

Indian hemp for several years but there was no one who had the courage to confront him over it, not even his elders.

"One day, in my own case, I saw an old friend who thought I was still in the old life and invited me out. But I told him that I was no longer into Having come out of chronic smoking and drinking, such lifestyle. Truly, the guy won me over and I the grandfather and a pastor of a Deeper Life Bible saw myself enmeshed in what I fled from!

Church branch in Calabar now wants to discourage "But because I had strong urge to stop smoking, young people from encountering what he passed I summoned courage and God was with me.

through in life.

He expressed, "I want to share the terrible experiences I had as a marijuana smoker. I lived in Jos, Plateau State where I was a chronic smoker for 15 years. "That time in Jos, life was seemingly good and the peculiar weather there influenced me to smoke. I want to sincerely thank God that at that time I was intensely smoking I did not get mentally sick".

"I noticed that when I stopped initially I became weak. That was over 30 years ago.

"But now, I am strong and I feel even better. I feel freer.

"I think I want to link my ability to completely stop smoking following my attendance at a church event where the pastor preached to my soul. I Ini said police rather helped him to intensify his think the theme was something like 'seek ye first smoking habit instead of cautioning him. But it was the Kingdom of Heaven and all other things shall the same police that nearly did him in! be added unto you...' I began to adhere to what He said, "To show you the extent of corruption in the pastor said and after sometime... "

the country, at that time, I was a friend of one DPO [Divisional Police Officer].

Asked if there are any special benefits derivable from smoking Indian hemp and such hard drugs, "He had his office upstairs while we would stay Ini said to a mad man suffering is his own kind of downstairs and smoke because we would settle him enjoyment. at the end of the day. I was very lucky that I was not arrested by the same police officers."

"I can tell you that there is absolutely no benefits Frank said that he was apprehensive of the to derive from smoking either Indian hemp or police though the DPO was his friend because of marijuana. the "returns" they made to him. He said then, if any smoker was arrested with Indian hemp they "But as young people, we think when we have risked being jailed for 10 years. women around us and a stick of cigarette between our lips and some bottles, we think we are on top He recalled that one day, he had some wraps of of the world. hemp in his bags and still wanted to go out to "But absolutely there's nothing in it than accumubuy more. "But luckily enough for me, as I lation of dangerous agents into our system. branched to enter where it was sold somebody tapped me on the back and said, "don't enter, "I would advise our young people to avoid these don't enter." things. I would not advise any young man to go into such an experience because it is one that can Policemen had laid siege at the place and they completely degenerate anyone," the pastor picked up his associates and suppliers. They advised. coughed up money through their noses to be set free. Some of them were sentenced to lengthy Source:onlinenigeria.com years of imprisonment.

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Hollywood Actor to Star as Mandela in New Biopic The 2013 All White Party on the Spirit time that producers of the Mandela biopic just could not resist but have him play the freedom fighter, of Washington Mandela.

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July 2013

The biopic is about the South African Leader and his struggles as anti Apartheid campaigner and ANC leader in South Africa. It shows how the strong willed leader spent 27 years in prison. The film chronicles his childhood in a rural village to his victory as the President of South Africa.

Ghanaians should be proud of ourselves right now because one of our very own, Idris Elba (mother- Idrissa Akuna Elba from Ghana), plays Mandela in the Mandela biopic: 'A long Walk to Freedom'.

The Hollywood actor, also of Sierra Leonean heritage, happens to be having such a great year. The multi-national actor, known for his work in' Luther' and 'the Wire' was not long ago battling alien monsters in Pacific Rim, a fantasy film.

The star is reported to have made such an impact in his films in a short

This biopic however comes at a sad time as the real Mandela struggles with his health issues. Mandela has been in a Pretoria Hospital for the past five weeks.

This is however not the first time the 95 year old has been confined to a hospital bed this year.

Reports say Elba seem to be extremely thrilled and uniquely into character on set. The enthralled Actor said "it was an absolute honour for me. I can't wait for people to watch the film and judge themselves. But it is an important story and an important film".

The Luther actor stars opposite Naomie Harris. The inproduction film was inspired by Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom. The autobiography has never been made into a film after 17 years.

When asked if this was the right time for the Mandela movie. The producers of the movie remarked that this was certainly the right time to produce such a movie on Mandela and especially in the light of his health crisis.

