Afrikan post July 2017

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Ghana Launches Its First Satellite Into Space Pg. 5

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D is cla imer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s to r ies in th is N ews pa per ar e th os e o f th e a u th o r s a n d d o n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ik an Po s t . All co mmen ts an d s u g g es tio n s a r e welcome.

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USCIS Introduces Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The new Form I-485 and instructions have been substantially updated to reduce complexity after collecting comments from the public and stakeholders.

George Bright-Abu Publisher and Editor

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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Morocco shines for Africa at Washington DC 2017 Embassy Chef Challenge

Pg. 12

Ghana Has Successfully Launched Its First Satellite Into Space Pg. 5

South African Airways Receives “Best Airline Staff In Africa” At The 2017 World Airline Awards Pg. 12 Who Are You? Pg. 11 Diaspora Investment Seminar Pg 5 UPDATE Six African Players Were Drafted Into the NBA Pg. 37

The revised version gives applicants better information to accurately complete Form I-485, including clear navigation to the parts of the form and isntructions that are relevant to the applicants’ specific situations.

These updates should increase the efficiency of the adjudication process by reducing errors and requests for evidence.

Applicants living in the United States file Form I-485 to adjust their immigration status and become lawful permanent residents, which allows one to live and work permanently in the United States. Adjusting status is a critical step for those seeking U.S. citizenship.

USCIS also revised the Form I-485 Supplement A and Form I-485 Supplement J (as well as each supplement’s instructions), to provide applicants with more detailed information about how to properly complete, file, and submit evidence if those supplements are applicable to their situation.

Beginning today, there will be a 60-day grace period during which USCIS will accept both the 01/17/17 and 06/26/17 editions of Form I-485 and Supplement A and J. Beginning Aug. 25, USCIS will only accept the revised Form and Supplement A and J of Form I-485 and will no longer accept earlier versions of either form.

What’s New? USCIS improved Form I-485 to include: Better flow and organization of questions to make it user-friendly for both the applicants and USCIS. In addition, readability has significantly improved due to new spacing, columns, flow, white space, and formatting.

The questions about biographic information (Form G-325A) so applicants will no longer need to file a separate form; A list of 27 immigrant categories, which allows applicants to identify the specific immigrant category under which they are applying; and A comprehensive, updated list of admissibility-related questions. The added questions to ensure USCIS officers have the necessary information to better assess the applicant’s admissibility and eligibility.

What Remains the Same

While both Form I-485 and its instructions may look different from earlier versions, the process for filing Form I-485 and Form I-485 Supplement A and Form I-485 Supplement J remains the same. Applicants must still submit their paper applications to the location listed in the form instructions.

Further information

Visit the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status page and the Form I485 Supplement A page for further information about the new forms and instructions.

Applicants can visit the USCIS Green Card Eligibility Categories page for information on eligibility requirements for each immigrant category.

All USCIS forms are free on our website at www.uscis.gov/forms.

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Diaspora Investment Seminar

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july 2017

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Hon. Minister, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Minister for Trade & Investment and others discussed some of the key areas of investment in Ghana and the opportunities available to the Ghanaian business community and prospective investors on Friday, july 16, 2017 at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC

Hon. Minister for Trade & Investment, Mr. Alan Kyerematen shares investor opportunities in Ghana

Charge d' Affairs, Mr. Ernest-Burke Asare Asiedu gives opening remarks

Trade Attache - Embassy of Ghana

Moderator - Mr. Simon Madjie

Mr. Charles Oduro - Managing Director of Ghana Business Environment

Q & A Interaction

A Diasporan shares investment and business experiences in Ghana

GIPC CEO, Mr. Yofi Grant shares detailed information on business dealings in Ghana

Mr. Yaw Owusu Brempong - CEO Venture Capital

Mr. Joe Mensah, Vice President & Country Manager, Komos Energy Ghana

Audience members asks perninent questions

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The Friendly Soccer Duel Between The Senior Men’s National Teams Of The Usa - The Yankees, And Their Ghana Counterparts - Black Stars Ended 2-1 In Favor Of The Americans On July 1, 2017.

which they lost by a lone goal. Ghana Coach Kwasi Appiah before these back-to-back losses led his team to a 5-0 win over Ethiopia in a 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Both teams have played each other in the last successive FIFA World Cups, recording shorelines of 2-1 going in favor of the Ghana Black Stars as they eliminated the USA from the Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 games respectively. The USA bounced back in the Brazil 2014 World Cup by beating Ghana 2-1 in their first game.

Dom Dwyer who wore Jersey number 14 and playing in forward for the US got the first goal of the game in the 19th minute with a connect from his colleague Jorge Villafaña that beat Ghanaian goalie Richard Ofori.

The Ghanaians turned up the heat of the game which earned them a penalty in the dying minutes of the first half in stoppex time that captain Asamoah Gyan failed to convert. Goalie Brad Guzan of the US was alert enough to stop the penalty kick in stoppage time.

Emboldened by Asamoah Gyan's miss and the thunderous chants of their fans at the stadium, the Americans pushed themselves to their second goal when Kellyn Acosta found the back of Ghana's net in the 52nd minute to secure a 2-1 lead at the 28,754 packed stadium to set the place agog once more.

This game was the first ever friendly encounter between both countries and also the first time they were meeting each other since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Asamoah Gyan in the 60th minute of the game scored a face-saving goal to compensate for his penalty miss and inject some hope into the Ghanaian fans that had trooped into the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field to support the Black Stars.

Referee Ismael Cornejo of Slovenia brought the game to an end with a yet another 2-1 scoreline for both nations that painted a similar picture of the 2014 World Cup clash that sent Ghana crashing out of at the hands of the Yankees.

Ghana’s Black Stars came into the game from their first friendlies against Mexico played Wednesday, June 28

Starting Lineups USA: 1-Brad Guzan (capt.); 2-Jorge Villafaña, 5-Matt Besler, 6-Kelyn Rowe, 10-Joe Corona, 13-Dax McCarty, 14-Dom Dwyer 19-Graham Zusi, 20-Paul Arriola, 21-Matt Hedges, 23Kellyn Acosta Subs: 12-Bill Hamid, 22-Sean Johnson, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 4-Matt Miazga, 7-Kenny Saief, 8-Jordan Morris, 9-Gyasi Zardes, 11-Alejandro Bedoya, 15-Eric Lichaj, 17-Cristian Roldan, 18-Juan Agudelo Head coach: Bruce Arena

GHA: 1-Richard Ofori; 3-Asamoah Gyan (capt.), 6Mohammed Abu, 7-David Accam, 8-Ebenezer Ofori, 11Raphael Dwamena, 14-Jerry Akaminko, 15-Rashid Sumalia, 17-Lumor Agbenyenu, 21-John Boye, 22-Frank Acheampong Subs: 16-Joseph Addo, 2-Thomas Agyepong, 5-Gershon Koffie, 9-Kwadwo Poku, 12-Samuel Sarfo, 13-Isaac Sackey, 18-Winful Cobbinah, 19-Nicholas Opoku, 20Majeed Waris Head coach: Kwesi Appiah Officials: Referee: Ismael Cornejo (SLV) Assistant Referee 1: David Morgan (SLV) Assistant Referee 2: Douglas Bermudez (SLV) Fourth Official: Jaime Herrera (SLV) Source: Oral Ofori / US Soccer

Nigeria Jollof declared champion in first ever Washington DC Jollof Festival Jine 2017

TheAfricanDream.net that she was glad to have carried the day for Nigeria, and felt that people can now actually jump off the fence and try Nigerian Jollof for themselves instead of being prejudiced.

The winner walked away with

crosssection of people at #JollofFestival

On July 2, 2017, Ms. Atinuke Ogunsalu of Queensway Restaurant & Catering in Maryland, US, became the winner of the first ever Jollof Hackathon presented by I/O Spaces during Jollof Festival In Washington DC. The event was organized by Afropolitan Insights.

US$1000 coworking services from event partner I/O Spaces and an opportunity to become a Chef at Jollof Caviar; an upscale African Fusion Restaurant Opening in Washington DC in 2019.

Ishmael Osekre, the Ghanaian-born, New York-based founder of Afropolitan Insights, creators of the festival in an interview with TheAfricanDream.net said he was very touched by the attendance and welcoming spirit received from participants, vendors, and the city of Washington DC, adding “thanks to all your efforts we have set a great tone for #JollofFestival and we only look forward to building on it as we popularize the togetherness the meal brings here in the United States.”

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Afropolitan Insights is a collective of young Africans, African-Americans, and Caribbeans from Africa and in the Diaspora who curate events, create spaces for cultural exchange and social dialogue, celebrate diversity, innovation and ideas.

The Jollof wars will continue at the Jollof Festival NYC on July 23rd where organizers are determined to ensure all competitors participate in the competitions. To find out more about the premier Jollof Festival follow the #JollofFestival hashtag online or on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as @JollofFestival

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5nFcmHBuo

Source: Oral Ofori of TheAfricanDream.net

Ms. Ogunsalu put skeptics to shame with her win and proved to all that Nigerians can indeed cook Jollof when she secured her country the win at the event. Her competitors at the event were Cameroon, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. Jollof is cooked in a single pot with rice and a tomato-based stew plus preferred meat, fish or poultry. It is very popular the world over especially among West Africans.

The winning chef arrived at the event venue; 1630 19th Street in North West of Washington DC, with high hopes despite heavy opposition fueled by the popular assertion at that Nigeria Jollof, was indeed nothing to write home about.

A good number of the over 600 people that attended the #JollofFestival had high expectations of team Ghana Jollof to win, unfortunately, Ghana sold out due quickly of food, though they had called for backup it never arrived on time so they were beaten by the clock.

Lucinda Mensah is a Ghana Jollof fan

Nigerian Ms. Atinuke Ogunsalu of Queensway Restaurant & Catering with hands on chest

According to Lucinda Mensah a Ghanaian Jollof enthusiast that TheAfricanDream.net spoke with said “there was no Ghana jollof to taste when it was time to judge as we sold all since people were buying it like crazy. If Ghana had just one teaspoonful of jollof for the judges to taste we could have easily won. I noticed the Nigerians had a truckload of their jollof on deck, they came to battle and won fair and square.”

When it was time to make their final presentations to the judges it was only Cameroon, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria that were left standing.