The teaser released on the web a couple of days ago, opens with Elba as the freedom fighter walking through open countryside and surrounded by running and laughing children.

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The maiden edition of the All White Midnight cruise, presented by DJ Albert and DJ Alongay, was successfully held in Washington D.C on the night of July 6,2013. Setting sail from the Washington DC Waterfront, a multi-level cruise ship was provided for all guests to party on all levels. An all-you-can eat buffet was provided and guests danced the whole night to Fuse ODG, Buk Bak, 5FIve, Obour, D'Banj, r2bees, D Cryme, and many other artists. Dj Akuaa, DJ E love, and Selecta Decka worked their magic all night, making sure they kept the dance floor hot. The party was attended by guests from all over the nation, including Selasi Duse, a world reknown musical artist and producer.The party also included a surprise party for Dj Alongay, who was celebrating a milestone birthday.

While the cruise ship navigated the waters of the Potomac River, cruising past national landmarks, guests aboard the cruise ship were decked in All white attire, enjoying the music, food, and atmosphere.

The 2013 All White Party on the Spirit of Washington was a grand success, and the 2014 All White Party promises to be even bigger and better. All those interested in spreading the word about their business/companies/clubs may send an email to mixmasterberto@gmail.com , for co-sponsorship details for next year's event.

By Amy Ansong

Source:allafrica.com Idris Elba

Upper Room Assembly of God Dedicates Temple On an unusually sunny day in the Bronx New York, Upper Room Assembly of God dedicated their church building “The Rulers Temple”.

Some 300 invited guests and church members gathered on July 7 for the event. Daughters of Glorious Jesus performed a day before as part of the weeklong celebration.

BBT, Rev Benjamin Boakye Ebenezer Assembly of God, Rev Nicholas AnaneAgyei Inner Court Sanctuary, Rev Opuni, Rev Asiedu and many more.

The temple became officially dedicated and one can feel the Spirit of God in the building.

The official dedication was led by Rev Paul Rev Mark Asante Manu said his congreFrimpong Manso General Superintendent gates are dedicated and hard working of Assemblies of God Ghana, assisted by Rev which have made this possible.

Dr Sam Attor General Treasurer Assemblies of God Ghana and Rev Paul It was a significant day at Upper Room Assembly of Adu Anto. “Once a Temple has been dedicated it has the sanction of heaven”. He God. In the entrance of the church is a plaque that reads “to the glory of God, This temple was dedicat- declared and encouraged the church to take good care of the building since it was the ed on the 7th day of July in the year of our Lord house of God. 2013 by Rev Dr Paul Frimpong Mansong General supretendant Assemblies of God Ghana” In attendance were Rev Adu Gyamfi of After opening remarks and activities, Rev Paul Frimpong Manso General Superintendent Assemblies of God Ghana officially cut the tape to the main entrance of the building.

Bronx NY (The Christian Journal Reporter)

As the congregation took their seats, Rev Mark Asante Manu led the congregation with a powerful praise and worship followed by performance from Junior Kingdom Voices. It was followed by a fundraising led by Rev Dr Kwame Owusu Ansah.

Students of Gertrude Boamah Present 2013 Summer Piano Recital

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Piano Recitals

Julius Ahenkora started piano at the age of twelve using Piano Adventures Method by Nancy and Randall Faber. Through hard work and perseverance, he has successfully completed all levels.

In 2012, he did the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Piano Grade 3 exam and passed with distinction.

For his six years of dedication, commitment and perseverance in the study of piano, for outstanding performances and participation in community recitals, he received THE BEEKO AWARD! Eric Odame Beeko Dr. Beeko is a Ghanaian born musician who is currently a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, lecturing at the department of African Studies and the Department of Music. This award is given in his honor for his immersed contribution to music both in Ghana and US and for being a great mentor to many of us.

Ms. Gertude Boamah-Music Teacher/Private Piano Teacher

Duane Doku started piano at the age of six using Bastien Piano Basics Method. For his twelve years of dedication and love for music, artistic development, outstanding performances and a generous heart to share his gift through participating in the community recitals, he received THE BEEKO AWARD

The Students pose with their Instructor after the event

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Piano Recitals

Naa Kwarley Quartey Receiving a medal for her dedication and completing her lessons

Afrikan Post

July 2013

30th Anniversary of The Church of the Living God Worldwide

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Since its inception in 1983, The Church of the Living God (CLG) has had the Vision of reaching cities and nations with the Good News of the Gospel: “Rescuing the Perishing, Caring for the Dying.�. The Church has branches in Maryland, Georgia, Detroit, California,Chicago, Fairfax and Richmond in Virginia as well as overseas branches in Ghana and East Africa. The week long program of activities was climaxed with a joint service at the Auditorium of Northwood high school in Silver spring, Maryland.

The Guest Speaker addressing the congregation

Rev. Stephen K. Gyermeh General Overseer outlining the vision of the ministry

Some of the Pastors from the various branches

The Mass Choir Ministering in songs

Rev. and Mrs. Gyermeh

The Packed Auditorium

Rev. and Mrs. Gyimah (Northern Virginia branch) and the Guest Speaker and wife

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Afrikan Post

Kingslight Chapel International Inc. 4th Anniversary/ International Day / Food Tasting Event 2013

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Kingslight Chapel is a Word-based, multi-cultural and racially diverse Church in Woodbridge , Virginia with a divine mandate to bring light to this dark world, hope to the hopeless and to equip the child of God for mission and victory.As part of their 4th Anniversary Celebration the Church organized an International Day and Food tasting event at which the following nationalities in the church were represented ; Nigeria, Cameroon,Liberia,USA and various tribes from Ghana.

Rev. Dr. Ahia- Armah-General Overseer of the Church

Rev. And Mrs. Ahia Armah Dressed In Rich Kente Cloth, A Ghanaian Traditional Attire

Some Members Of The Church In Their Traditional Attire Pose With The Pastor And First Lady

Dishes from various Countries Being Served at the Food Tasting Event

Church Members Doing Their Traditional Dances

A Show Case of Colorful Indegenous Culture

For More Information go to www.kingslightchapel.org Email:kingslightchapelva@yahoo.com Tel: 703-401-9727. KLC-Where All Needs Are Met

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Nigerian Clubs Suspended After 'scandalous' Scorelines

Four clubs involved in two play-off matches that ended 79-0 and 67-0 respectively - a total of 146 goals - have been suspended in Nigeria.

Plateau United Feeders were 79-0 victors over Akurba FC while Police Machine FC demolished Bubayaro FC 67-0.

"It is unacceptable - a scandal of huge proportions," said Muke Umeh, chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Organising Committee.

"The teams are suspended indefinitely, pending further sanctions."

Plateau United Feeders and Police Machine went into the matches level on points, with promotion to the lowest tier of the Nationwide League Division at stake.

Feeders scored 72 of their goals in the second half, while Police Machine reportedly scored 61 times after the break in their game.

The results meant that Plateau edged above Police Machine on goal difference.

Umeh added: "We will investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it."

The NFF's director of competitions, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, gave assurances that the Organising Committee would hand out severe sanctions on all persons and institutions indicted by the investigation.

"The teams involved, their players and officials, match officials, coordinator and anyone found to have played some role in this despicable matter would be severely dealt with," Sanusi said.

Source:allafrica.com

2014 World Cup: Fifa Sanctions Equatorial Guinea

Fifa has sanctioned Equatorial Guinea for using the same ineligible player in two 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde.

Cape Verde are awarded technical 3-0 wins for both games, which moves them two points behind leaders Tunisia.

The final Group B game between Tunisia and Cape Verde will now decide who advances to the final play-off round.

Prior to Fifa's move, Tunisia thought they had progressed while the Blue Sharks had been eliminated.

But then, the Carthage Eagles learned that Equatorial Guinea had potentially flouted Fifa rules in their qualifiers against islanders Cape Verde.

Equatorial Guinea fielded Mallorca striker Emilio Nsue Lopez, a player who does not meet the eligibility criteria, in the 4-3 win at home to Cape Verde on 24 March.

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations co-hosts have also been sanctioned for using the same player in the away match on 8 June, which Cape Verde won 2-1.

When the world governing body ruled against Equatorial Guinea, the latter's federation launched an appeal.

But Fifa have rejected that appeal, with the case centring on part III. of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes.

Source:allafrica.com

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