Four-time ‘Embassy Chef Challenge’ participant and executive chef at the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC — Chef Francis Otoo — was joined by Gigi Ness of African Cuisine Inc, Tamara Raye of NATIVSOL, Maame Boakye of Dine Diaspora and Jamaican Andrea Coleman, (a) Jollof enthusiast, on the panel of judges to adjudge and announce the winner.

Each finalist was given five minutes to present their dish to the judges who based their decisions on participants’ presentation, taste, and originality.

According to Chef Otoo whose opinion was shared by the other judges, Ms. Ogunsalu did not only “capture a great taste and healthy combination of ingredients in her meal, she did an awesome job at presentation and that was something very pleasing to the tongues and eyes of the judges” he told TheAfricanDream.net a media partner of the event.

Newly crowned #JollofFestival champion Ms. Ogunsalu told

Leslie Tita of I_O Spaces (in blue shirt and wearing glasses) hangs out at #JollofFestiva

Ishmael Osekre with towel on shoulder talks2people

Ghana Has Successfully Launched Its First Satellite Into Space july 2017

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GhanaSat-1, which was developed by students at All Nations University in Koforidua, was sent into orbit from the International Space Centre.

Cheers erupted as 400 people, including the engineers, gathered in the southern Ghanaian city to watch live pictures of the launch. The first signal was received shortly afterwards.

It is the culmination of a two-year project, costing $50,000 (ÂŁ40,000).

It received support from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The satellite will be used to monitor Ghana's coastline for mapping purposes, and to build capacity in space science and technology.

Project coordinator Dr Richard Damoah said it marked a new beginning for the country.

"It has opened the door for us to do a lot of activities from space," he told the BBC. He said it would "also help us train the upcoming generation on how to apply satellites in different activities around our region.

"For instance, [monitoring] illegal mining is one of the things we are looking to accomplish." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40538471

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Mugabe Donates Cattle, Cash To AU

Zimbabwe has auctioned cattle worth $1m (£770,000) to raise money for Their donation was an "expansion" of a 2015 the African Union (AU) Foundation pledge

by Mr Mugabe to donate 300 cattle, to help end the "donor dependency he added. syndrome", President Robert Mugabe has said.

Speaking at the summit, Mr Mugabe said it was a "modest contribution" and a "symbolic He added that he had donated 300 step" towards helping to end the "donor cattle from his herd, and other Zimbabweans doubled the number as dependency syndrome" in Africa. they wanted to contribute towards a "noble cause".

Mr Mugabe handed the $1m cheque to the AU at its leaders' summit in Ethiopia.

The donation comes amid a severe cash and food crisis in Zimbabwe.

Last year, more than four million people were in need of food aid in the southern African state after rains failed.

However, there has been a bumper harvest this year, with the country expected to be self-sufficient for the first time in years.

The opposition blames the government for food shortages, saying its controversial land reform programme has ruined the farming sector.

Zimbabwe has also been forced to introduce so-called bond notes after running out of the US dollar, the main currency people use.

Hyperinflation forced the government to abandon the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009. Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the cattle had been donated mostly by farmers who had benefited from the land reform programme, the state-run Herald newspaper reported.

"As an African and a farmer, the donation of cattle came naturally to me, given that our continent is rich in cattle and cattle are held as a store of wealth," Mr Mugabe said.

On its website, the AU Foundation says it focuses on development programmes for youth and women, and promoting gender equality.

Mr Mumbengegwi said the donation was significant as it showed that the AU could find innovative ways to raise money for its projects.

Mr Mugabe, during his term as AU chairman in 2015 and 2016, campaigned for the AU to be self-financed as about 60% of its budget came from foreign donors, the Herald reported.

Source: bbc.com

Meet Ama Dwimoh, Democrat for Brooklyn District Attorney july 2017

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Ama Dwimoh, former Chief and founder of the Brooklyn DA’s Crimes Against Children Bureau, and current Special Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, has dedicated her life to serving and protecting the people of Brooklyn.

Ama was raised by West African and Native American parents and her upbringing instilled in her the importance of community, a strong dedication to justice and a deep understanding of and appreciation for different cultures. She has used these lessons to serve Brooklyn’s diverse population as both one of the Borough’s most accomplished prosecutors and as a nationally renowned public policy and legal expert.

Ama received her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College before graduating from Georgetown University Law School. From there, instead of going into private practice, she chose to pursue her dedication to public service by joining the Kings County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant DA. She stayed for more than two decades, making history as a Prosecutor and Administrator.

Ama rose quickly through the ranks of the office, starting in the Special Victims Bureau, where she prosecuted domestic violence abusers and perpetrators of sex crimes. She then became a senior felony trial attorney in the Homicide Bureau before being elevated to Deputy Bureau Chief of the office’s Trial Division. Finally, she was named Chief of the Crimes Against Children Bureau – a unit which she created and then ran for 13 years – and Executive Assistant District Attorney.

When Ama Dwimoh founded the Crimes Against Children Bureau, it was the only specialized bureau of its kind in New York, dedicated exclusively to investigating and prosecuting cases of child homicides and child cruelty. Her work with the unit led to major changes in public policy and New York City law, including major reforms at the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) agency.

The Bureau also reached beyond the District Attorney’s office to forge community partnerships in order to prevent child abuse and create education programs across Brooklyn. These innovative, progressive programs included the Baby Safe Haven Program, Brooklyn Child Watch, Prosecutors Responding to Child Abuse (C.P.R.) and Project S.A.F.E.

As Chief of the Bureau, Ama fought and won some of the most notorious child abuse cases in New York and the nation, including the case of seven-year-old Nixmary Brown. Nixmary was tortured, molested, beaten, and murdered by her stepfather and biological mother. Ama secured the convictions of both: 29 years for the stepfather and 43 years for the mother.

Following these successes and others, Ama left the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and joined the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, where she works today as special counsel to Borough President Eric Adams. As part of his executive policy team, she continues to work on a wide range of legal and social justice issues that impact the day-to-day lives of Brooklyn residents.

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African Officials Seek Tougher Penalties Against Fake Drug Imports time for Cameroon to join African states to start considering the transportation and commercialization of bogus drugs as a major crime, not a simple offense punishable by fines and seizure of the illicit goods. He says the number of people who die because of such drugs makes them consider it another form of homicide, which the international community should help Africa tackle.

VOA NEWS – Lawyers from around Africa gathered in Cameroon this week to call for tougher legislation against counterfeit medicine.

Sixty tons of counterfeit medicine was burned after being seized by customs officials in Cameroon, who say the stockpile had an estimated value of $80,000.

Customs official Marcel Kamgaing said the imitation medicine was being used to treat everything from diabetes and hypertension to cancer and erectile dysfunction. He said the forged drugs were destined for sale at shops and roadside pharmacies.

He says illicit drugs are very dangerous to the health of consumers and may even kill due to poor packaging and preservation. He says importers should be informed that Cameroon’s customs laws give them the authority to destroy all fake drugs.

Counterfeit drugs conference

The burning was scheduled to coincide with an international conference this week in Yaounde on the problem of phony drugs in Africa.

Jackson Ngnie Kamga, president of the Cameroon Bar Association, says the current penalties are not enough of a deterrent. He said traffickers should face jail time.

He says because of its deadly consequences, it is high

july 2017

FIFA Freezes Sudan's Membership

The World Health Organization says falsified medical products may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient or the wrong amount of the correct active ingredient. The WHO says about 100,000 deaths-ayear in Africa are linked to counterfeit drugs.

Asian source

Issouf Baadhio, an attorney from Burkina Faso, represented the International Association of Lawyers as its vice president.

He said the counterfeit drugs are primarily manufactured in Asia, especially in China, and so African countries need to focus on stopping importation.

He says besides the fact that this trade is illegal, importing fake drugs has disastrous economic consequences and as such civil society organizations and professional groups like the International Association of Lawyers should join states and make sure that markets are protected and custom controls are set up at entrances to all states to detect and stop the sale of all dangerous drugs.

Identifying counterfeit medicines can be difficult. The WHO urges officials and consumers to look for signs like misspelled words on the packaging and to check that the manufacture and expiration dates inside and outside packaging match.

Khartoum — The World football governing body, The FIFA, Thursday night announced the freezing of the activity of the Sudanese Football Association (SFA) after the country's legal authorities failed to compel a rival group to the SFA sitting executive committee to evacuate the Federation's premises it earlier occupied upon a ruling by the Justice Ministry.

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sitting executives of the SFA, led by Dr. Mu'tasim Ja'afar and a contesting group, led by Army Lt. General Abderahman Sirralkhatim, a former defense minister, on electing a new executive.

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An SFA general assembly ruled in the latter's favor, asking for the elections to be held immediately. But the incumbents argued that the elections should be deferred until after the SFA law is In a letter to the SFA the FIFA said it took reformed as the FIFA had advised. Here note that the SFA premises was still under the General's group insisted upon the occupation by the said group and said that it elections. The SFA elections committee was shelving the Sudan FIFA membership chairman distanced himself from the until this group evacuates the premises and allows the incumbent executive committee to affair. Other members of the elections committee went ahead with the general dispense its duties.

Assembly that gave a sweeping victory The FIFA has reportedly notified the to the Siralkatim group. The incumbent Confederation of African Football (CAF) of its decision that, accordingly, froze the activi- executive committee had boycotted the ty of Sudan and annulled scheduled matches process. for Friday and Saturday in the CAF Champions League and the Confederation The SFA incumbents considered the Cup contests. According to the decision the elections null and void, refused a hanmatches of the Merrikh and al-Hilal clubs dover and reported the matter to the against the champions of Tunisia and Mozambique (respectively) in the champion's FIFA. league were declared cancelled. Hilal alThe elected group first tried to take the Obied, which was scheduled to clash FC SFA premises by force but failed to do Zisco of Zambia in Lusaka on Saturday, was so.

They then filed a complaint with the also reportedly notified that that match was Ministry of Justice that ruled in their cancelled. favor, ordering the SFA premises to be evacuated from the incumbents and The Sudanese Minister of Youth and Sports allowed the new executives to get in. last week announced that the contending groups for the SFA leadership had reached a Before the elections, the incumbents had compromise agreement and that the group that occupied the SFA premises had agreed to petitioned with the FIFA for an election delay until the SFA law is reformed, a evacuate it. He said the two groups had petition the FIFA had accepted. They agreed to jointly run the SFA activity until a also cited wide scale government internew election is held on October 30, as the ference in the election process, in particFIFA had earlier ruled. ular from the state security. They reportedly supplied the FIFA with a video in But member of the contending group Saif Eddin al-Kamleen Thursday argued that they which one of the voters allegedly confessed that he was coerced by the securiwould not leave the SFA premises until they ty to vote for the Siralkhatim group. receive a ruling from the Justice Ministry annulling its previous decision, a matter that did not happen.

The dispute had erupted in April between the

Who Are You?

work with you, because they identify with you, that they are one with you. But beware, because you will certainly be intentionally and unintentionally placed in unfortunate positions simply because of how others perceive you, how they identify you. Out of envy and/or jealousy, some will not like you regardless of how genuine you are. They will look down at you without appreciation for who you are and what you do. They will position you as an enemy to obstruct and to take down. When you find yourself in such situations, remember your identity; remember your God. Recall for example Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel. Recall how his own flesh and blood envied him and how they were painfully jealous and full of malice towards him. Joseph was young, but favored by Jacob and God. He was favored by Jacob because His father’s true and only love was Rachel, his mother.

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah This was no fault of Joseph. You see, it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you have not done to deserve or not The young impassioned Christian was handsome and talented. He joined a new assembly and having a willing spirit, deserve something, the fact is that you can be born to be favored quickly worked his way up into the leadership of the church. and just out of that favor, you will be blessed. T.D. Jakes preached a sermon titled “Favor Ain’t Fair,” and he was quite He was trust-worthy, he availed himself and he was a hard right. What had Joseph done as a child to be favored by God, worker. He loved God and performed his duties beyond that God should give him such visions of grandeur? But Joseph expectation. Some eyes noticed and came to rest on him, was favored and Joseph also had a good heart, perhaps a heart unkindly. They were conspiring and lying eyes, jealous of his life, his reputation, his talent, his position and his ascent. that was better than all his brothers’ and that is possibly why the They did all they could to frustrate him, to provoke him and Lord chose him to be blessed and be raised among his brethren and become their physical emancipator. to trip him to fall. Surely, you would want to know if his But because Joseph was perceived and/or identified in a way self-appointed enemies were successful. However, the which was a threat to his brothers, they sought to get rid of him important question here is will your detractors, your selfappointed enemies, be successful when they come after you? and even to kill him (Genesis 37). Yet as a slave and an eventual prisoner, he thrived and survived, because he identified with a As long as you know who you are and are resilient in your God who was determined to bless him despite others’ perception conviction of who you are in the Lord, you will rise while of him, regardless of how they tried to ruin him. Sometimes, as a those who chase after you to harm you will fall (See Psalm child of God, your opposition will come from the very ones you 35 and 91). love, those you expect to love you and have your back. They are We sing a simple chorus at my church and it goes like family members, friends and even church members. But unfortuthis: “What is your identity? I am a child of God. I know nately, they somehow despise the gift of your life, the movements who I am; I know who I am. What is your identity? I am a of your life/ your trajectory, the blessings upon your life and have child of God.” When I sing the song, I like to change the made you a target to bring down. Don’t fear and do not comprosecond I know who I am to I know “whose” I am, because that makes a world of difference to me. But the heart of the mise yourself. Remember your identity as a child of God; continue in your work and stay in prayer. Your God will always song is asking “do you know who you are, because I know defend and protect you and still use you to accomplish what He who I am.” This song is about how you see yourself, how you align yourself with God, how certain you are about your has destined for you, to the shame of you detractors and your enemies. relationship and commitment to God, because your identity Look at Joseph’s life and learn. Despite what his own family with your God is intertwined. When I sing it, I joyfully sing members did to him motivated by hostility, selling him to slave it as an affirmation, as a song of assurance, a song of celetraders and faking his death with trumped up bloody proof and all bration.

The reality of being a child of God is a matter of spiritual to deceive his father, God still raised Joseph in a powerful kingdom and these same brothers came to bow at his feet. truth and not an opinion. Just because you think you are or might be a child of God does not make you one. What in fact Nevertheless, Joseph did not harbor any ill will or gloat at his determines with certainty that you are a child of God is your shamed and regretful brothers (Genesis chap. 45). He simply accepting and/or acknowledging that Christ is God incarnate took the high road and received them, giving all the credit to his God. Brothers and sisters, let’s be encouraged by Joseph’s story and that you have taken Him as your Savior and therefore, you live to serve and please Him (John 3:16/ Romans 10:9). and let us take a lesson from his life and know how to behave with dignity, resolve and faith that our God will see to it that we Being a child of God requires that you not only accept Him as He says He is, but also allowing Him to run your life, that do not become casualties when we don’t look to avenge ourselves of our enemies and make it a personal warfare. Though we is having Him become Lord of your life. So according to might be often tempted to fight the individuals on a physical these Biblical requirements, are you a child of God? If you level, let us refrain from pleasing the flesh and put our trust in are, then we proceed further and ask that aside from your identifying with Christ, do you know how God identifies you God. Let us rather do our battles on our knees, in prayer.

Aside from Joseph, we have the example of Daniel, a captive and how He perceives you? Does God see you as the brother mentioned above? Does He know you as a genuine, faithful who rises in the kingdom of Babylon, much to the jealousy and detestation of some natural citizens of that very country. These and contributive member of His kingdom? Does He know you as one who has rendered his life as a sacrifice unto Him bitter ones came against him with conspiracies, but once again, because he identified with God, because he continued to pray and and as a result, will He with no doubt stand beside you, because he was the apple of God’s eye, Daniel’s enemies fell and defending and protecting you as He did His servants Moses were all put to death (Daniel chap. 6). Just as He was for Daniel, and Daniel? Are you the apple of His eye? (Zechariah 2:8/ God will be your avenger in all things. Additionally, let’s not forPsalm 17:8) get Moses, the meekest man ever, a man who sacrificed his quiet As a child of God, while you are committed to the life with his wife and in-laws only to heed the direction of God things of God, like the individuals mentioned above, and and to make a forty-year journey plagued with near impossible allow Him to utilize your strengths and talents, some will hardships, sicknesses and deaths, only to be criticized by his own come to love and respect you. They will support you and

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brother Aaron and sister Miriam and to be resented by the very people who he was leading to the promised land.

But Moses was forgiving, and begged for them not to be punished by God for speaking ill of him in their attempt to compromise and/or discredit his leadership and ministry (Numbers chap. 12). He stood in the gap for the Israelites when they disobeyed God and God was with him. But when Moses did act on his anger and struck the rock in direct disobedience to God’s instructions, he was punished severely (Numbers chap. 20). So let us also note with Moses’ experience that despite all the work we might do for the kingdom, a onetime carnal response to our enemies can cost us dearly. Let us be careful to yield to God always and keep in mind that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Finally, let’s also take Job as an example from the Bible. Job was righteous according to God Himself. He served God, he loved God and he hated evil. Job was a child of God and he clearly and proudly identified with Him. Because of the type of person and the pure heart he had, Job was blessed immensely by God. He was rich with children, friends, and filthy rich with resources. He was the man who one would say sat on the hill, the richest in his society. Yet, despite his faithfulness and love of God, envy and jealousy were directed at him. Sometimes when you are blessed and that blessing is inconceivable to another, jealousies arise, resentment arises, hatefulness and then conspiracies arise. In this case, Satan himself wanted to topple Job, but he could not do it. He wanted to touch his life with ruin, but he couldn’t because God had built a spiritual protective hedge around Job. So being shut out of Job’s life, by a hedge, he begins to lie about Job, questioning his integrity, love and commitment to God. He begins to challenge Job’s identity (Job chap. 1).

If you ever find yourself in a situation where your identity and motive as a child of God is questioned undeservedly, don’t be offended. If you are ever in a position where your integrity is put to question or even trampled upon, take heart and know that it is a spiritual battle and not a physical one, for Satan will use not only his demonic agents, but humans as well to tempt and provoke you.

Take heart and know who you are and whose you are.

When God defended Job and waged with Satan that Job will remain faithful to Him and not curse Him, Job proved God right. While God allowed the enemy to do his worst, by causing Job to lose all his property, the lives of his children, a happy marriage and the trust of his friends, Satan still lost, because Job did not curse God nor stop worshipping Him. And for that, Job was blessed and rewarded in the latter part of his life more than he had been in the former (Job chap. 42).

No one wants to go through what Job did. It is painful and devastating, but here again, it demonstrates that when one identifies themselves with God and that person is genuine, it is likely that that person will become a target, but know that if you are battled, your Lord will be with you. So are you going to be true to your identity and continue to live and produce as a child of God, despite whatever enemies set you in their sights as a target? If you know who you are and whose you are, then be assured that you will ascend and they will undoubtedly fall.

Dr. Miriam Gyimah is available for speaking engagements. You may contact her at newepistlespress@outlook.com

South African Airways Receives “Best Airline Staff In Africa” At The 2017 World Airline Awards

“We are extremely proud that SAA has been recognized by global air travelers and Skytrax™ to receive this award,” said Todd Neuman, executive vice president-the Americas for South African Airways. “This is a true testament to the commitment and dedication of SAA employees throughout the world to ensure our customers enjoy a world-class experience and warm African hospitality.”

The Skytrax™ “Best Airline Staff in Africa” award takes its place among a host of other honorable recognitions which SAA has recently received including, “Best Airline in Africa” & “Best Business Class to Africa” by leading travel publications in North America, further solidifying SAA’s position as Africa’s most awarded airline.

The airline also recognized with Skytrax™ 4-Star quality rating for 15th consecutive year Fort Lauderdale, FL (Jun. 21, 2017) – South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa, was honored with the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” award at the 2017 World Airline Awards held at the Paris Air Show by British aviation experts Skytrax™. This award signifies that South African Airways has excelled in achieving a high product standard across all travel categories, including staff service delivery in both the onboard and airport environment. Earlier this year, Skytrax™, once again, awarded SAA with the 4-Star

rating for the 15th year consecutive year, following detailed service audits of SAA Premium Business and Economy Class product and service across all customer-facing categories.

Skytrax™ is known worldwide as the leading, independent research authority on airline quality and service, and the World Airline Awards are often referred to as the “the Oscars of the airline industry.” The awards are based on a consumer satisfaction survey conducted each year by Skytrax™, giving travelers an opportunity to rate their experiences in the air and on the ground with over 200 airlines worldwide and ultimately serve as a global benchmark of airline excellence.

About South African Airways South African Airways (SAA), South Africa’s national flag carrier and the continent’s most awarded airline, serves over 75 destinations worldwide in partnership with SA Express, Airlink, and its low-cost carrier Mango. In North America, SAA operates daily nonstop flights from New York-JFK and direct flights from Washington D.C.-IAD (via Accra, Ghana and Dakar, Senegal) to Johannesburg. SAA has partnerships with United Airlines, Air Canada and JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and Virgin America, which offer convenient connections from more than 100 cities in the U.S. and Canada to SAA’s flights. SAA is a Star Alliance member and the recipient of the Skytrax 4-Star rating for 15 consecutive years.

South Afircan Airways’ New State of-The-Art Airbus A330-300 Operating Daily On Washington, DC Route

Aircraft features new luxurious Premium Business Class product with enhanced privacy and direct aisle access at every seat Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 28, 2017) - South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline has introduced the new Airbus A330-300 on the Washington DC-Dulles to Accra, Ghana route. This service compliments the existing Washington DC-Dulles to Dakar, Senegal route operated by the A330-300.

The interior design of SAA’s A330-300s provide a comfortable environment for long-haul travel with warm, neutral colors, textures and finishes that are inspired by the airline’s African culture and heritage. In SAA’s seating configuration, the aircraft has the capacity for a total of 249 passengers, with 46 seats in Premium Business Class and 203 seats in Economy Class.

“We are thrilled to have our newest aircraft operating daily on the Washington Dulles route,” said Todd Neuman, executive vice president, the Americas for South African Airways. “With a new and innovative Premium Business Class product and, a spacious and enhanced Economy Class cabin, SAA continues to provide world-class service to our customers both in the air and on the ground.”

Just in time for one of our busiest travel seasons, many travellers can take advantage of the Step-up program to experience SAA’s new Premium Business Class product. The Premium Business Class offers 180° flat-bed and direct aisle access for passenger convenience, gourmet meals, award-winning South African wine, and on-demand entertainment system, noise cancelling headphones and power / USB ports at every seat along with increased privacy.

Also available for our customers in Economy Class is a spacious cabin with newly designed slim-line seats, offering generous legroom and extra personal space. Each seat is well equipped with access to PC power port/ USB port and an on-demand entertainment system featuring a 10” touch screen for viewing, movies, television shows, interactive games or audio programming with an array of over 170 music channels. SAA also provides a selection of freshly prepared meals, coupled with complimentary South African wines and bar service.

For SAA reservations and flight information, customers, should visit www.flysaa.com, call SAA Reservations at 1-(800) 722-9675 or contact their professional travel consultant.

Donald Trump’s lack of interest in Africa

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Washington. “It seems like the policy of the administration is to look inwards, to put America first and do less business with other people.”

The 2017 US-Africa Business Summit held 13-16 June in Washington, DC, offered one of the first opportunities for the US and Africa’s private sector to engage with the Trump Administration.

Potential trade partner

www.dw.com – In his first half year in office, the US president has spoken very little about Africa, except in the context of a budget proposal that demands deep cuts to the US development aid in Africa.

A few weeks after he came into office, the US President Donald Trump made two phone calls to African leaders: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and South African President Jacob Zuma, assuring them that he was willing to strengthen bilateral relations with the two African powerhouses.

In March, he made another phone call, this time to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. But since then, nothing much has moved in US policy towards Africa.

In fact, it seems that Africa is off the agenda in Washington as the White House is preoccupied with domestic scandals, and topics like immigration, terrorism, and countries like Iran and North Korea.

One major problem is that even after six months in power, Trump still hasn’t filled some important posts dealing with Africa at the State Department, which deals with US’ foreign policy. Bronwyn Bruton, Deputy Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, said that the Africa policy is not made at senior levels.

“Right now, there is an acting assistant director. But if you are not appointed, you’re not empowered,” Bruton said. “So essentially, Africa policy is on hold,” she added.

Participants at the summit pointed out that they expect a different attitude from their American counterparts. “We need the US to reconsider the way they are dealing with Africa. We don’t need aid and some subsidies,” Abdu Suleye Diop, who represented Morocco’s business community at the summit, said.

Although not all expectations of African business leaders are likely to be fulfilled – the fact that the US-African business summit went ahead and was even attended by US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, was seen by many participants as a good sign.

After all, the summit had originally been initiated by Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, and Donald Trump has wasted no time in many other areas to reverse Obama’s policies as much as he can.

Trade could, in fact, be one of the areas where the new US government will not only continue policies of the Obama administration but start some new initiatives in the near future. Brian Neubert, the Director of the US State Department’s Regional Hub in Johannesburg said there are trade opportunities with many African markets since Africa is already investing in its infrastructure. “There are opportunities for American companies with technology and products and services. And then, of course, many African countries produce products for the US market,” Neubert said.

Free hand for US generals

The one area, however, where the United States is almost certain to step up its engagement in Africa is the military, particularly fighting terrorist groups – one of the central Opportunity for African dictators campaign promises of Donald Trump during last year’s Trump’s approach towards foreign policy, in general, doesn’t put a elections. lot of emphasis on building strategic alliances based on shared valEven under Obama, the US extended its network of miliues, or long-term development to improve economic conditions tary bases throughout the continent to gather intelligence and good governance. Instead, he favors a transactional approach, and carry out drone strikes. President Trump is giving his looking for short-term gains through bilateral deals. Bruton thinks military a free hand to go even further, said Katie this could be good news for dictators and authoritarian regimes Zimmerman of the conservative think tank, ‘American throughout Africa, and bad news for human rights activists.

Enterprise Institute.’ “The most significant to date has been with regard to Somalia which came through on March 17, Similarly, the Obama administration marginalized some governwhere US forces now have the ability to conduct offensive ments like Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Eritrea – countries that have had extensive criticism leveled against them for their human rights attacks against al-Shabab in protection of our partners on record. “Countries like these are full of anticipation and happiness the ground,” Zimmerman said.

that there is a president who doesn’t care very much about human rights and is willing to be fully transactional in his relationship with other governments,” Bruton said.

Many observers among the United States diplomatic corps and foreign policy establishment fear that a neglect of long-term alliances and regional cooperation could lead to a political and economic vacuum in Africa – a gap other countries such as China, India or Brazil are only too eager to fill. “There’s a contest for resources from Africa. And China is way ahead, and doing a lot more for Africa and a lot more in Africa,” Ayodele Kusamotu, a Nigerian lawyer said at a US-African Business Summit in

She warned though that focusing exclusively on military solutions will not be enough to deal with the transnational threat terrorism poses to the United States and her allies in Africa. Military might, economic development, and good governance have to go hand in hand to maintain and improve stability. It might not be a bad thing that Donald Trump has not had the time to put his mark on America’s Africa policy yet, so at least some continuity is preserved at least for the time being.

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Ghana Raps Donald Trump To Allow Deportees Return Home With Belongings

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Undocumented Ghanaians living in the United States of America (USA) can hope for a sign of relief following a step by the Government of Ghana to negotiate with the President Donald J. Trump administration to allow the rest of deportees take their belongings along with them when they are deported.

The diplomatic talk, if successful, will ensure that deportees do not come home with nothing except what they wear when arrested.

Speaking exclusively in an interview with the DAILY HERITAGE, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Ghana as a sovereign state could not make any input to stop the American government from deporting undocumented Ghanaians as the action is backed by the legal requirements of the US.

She said unless President Trump changes his stands on issues of deportation, Ghanaians could only hope and pray that they are not arrested in the US and deported.

The Minister said the attempt by the government to hold discussions with the US government is to ensure that deportees could have something to begin life with when they come home.

The Foreign Minister disclosed this to the paper after attending the 2017 Diaspora Homecoming Summit held in Accra on Friday, July 7, 2017.

The issue of deportation of undocumented immigrants was a key campaign message of then candidate Trump, who led the Republican Party in the 2016 US elections.

In June this year, 75 Ghanaian immigrants who had lived in the USA for a number of years without being documented were deported.

They arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra in handcuffs.

They had applied for asylum in the USA but their applications were rejected and were subsequently deported.

In April this year, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Robert P. Jackson, said about 7,000 Ghanaians living illegally in the US were being processed for deportation.

“In fact, about 7,000 of them are currently at different stages of the deportation process. And we are not apologetic about that,” Mr Jackson told journalists in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Source: Daily Heritage

Six African Players Were Drafted Into the NBA

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Frank Ntilikina

The point guard, born in Strasbourg, France to Rwandan parents, was drafted by the Knicks and was the 2017 eighth overall pick

DIASPORA—The 2017 NBA draft took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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Miss Sierra Leone New York Pageant A Big Hit At Bronx Museum

Wesley Iwundu

The Nigerian-American small forward from Kansas State was the 33rd overall pick, and will join the Orlando Magic.

Standout players from college basketball teams and international divisions—60 in total—were given the opportunity to join the pros in hopes of becoming future NBA stars.

Fenellah-Kargbo-a-resident-of-Staten-Island-New-York-representing-Miss-Bo-was-crowned-the-new-Miss Sierra Leone New York After a five year hiatus due in part to an interruption by the Ebola epidemic, the 3rd Annual Sierra Leone New York pageant returned to the Bronx Museum Sunday as a big hit.

For most of the 200 participants who patronized and celebrated the event, the celebration was more so for the revival of a platform that showcases Sierra Leone culture and history than the pageant itself.

A number of African athletes were present for the affair and a total of six players—five from Nigeria and one from Rwanda—will be added to team rosters this upcoming season.

See all of the African players picked during this year’s NBA draft below. Congrats to them all!

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Spearheaded by the Union of Sierra Leonean Organizations in New York, the pageant brought together participants from Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania as well as different Sierra Leonean professional organizations and social clubs to what organizers say is to reconnect them to their roots

Semi Ojeleye

Ojeleye hails from Southern Methodist University and was the 37th overall pick last night. The Nigerian-American power forward was one of three of the Boston Celtic’s second round picks.

Wesley Iwundu

The Nigerian-American small forward from Kansas State was the 33rd overall pick, and will join the Orlando Magic.

Edrice “Bam” Adebayo

The 19-year-old, Nigerian-American power forward was the 14th overall draft pick. He joins the Miami Heat after playing just one season of college basketball at the University of Kentucky.

Ike Anigbogu

The Indiana Pacers drafted the Nigerian-American University of California, Los Angeles freshman in the second round. He was the 47th overall pick.

Fenellah Kargbo, a resident of Staten Island, New York representing Miss Bo was crowned the new Miss Sierra Leone New York 2017 after beating four contestants including Hawa Conteh, Miss Bombali – 1st Runner-up, Colphine Tucker, Miss Bonthe – 2nd Runner-up, Comfort Sambolah, Miss Freetown and Margaret Saccoh, Miss Koinadugu.

Tiah Knox, the founder of Sierra Leone Fashion & Art Council also Sierra fashion week, UN youth ambassador, community advocate and one of four pageant judges says the pageant itself was a “restoration event” ensuring that the pageant was restored again post Ebola, giving the young contestants an opportunity to represent their Country in the Diaspora.

“As part of the judging panel, our deliberation was based on variety of categories to ensure the right girl earns her win.

Fenella Kargbo, (Winner) was very unique in all her appearances, from ‘Flag parade’ to ‘Africana Interview’ to ‘swimwear’ to the ‘evening gown’ and consistently wow us the judges,” Ms Knox said.

According to Zainabou Sesay-Harrell, the event’s originator to be eligible to contest in the pageant you must be a woman between the ages of 18 – 26 years old, must be single with no children, law abiding, speak English, currently enrolled in a two or four year college or university, residing in the USA either in the State of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts or Pennsylvania. And most of all, contestants must be a descendant of a Sierra Leonean mother, father, grandparents or born in Sierra Leone

By Dennis Kabatto Sierraexpressmedia.com

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An Ethiopian-American Silicon Valley Star Just Raised 1.5 Million In Seed Funding.

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to its acquisition late last year of the app discovery engine Product Hunt.

Still, do a quick scan for companies’ tech stacks and you quickly discern the largely unaddressed opportunity that Stackshare is chasing. Indeed, Beshawred says the idea came to him when, after leaving Accenture, he joined a Y Combinator-backed startup, Cube, to work on product design.

As is the case at plenty of scrappy startups, Cube’s engineering team found themselves using particular technologies — Microsoft’s Azure, AWS, Heroku — based on free credits. “I thought, ‘This is bad,’” says Beshawred. In response, he created a static directory that he describes as “just a WordPress site,” he launched it on Hacker News, and it attracted attention, including from Grandy.

“People thought it was like a candy store for developers,” says Beshawred.

On Stackshare, Airbnb lists over 50 services in its “stack,” Slack lists 24, and Spotify lists more than 31; these stacks are collections of different pieces of software that each company is using to run their operations, and range from infrastructure tools to communications tools to container tools to email services.

Why are companies beginning to share the specific mix of apps that’s enabling their businesses to grow? Because they know it’s the missing piece of the puzzle for developers, many of whom struggle to learn which tools certain companies use and why, says Stackshare founder and CEO Yonas Beshawred.

In fact, Stackshare is quietly becoming a go-to platform for numerous players in the startup ecosystem for a few reasons, Beshawred argues.

The benefits are clearest for developers. “If you’re trying to build a new on-demand service,” he notes, “you can come to Stackshare and see all the tools that Instacart uses.”

Stackshare also benefits companies; when big or small startups volunteer what tools they’re using, they have a better shot at attracting developers who are well-versed in those very same technologies.

Meanwhile, Stackshare is attracting the attention of SaaS vendors, a small but growing number of which are beginning

to sponsor sections of the platform and that now have a new place for their communities to evangelize their products.

Certainly, something seems to be clicking. Stackshare, founded in San Francisco in 2014, currently features the “verified” tech stacks of 7,000 companies. More, it claims that more than 150,000 developers are now using the service, where they not only see which companies are using what but they’re also invited to (and do) comment on the tools, helping their peers understand what they should be using and avoiding.

Investors like it, too. At least, today, Stackshare is announcing that it had raised $1.5 million in seed funding late last year, led

by Cervin Ventures. Other participants include Precursor Ventures, Square exec Gokul Rajaman, and former VMWare and Facebook exec turned VC Jocelyn Goldfein. The round follows $300,000 in earlier seed funding from 500 Startups; MicroVentures; Airbnb’s first employee, Nick Grandy; Heroku’s former engineering manager Glenn Gillen, and others.

Beshawred — an Ethiopian-American from Maryland and former Accenture analyst — has some competition, as you might guess, including another young startup, TechStacks.

Developers can also drill into some of the tech used by startups on the popular AngelList platform, which seems well-positioned to begin featuring even more of this information, thanks

Today, Stackshare is starting to feel more like a full-fledged marketplace, thanks in part to the burgeoning network effects it’s beginning to enjoy. Word of mouth is helping. So are the startup’s community-building efforts, which including sitting down with companies and profiling how they built their tech stacks. The venture-backed real estate agency Opendoor, for example, recently explained to Stackshare users how it scaled its infrastructure.

If Beshawred has his way, Stackshare will grow beyond its growing community of developers and help everyone from marketers to teachers understand which tools they should be using and why. He’s not in a rush, he says. At the same time, he notes that “software really is eating the world,” echoing the famous (and now six-year-old) prediction of investor Marc Andreessen.

Only time will answer whether Stackshare can capture the growing number of professionals whose work is being impacted by that ubertrend. In the meantime, the five-person company is chugging along. It says it will begin raising its Series A round this year. source: Techcrunch

https://ethiopianhub.com/

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Ghanaian chef to cook ‘waakye’ for Queen Elizabeth

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Howard University Partners With Google To Raise Percentage Of Black Computer Scientist And Engineers

Elijah Amoo Addo receiving his award from the Queen Ghanaian chef, Chef Elijah Amoo Addo has accepted a request by Queen Elizabeth to cook for her.

Elijah Amoo Addo, a food stylist, was in the UK to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Elijah Amoo Addo, a food stylist, was in the UK to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award for his contribution to community development in Ghana.

“The most fascinating of it all is having to meet the Queen and for the Queen to ask me if I’ll love to cook for her which obviously I said yes. I’m going to cook one of our favourite dishes in Ghana, Waakye,” he said in an interview after receiving the award.

Elijah was recognized at the event in Buckingham Palace last week for his Food For All Program which is built on advocacy against food wastage.

Through the program, he scouts for leftover foods from restaurants and food vendors to feed mentally challenged persons, and the needy.

Elijah is among three Ghanaians who received the award among 60 young leaders in the Commonwealth.

The other two are Winnifred Selby who provides bamboo bicycles and sanitary pads for deprived school pupils in the country and Efua Asibon.

The recipients of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award spent some days receiving mentoring and training from the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education in the UK.

Oral Ofori (left) with Dr. Anthony Wutoh

Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh; Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Howard University tells Oral Ofori, Founder of TheAfricanDream.net that a new initiative called Howard West (HW) will allow students of the university to study at the headquarters of technology giant Google in mid-2017.

Howard opened a mini-campus at Google to bring more AfricanAmerican computer-science students into the technology industry by sending some 25 junior and senior computer-science majors to Google for three months to study at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California.

According to Dr. Wutoh, students in the HW project will learn from employees of Google and Howard faculty as part of the university’s attempts to helping establish these students in an industry where black engineers are very few in America.

Research reveals that as at early 2017 only 1%, for example, of the technical engineering staff working at Google were blacks.

TheAfricanDream.net discovered that participants of the HW project will be awarded full scholarships while they pursue the program with the hope of increasing that 1% statistic at Google and in all of the US.

This is a great opportunity for Howard to, “partner with a high-tech company that has a global brand like Google to give our students the opportunity to be integrated into their program and their facilities and help make an impact in terms of increasing diversity in information technology” — Dr. Wutoh.

Dr. Wutoh was appointed to his current post at Howard on June 22, 2015, he is originally from Ghana in West Africa and lives with his wife and children in Maryland, USA.

Watch Dr. Wutoh talk about the HW project to Mr. Ofori in this video interview conducted early of July 2017: https://youtu.be/bVR0b4dxtjA

Source: TheAfricanDream.net

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3 Ghanaians Re-Elected To British Parliament

Ghanaians Adam Afriyie, Sam Philip Gyimah, and Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng have been re-elected to the British Parliament in the just-concluded U.K. elections.

The trio are children of Ghanaian migrants and A-list members of the British Prime Minister’s Conservative party, which lost the majority of the seats to the main opposition,Labour Party, resulting in a hung parliament.

The sloppy election was called by British Prime MinisterTheresa May in an attempt to increase her majority seats in parliament in readiness for Brexit negotiations, but her plan backfired after she lost 12 seats to the opposition Afriyie, 51, was born in Wimbledon, London, to a Ghanaian Father and an English Mother. He has been the Member of Parliament for Windsor since May 2005 then re-elected in 2010 and 2015, consecutively.

In Parliament, Afriyie was a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee from 2005 until July 2007, when it was abolished. He was then appointed to the Children, Schools, and Families Select Committee, where he still serves.

Reacting to his re-election, Afriyie tweeted:

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Sam Philip Gyimah, a Ghanaian-British Member of Parliament. Photo credit: The Independent

Gyimah was born in 1976 in Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, southern England, to Ghanaian parents and has been the Member of Parliament for East Survey since 2010.

He has been serving as parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister and government whip since 2010.

Once again my huge thanks to my agent, campaign team, volunteers & activists.

You made the difference & I’ll never forget it. See you soon.

— Adam Afriyie (@AdamAfriyie) June 11, 2017

Afriyie has also been the president of the Conservative Technology Forum and the chairman of Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology since 2010.

Sam Gyimah MP (@SamGyimah) June 9, 2017

In 2014, Gyimah was appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state for Childcare and Education as well as parliamentary under-secretary of state with a particular focus on the constitution.

Kwasi Alfred Addo Kwarteng, a Ghanaian-British parliamentarian. Photo credit: Pulse Kwarteng was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Spelthrorne in Surrey, southeastern England, in 2010 and then re-elected in 2015 and 2017, consecutively.

He was born in 1975 in London to Ghanaian parents who migrated to the U.K. as students in the 1960s. Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Kwarteng worked as a financial analyst.

Over the weekend, he thanked his supporters:

Honoured to be re-elected as MP for Spelthorne. I would like to thank everyone who made this happen. https://t.co/RjvRy47776

— Kwasi Kwarteng MP (@KwasiKwarteng) June 9, 2017

He has also written a book entitled “Ghosts of Empire,” which discusses the legacy of the British Empire.

http://africanleadership.co.uk

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Ghanaian undergraduate student tragically drowns in Colorado

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Kenyan Filmmaker, Judy Kibinge, Joins Oscars Academy

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about five minutes. Friends who witnessed the incident jumped in to attempt to rescue Manu but were unable to find him.

Divers recovered Manu’s body from approximately 30 feet of water around 8:20 p.m.

An autopsy was scheduled for the next day in Grand Junction.

Staff Writer, Colorado – Authorities have identified a 32-year-old man who was drowned in Kenney Reservoir in Rio Blanco County, Colorado on June 21 as a petroleum engineering student at Colorado School of Mines. , Francis was swimming in the Kenney Reservoir during a field session in Rangely.

The body of Francis Manu was recovered late that night after a day swimming with friends.

At about 5 p.m., a friend flagged down a Rio Blanco County sheriff’s deputy, saying Manu had slid into the water off the cliffs and had not resurfaced.

The Petroleum Engineering Field Session that Manu was attending at the time of the incident was cut short, according to the school.

He was a final year student pursuing BSc in Petroleum Engineering. Francis planned to graduate in December this year.

The School in face book post said “As many of you already know, Field Session C ended in tragedy with the accidental drowning of student Francis Manu.

We are all deeply saddened by this loss and our support goes out to his family and loved ones.

The PE Department is holding an informal Remembrance and Support Session on Tuesday, June 27th from 4-5 pm in the Marquez Atrium. This is an opportunity to gather, connect and remember.

Counselors will also be present if you need support or would like to learn more information about the services they provide for the students of CSM.”

The family that lives in Atlanta is planning the final funeral rites of which the date will be announce later.

US-based Kenyan filmmaker Judy Kibinge has achieved a major feat in Hollywood after receiving invitation to join the Oscars Academy, the world’s most esteemed film institution.

The Oscars Academy membership is usually earned by invitation only and currently, it has 7,000 members across the world. Kibinge will be among the 774 new members to enroll to the academy, joining others from 57 countries worldwide.

As a member, Kibinge will be among those who will be deciding which movies and individuals win Oscar awards.

Kibinge doubles up as a film writer and director and is credited for working on movies such as Dangerous Affair, Project Daddy, Something Necessary and documentaries such

A witness said Manu was underwater for

as Wagalla – The Story of a Massacre and Headlines in History.

The US-based film director is also the founder of DocuBox, a documentary film fund for African filmmakers that supports them in producing and distributing their film.

Another Kenyan US-based actress, Lupita Nyong’o made history in 2012 after becoming the first Kenyan to win an Oscar award.

Lupita received the coveted award for best supporting character in the famous film, 12 years a slave.

Source: Oral Ofori / TheAfricanDream.com

Ghanaian appointed to the Harris County, Texas International Advisory Council Council is to advice the County Judge and the Commissioners Court on economic development opportunities involving foreign countries and businesses.

Harris County is the largest county in terms of population - over four million and with enormous resources in the State of Texas and the fourth largest county in the United States.

County Judge Ed Emmett has appointed Kwame B. Acheampong to the newly created Harris County International Advisory Council.

The core responsibility of the Advisory

Kwame, a long-time resident of Harris County brings to the Advisory Council an experience in international business development. He is a businessman and expert in public policy and local government development.

He has previously served in a similar capacity for Harris County by promoting small to medium-sized businesses in Harris County, the Gulf Region of Mexico and The Caribbean.

He also served as Ghana’s Trade and Investment Representative to the United States under Ministry of Trade & Industry, Private Sector Development and President’s Special Initiatives during President Kufuor’s government. He has for 16 years served as an Adjunct Professor of Government at the Houston Community College.

The Harris County International Advisory Council envisions to expand trade missions abroad from Harris County and its neighboring counties while effectively interacting with foreign delegations that visit the county which includes City of Houston.

”I will endeavor to leverage my presence on the Council to promote Ghana as an attractive investment destination to the numerous CEOs and business executives I will have the privilege of interacting with.

Houston is the energy capital of the world and Harris County has a strong medical research and aerospace technology presence, as well as the third largest port in the United States and I believe all of these will present some opportunistic synergies for Ghana”, according to Mr. Acheampong.

Kwame is a graduate of Rice University and the prestigious Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Source: Prince Osei Bonsu

Renowned Scientist Dr. Thomas Mensah Proposes 21st Century Infrastructure Modernization Plan In Form Of High-Speed Rail System For Ghana

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As part of his presentation, Dr. Mensah also proposed the installation of fiber optic cable along the HRS line so passengers can connect to WiFi in the train while it travels long distances at speeds between 200-300 MPH. “I want a two-year-old in a village in Ghana to be able to learn from the tablet just like a two-year-old in the US, Europe, and the developed world”, he said followed by great applause from the conference participants.

“I believe several other colleagues of mine in the Diaspora, like Dr. Victor Laurence of New Jersey Institute of Technology, Dr. Dotsevi Sogah of Cornell University, Hypersonic Expert Dr. Isaiah Blankson at NASA, President of Dupont Africa Richard Okine, Dr. Osseo Assare of Penn State University and many others will consider moving to Ghana or serve as external advisory to help the country develop. This HRS proposal could also help solve the huge infrastructure deficit in Ghana” that has impeded huge foreign investments, in the country, according to Dr. Mensah.

Dr. Thomas Mensah, one of the speakers at the very successful 2017 Ghana Diaspora Homecoming Summit (DHS) held from July 5-8., 2017 at the Accra International Conference Center has called on Ghana to develop a High-speed Rail System (HRS) to link two of the nation’s important port cities; Accra and Takoradi in the South, to Tamale passing through Kumasi.

President Akufo-Addo of Ghana launched the conference as its first presenter, he was followed by several leaders of government including cabinet ministers, a presentation was read on behalf of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah. There were other presenters of the Ghanaian Diaspora from countries like Great Britain, France, Germany, South Africa and the US which attracted 2000 participants.

World Infrastructure expert Dr. Mensah who presented at DHS via video conference from his Atlanta Georgia base in the US proposed during his presentation among other things, that China could be considered to build the HRS as Ghana is already negotiating a US $19B bauxite development deal that includes a smelting facility and a light rail system with them. Dr. Thomas Mensah has served on the US High-Speed Rail Board.

The Dr. Mensah High-Speed Rail System For Ghana

In a phone interview with TheAfricanDream.net, Dr. Mensah disclosed he believes that “a recent article in Moody’s disparaging the bauxite deal as excessive debt will not hold water if coupled to the High-Speed Rail System that can modernize the transportation infrastructure in the country” as proposed in his presentation at the DHS.

“The proposal is also in line with the current government ‘one factory, one district’ plan” said Dr. Mensah who felt his proposed HRS corridor from the south to north of the country can actually exceed this goal by having the potential to “creating 4 factories per district along the Rail route to supply to the construction and operation of the HRS. I see factories set up to build among other things plastic, and composites for the interior of the high-speed trains as well as possibly aluminum parts for the train itself” he explained.

“This proposal has the potential to create a major Technology Transfer to Ghana, with all its Universities participating by supplying engineering, science and other graduates for the future operation and maintenance of the HRS System“, according to Dr. Mensah. Ghana will be the third country in Africa after Ethiopia and Morocco to have HRS if Dr. Mensah’s proposal materializes and is implemented in Ghana. It will transform Ghana to a well-developed country with value-added export capabilities.

High-Speed Rail System coupled with High-Speed Internet

Several prominent engineers and scientist according to Dr. Mensah who were trained in the US have returned to their respective countries to help develop the technology infrastructure base and today some of these countries like China, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and India are exporting Cars, Satellites, Smartphones, Ships, High-Speed Trains, and Aircraft products and technology. “I Am not interested in complaining about the inconveniences of the system in Ghana, I rather want to become part of the return to Ghana movement to assist with fast-tracking its development”, said Dr. Mensah in this interview.

High-Speed Rail could be ‘significant legacy’

A significant legacy of transportation infrastructure development can be realized for Ghana through the HRS as the nation prepares to enter the 21st Century. Dr. Mensah said he will be “happy to see Members of Ghana’s Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Vice President Bawumia, and His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo and their grand-children get on this High-Speed Rail System.”, when implemented. The HRS proposal will address unemployment in Ghana especially for the youth and graduates of Universities in Ghana and bring a major Economic development to the Nation.

Dr. Thomas Mensah has authored 4 books on innovation, they are: Fiber Optics Engineering (1987), Superconductor Engineering (1992), his 2013 autobiography ‘The Right Stuff Comes in Black Too’, and ‘Nanotechnology Commercialization, an International Text Book’ (2017), is a holder of 7 US Patents awarded in a space of 6yrs.

He is a Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics.

Source: Oral Ofori

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American Is Arrested After Nigerian Man Redesigns A Volkswagen Scamming Three Nigerian Men Beetle Into A ‘Rolls Royce’ Out Of $565,000 With The Promise Of A Us Green Card

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Daily Mail -An American citizen has been arrested in Nigeria after he allegedly duped three Nigerian men in a $565,000 green card scam.

Marco Antonio Ramirez is being held at Kirikiri Maximum Prison in the city of Lagos, the Nigerian Herald reports.

Ramirez, believed to be from Dallas, Texas, is accused of scamming tens of thousands of dollars from each of the three Nigerian men with the promise of securing them an American green card or US passport.

A Nigerian man by name Muhammad Abdul Modibbo has redesigned and reconstructed an old beetle into a Rolls Royce car.

A Nigerian man has left many people admiring his talent after he successfully redesigned a beetle Volkswagen car into a Rolls Royce.

Isa Bature took to Facebook to share photos of the new vehicle after a great work by the designer and engineer.

Muhammad Abdul Modibbo AKA Modibbo Automobile redesigned and constructed the new car

Bature wrote: “Volkswagen Beetle with new looks and it’s better than ever. Designed and reconstructed by Muhammad Abdul Modibbo AKA Modibbo Automobile, Founder of Gamji Automobile Nig. Ltd, Zakibiam, Ukum Local government area of Benue State.

“One of Mr. Modibbo’s goal with the model was to give it a more aggressive appearance while giving it some stylistic aspect of the reminiscent of the Beetle’s designed. New features of the Beetle includes, 4 doors, Double barrel and a well designed interior and exterior. #Respect4Modibbo.”

He faced the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission court on Thursday where he pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of obtaining money under false presences.

According to the commission’s website, Ramirez was arrested in April over the alleged scam.

The court heard he was the managing director of three American companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group.

He is accused of duping the men between February 2013 and August 2013.

Prosecutor V. O. Aigboje told the court that Ramirez was paid $545,000 by Amb. Godson Echejue. The alleged victim thought he was investing in one of Ramirez’s companies in exchange for a US green card.

Another man, Abubakar Umar, allegedly paid the American $10,000 for a non-existent investment program that would make him eligible for a US passport.

The third alleged victim, Olukayode Sodimu, paid Ramirez $10,000 thinking the money was part of the fees for a green card.

Ramirez’s attorney Chukwudi Maduka told the court on Thursday that his international passport had been forfeited as part of a bail application.

The judge opposed bail and ordered him to be held in the prison.

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Ethiopia’s First Lady, Tesfaye, Elected President of African First Ladies

Madam Roman Tesfaye, the wife of Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, has been elected President of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA). The election took place during a meeting of the group on the sidelines of the 29th African Union (A.U.) summit in Ethiopia. It is, however, the 19th Ordinary General Assembly of the OAFLA. Until Tesfaye’s election, the post was held by first lady of Ghana.

Her vice-president will be Burkinabe first lady, Adjoavi Sika Kabore.

First Lady of Zambia H.E. Madam Esther Lungu OAFLA have at its meetings recommitted to their fight to make Africa a continent free of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as maternal and child mortality. At its 17th Assembly meeting in Kigali last year, the group stressed the need to continue its advocacy for increased investment in the health system; accelerate advocacy for enhanced health education; and to support youth and civil society in policy and program initiatives that promote young women’s well-being as leaders and agents of social change in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and national governments. They also committed to continue to ensure the launch of the campaign to End Child Marriage in all their countries.

http://howafrica.com

Mrs Roman Tesfaye, First Lady of Ethiopia and newly elected president of OAFLA

First Lady of Ghana Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo

First Lady of Central African Republic Mme Brigitte Touadera

First Lady of Malawi Dr Gertrude Mutharika

Wife Of the Nigerian President Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari

Madam Hinda Deby Itno First Lady of Chad

First Lady of Mali Madame Keita A. Maiga

First Lady of Zambia H.E. Madam Esther Lungu

Trivia

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You know you are Ghanaian if ......

1. You unwrap all your gifts carefully, so that you can reuse the wrapping.

2. You don't have genuine Tupperware, only use margarine, ice-cream and yoghurt tubs.

3. You call an older person you've never met before 'uncle' or 'aunty.'

4. More than 90% of the music CD's and cassettes in your home are illegal copies.

5. Your garage is always full of stuff because you never throw anything away, just in case you need it someday.

6. You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottle from your stays at hotels.

7. You have almost always overweight baggage when travelling by plane.

8. If a store has a limit on the quantity of a product, then each member of the family will join separate queues to purchase the maximum quantity possible.

9. All children have annoying nicknames.

10. Nobody in your family informs you that they are coming over for a visit.

11. You stuff your pockets with, mints and toothpicks at restaurants.

12. Your mother has a minor disagreement with her sister and does not talk to her for 10 years.

15 Ways To Know You Are At A Ghanaian Party (1) You were given one invitation card, but you invite 20 other friends.

(2) You call the attention of the people serving food by saying "please Madam we haven't eaten in this area o!"

(3) Even when it was obvious that no alcohol was served, you still ask "don't you have any alcohol?

(4) At a kids party scheduled to start at 5pm and finishing at 12am, you arrive with kids (some of them already sleeping) at 11pm.

(5) You go back to ask for more food and drinks.

(6) You dance to "Daddy Lumba " or "Kontihene" music as if your life depended on it.

(7) You hear people talking, as if they are in a fight, about sports and politics.

(8) Towards the end of the party you see people going into the kitchen helping themselves to "take away" food and drinks.

(9) You ask the DJ to play a specially recorded cassette tape or CD you brought with you.

(10) You ask the caretaker of the hired hall to extend the party time by bribing him with money and drinks.

(11) Most of the guys are frowning and cursing because fufu, waatche, kenkey or banku wasn't served.

13. You only make telephone calls at a cheaper rate at night.

14. You teach others swear words in your language.

15. You never have less than 20 people to meet you at the airport or see you off even if it is a local flight.

16. You keep changing your Internet Service Provider because the first month is free.

17. Office supplies mysteriously find their way to your home.

18. You don't buy a printer because it is cheaper to do it at work.

19. You wash your car on a Sunday.

20. Weddings never start at the appointed time.

21. You always lie about the ages of your children if they have to pay higher admission fees.

22. When you are young, your parents buy you clothes at least two sizes too big so that they would last longer.

23. At least one of your uncles is a teacher.

24. You have a 10 kg bag of rice in the kitchen.

25. You always read the Sport sections of the Sunday newspapers first.

Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com

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Queen Elizabeth Hires First Ever Black JFK Visits Sierra Leone UN Assistant Mission Reconstruction Site In NY other members of staff.

She told a tribunal the household at Highgrove estate “wanted a white face”, adding: “There were always black jokes and names going round because it is the royal family and it is still very protected.”

The claims were dismissed by the prince’s solicitor as “outrageous” and Ms Burgess lost her claim.

Staff policy published by Buckingham Palace states: “The household aims to employ the best people from the widest available pool of talent ... irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin.”

Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah is to become the Queen’s new equerry – attending high profile events as her aide A new personal assistant selected by the Queen is to become the first black equerry in British history.

Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, a Ghanaian-born officer who fought in the Afghanistan war, will fill one of the most important roles in the royal household, The Times reports.

Speaking on film for a documentary on Britain’s open and democratic society, Major Twumasi-Ankrah said: “As a young child, watching the her majesty the Queen’s birthday parade on television, I would have never imagined that one day I’d command the regiment which I’d fallen in love with.”

He added: “From where I sit and from what I’ve seen in the UK, our cultures really do mix and intermingle, and if I’m not a good example of that I really don’t know what is.”

As an equerry, Major Twumasi-Ankrah – known as “TA” to his friends – will act as one of the Queen’s most-trusted attendants, assisting her with official engagements and welcoming Major Twumasi-Ankrah is currently in a transition phase with the current equerry high profile guests to royal residences.

Wing Commander Sam Fletcher and will take over fully by the end of the year.

READ MORE Wimbledon allow Murray to break dress code for cameo in Royal Box Historically, the role was created for someone to look after the cavalry’s horses, but in modern times an equerry is expected to be publicly visible as an aide at the Queen’s side.

The appointment is said to be especially important now the Duke of Edinburgh is set to retire from public life this year.

Major TA, 38, moved to the UK from Ghana with his parents in 1982. He studied at Queen Mary University in London and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He joined the Blues and Royals to become the first black British Army officer commissioned into the Household Cavalry and acted as escort commander for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

In the same year, he commanded the Blues and Royals taking part in the Queen’s birthday parade.

He lives in London with his wife, Joanna Hanna-Grindall, who works as the Victoria and Albert Museum’s corporate partnerships manager.

Buckingham Palace has been accused of racial discrimination in the past.

In 2001, Elizabeth Burgess, a former personal secretary to Prince Charles, brought forward a claim for constructive dismissal, alleging she had been subject to discrimination by

Source:http://www.independent.co.uk

The Attorney General and Minster of Justice, Hon. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara ( JFK ), has visited the reconstruction site of the Chancery building of Sierra Leone’s United Nations Permanent Mission in New York.

The Minister, who is in New York to attend the UN International Conference on Women and Children , inspected the various floors of the Mission which have already being torn apart for the work.

The reconstruction project of the Sierra Leone Mission at East 49th Street , New York, will entail an impressive refurbishment from top to bottom of offices and other attachments of the four-storey building. When completed, the Chancery will provide more comfortable space for diplomats and local staff representing the country at the UN.

The reconstruction work is a manifestation of the determination of the President Ernest Koroma Government to provide better and more comfortable housing, offices and working environments for diplomats and local staff in Sierra Leone’s embassies and diplomatic missions abroad , a laudable initiative capable of boosting productivity and enhancing the image of the country abroad.

The projects also show the government’s determination to embellish the bilateral and multilateral relations between Sierra Leone and other nations and international organizations.

Last week, President Ernest Koroma, while attending the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union ( AU ) in Ethiopia inaugurated the newlyconstructed Sierra Leone Embassy Complex in Addis Ababa.

All over the world, Sierra Leone’s embassies and missions are either being reconstructed and refurbished or new complexes are being built.

Little wonder that Sierra Leone ‘s Ambassador to Ethiopia , Mr. Osman Keh Kamara, during the inauguration program, said that the name President Ernest Koroma is synonymous not only with good governance , but infrastructural developments.

Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adikalie Foday Sumah , Head of Chancery Alhusine Sesay , the two Deputy Permanent Representatives and other diplomats and local staff are in high spirits for the reconstruction work on the Chancery.

By Kabs Kanu

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

sierraexpressmedia.com.

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

Very recently, I was approached by a studious looking young woman whilst on a visit to a university campus in Maryland.

The lady was polite and spoke with a strange accent that sounded like a medieval classic. Her reason for coming up to me was this; she needed random view points on a paper she was writing. I was her third human sample, since that morning.

“No problem,” I answered in my good old confident self.

“Exactly how may I be of help?”

A few minutes of pleasantries, and the following words were uttered through a fresh breath of peppermint or perhaps something close. Lol. “…Actually, have you heard of the expression ‘Whither are we?’”

“Whither are we?” I was flabberghasted.

“Yes sir.” She responded, her eye balls wide open with a somewhat, humorous expectation.

I tossed the question around mentally, my brows burrowed in a serious thought. “Please, what do you mean, whither are we?” I had hit a blank wall, couldn’t come up with any cogent response.

“My question is...” She glanced down the Clipboard she had in her hand. A small smile was beginning to light up her youthful face. After tilting her head to the side, like one does when fishing for the right words, she continued, “I just want you to give me your take on the phrase ‘Whither are we?’

“Whither are we? Sure, in what context?” I managed to say. Is this a bait?

“Genetic reproduction…whither are we drifting?”

“Whither are we drfting regarding genetic reproduction in today’s world, I presume?” I suggested measuredly.

The small smile on her face broadened.

“Yes, exactly. As Christians how do we proceed? You know, for whatever the reason, this trend is really scary. ” Her name was Kendra. And she was clearly pleased for it appeared she had completely ensnared my attention, at least in that moment.

Folks, if the question was unsettling, it was nothing short of the coincidence of the topic in question. Earlier in the day, I had met two extra-ordinary Christian couple. I describe them as extra-ordinary because as I learnt later on, the two were in a rather unique situation. The couple’s quest for medical help in conceiving a child through genetic manipulation, though was entirely reasonable, was ok medically, morally their conscience and faith would not let them be.

Their ‘conflict of interests’ bothered them so much so that they claimed they had completely lost appetite for anything

Whither are We…

orally tasty. I could not believe it. Suffice to say my interaction with them revealed that, over several generations past, many female members of their generations had died of breast cancer. That one or both spouses in each couple had probably inherited the genetic mutation for the disease. As a consequence, and predicated by common sense and countless professional opinions, they wanted to use in-vitro fertilization, through a process the experts call pre-implantation and genetic diagnosis (PGD). As the name suggest, the technique permits only the selection of healthy embryos for implantation. That is to say, the couple preferred a process where embryos that had no defective genes would be the only ones that would be hand-picked for insemination, for the fertility procedure. Their primary goal here, folks, was to eradicate breast cancer from their family lines once and for all. The couple stressed during this informal encounter that they were dead sick and tired of the massacre of their beloved family members by this Godforsaken disease.

On the surface, nothing of their desire appeared mundane. The grave concern was not about the use of PGD to avoid a genetic disease, since embryo screening for serious disorders is commonplace in most advanced countries. What troubled them mightily was that an embryo carrying the cancer mutation could possibly go on to live or survive for forty years or fifty years in a human being before ever developing into Cancer, whilst yet, there was a good and plausible chance, though minute in ratio, that the defective and dangerous gene might never even develop. That, according to the view of some doctors with differing views, the disease might not even surface at all.

Friends, here is the conundrum? Does their quests and desire in getting rid of a future disease in their respective families, in giving birth to babies whose life here on Earth would be spared by this horrific ailment; does this warrant selecting and discarding embryos? Embryos, who according to their strong Christian faith and science are the source of human life. A life created in the image of the Most High God, thou merciful, thou fearful? How do they make sure they don’t cross the line between legitimate medical genetics and the quest for what family and friends and critics describe as ‘a desire for a perfect baby?’

People, admittedly, this issue is hard to process, and equally profound indeed. To weigh the pros and cons, to rationalize, let’s look at it this way. For example, I think that, simply put, if we understand the genetic causes of obesity, professionals for instance can intervene by means of embryo selection to produce a child with reduced genetic likelihood of getting fat, getting obese. We all know how awful this condition is. How gruesome obesity is. This analysis sounds reasonable if and only if we would not discard emryos, if and only if we will not toss human lives into the laboratory bin. But can this be done without the slightest hitch? From the Christian perspective, guys, what is the guarantee that a single soul would not be lost or discarded under the microscope during this painstaking process?

Obviously, if this could be done, if this complex scientific process can be attained to perfection without the loss of any life, no child would have to ever face a lifetime of dieting or experience the health and cosmetic problems associated with obesity, for example. The same is true with cognitive issues. Why should a child struggle with reading difficulties when we could alter the genes responsible for such problem from the very outset, from the very beginning, right in the womb?

It is understandable that many people are horrified at the thought of such uses of genetic reproduction especially in the body of Christ. But please, ever seen the movie Gattaca? Guys, I had to watch this movie just one time, and well, here we are. In this film, a world in which parents choose their children’s traits, human weekness had been eliminated through genetic engineering, and the few parents who opt for natural conception run the risk of producing invalids or degenerates who are members of a despised underclass. Gattaca world is neat and efficient, but its eugenics obsession had all but extinguished and gravely eliminated human love and compassion; fellow – feeling, sympathy, name them.

God is a compassionate being, we all know that, at least largely. And He wants us to live to express this salient trait. To live to share and extol these virtues. But through this genetic process, aren’t we stripping God Almighty naked? Aren’t we eliminating concern, empathy, unconditional love etc? In a world where everything is ‘perfect’, would you worship God? Would you give Him His due? Talk to me guys? Whither are we drifting? That’s what Kendra meant? Her her question or concern wasn’t a bait. It isn’t a bait at all.

I have a few major concerns of my own, though. And it is this. I worry about the effect of genetic selection on parenting. Will our ability to choose our children’s biological inheritance or even features lead par-

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ents, lead us to replace unconditional love with a mentality that seeks perfection, just like we behave when we are grocery shopping? Don’t we always go for the best product in the aisle? Will gene manipulation diminish our freedom by making us creatures of our own genes and or creatures of our parents whims, creatures of our parents often times warped desires? Here is one good illustration posited by one of the couple. If I am a world class runner but my parents inserted a capsule in my genome when I was an embryo, can I really feel proud in my accomplishments? Worse, if I refuse to utilize my expensive genetic endowments, will I face relentless pressure to live up to my parent’s expectation? Hmmm, these are troubling questions, guys.

According to some Social Commentators, many critics fear that reproductive genetics will widen our social divisions as the affluent buy more competitive abilities for their offsprings. I mean, can you blame them? Seriously, who amongst us doesn’t want a healthy, ‘sickless’ child? I know I do. But really, if this happens, will we eventually see speciation, which loosely explained by Webster, is the emergence of two or more populations so different that they don’t even breed with each other? Under such artificial circumstances, such artificial way of life, how can real love and affection even thrive?

Most important, many others also worry about the religious implications of this technology. Knowing more about our genes may actually increase our freedom by helping us understand the biological obstacles and the opportunities available. That’s a plus.

As for the question of intruding on God’s domain, it is one thing to cure disease, and creating babies who will be fast runners, or smarter, quite another. Genomic science is racing towards a future in which foreseeable improvements include reduced susceptibility to a host of diseases, increased life span, better cognitive functioning, and maybe even cosmetic enhancements such as whitter, straighter teeth will be a normal phenomenon. The challenge is to see to it that we don’t also unleash the demons of discrimination and oppression. We have enough problems already. Hate and all, don’t you think?

Governments, religious bodies and stake holders all have a role to play in drawing clear lines of demarcation and intrusion.

Human Fertility and Embryology Authority based in the U.K. comes to the fore. More of those.

The Bible clearly teaches that God is the author of life. He forms each one of us and knits us together in the blackened regions of the womb. The Bible also clearly teaches He is sovereign over all of His creation. He is the one who is in control. Not some holier - than - thou scientist. I believe that just as He is in control of the intricate workings of the universe so is He in control of the intricate workings of conception and everything that crawls.

As such, I can't escape the thought that we are who we are. We are genetic mutations as a result of God's handiwork. Marvelous isn’t it? God is the ultimate author of our lives. Because His very nature is good, whatever He does is good. And I believe that He does everything for a reason, to bring glory to Himself. In answering His disciples' question about the reason a man was born blind, Jesus said: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

(John 9:3) Folks, I believe God's plan is to bring Himself glory in some way, genetic mutations and all. All we need to do is to seek His face, is to seek His guidance so as to strike the right balance, His interest being the utmost. So guys, let us all, singers and scientists, those who praise and those who search etc., all strive to boycott choices that doesn’t exult His holy name. Amen.

By the way where is Kendra, the studious lady who prompted all this? Whither is she?

By William deGraftColeman

Author, the Gods declare / Pearls for Life

Top 5 African Countries That Are Relocating Capital Cities!! july 2 0 1 7

Each present day country state has a capital, a city that fills in as its authoritative home office and seat of government. Capital cities communities additionally fill in as major monetary, social, and intellectual centers of a country.

Generally, the biggest or most critical city in numerous African nations “normally” turned into the seat of political power after autonomy and a large portion of them were impromptu.

In many occasions, those urban communities were situated on or close to the drift in view of the simple access to the sea for exchange and travel.

Historically, the largest or most important city in many African countries “naturally” became the seat of political power after independence and most of them were unplanned.

Overtime, however, some African countries had to move their capital cities and seats of government for a variety of reasons, with overpopulation and logistic challenges in the old city often cited as the chief reasons.

Administrators often say a new city built from scratch would give urban planners a chance to build a modern city without the mistakes of the old.

Here, we looks at five African countries that have moved or are in the process of moving their capital city.

In the ’70s, Tanzania’s founding father and foremost nationalist Julius Nyerere shared his vision of relocating the country’s capital from the coastal city of Dar es Salaam 397 km inland to Dodoma.

Dodoma is located in the center of Tanzania, and Nyerere considered it the perfect location for a new seat of government for both administrative and logistical reasons.

President Nyerere believed the new location would be easily accessible to citizens from all parts of the country and move government closer to the grassroots.

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, the current capital, is Tanzania’s largest city. Located on the coast of the Indian Ocean with many important seaports, it easily became the commercial capital of Tanzania.

However, today, residents of Dar es Salaam often complain that their city is overpopulated and polluted and have embraced the impending move to Dodoma.

Over the years, the move to the new city has been slowed by poor funding, with nearly 40 years passing since Nyerere first announced the planned move.

The incumbent President John Magufuli, though, believes the move should be complete before 2020.

2. Equatorial Guinea

More than a decade ago, Equatorial Guinea, Africa’s largest oil producer after Nigeria and Angola, announced plans to relocate its capital from Malabo, on the coast, to a new city under construction deep in its remote jungle.

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3. Zambia

In May 2017, Zambian officials announced a proposal to relocate the country’s capital from Lusaka to an uninhabited site deep in the heart of the country.

Authorities say Ngabwe, an uninhabited marshland in the country’s Central Province about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Lusaka, will make a suitable new capital city for Zambia.

The area is prone to heavy flooding during the rainy season, but planning officials argue that it holds the decided advantage of being centrally located, making it relatively accessible from all parts of the country.

In addition, they say a new capital is needed to cope with Zambia’s ever-expanding population and the demands of a modern capital city.

4. Egypt

Egypt is in the middle of an ambitious project to build a new capital city in the desert, 28 miles southeast of the present 1,000-year-old capital Cairo.

Plans for the new capital were first announced in March 2015, and it is expected to be completed by 2021.

Egyptian officials say the move to the yet-to-be-named city is the solution to the perennial problem of traffic congestion and housing shortages faced by Cairo’s nearly 30 million residents.

On completion, the new capital is expected to cover a land area of about 700 square kilometers and it would boast the world’s largest park, in addition to smart villages, industrial zones, housing for 5 million people, and more than 1,000 mosques with a Saudi firm planning to build a 12.6-hectare mosque and an Islamic museum.

5. Nigeria

Following independence from the British, successive Nigerian governments considered moving Nigeria’s capital from the tiny coastal city of Lagos, which was already busting at the seams from overpopulation and overstretched facilities, to a planned modern city built from scratch.

Keen to avoid the urban accident that Lagos had become, authorities launched a search for a suitable capital city and eventually settled on the choice of Abuja, an expansive and sparsely populated area located approximately in the center of the country.

In October 1984, Abuja was declared a federal capital territory, and in December 1991, Nigeria eventually moved its capital from Lagos 700 km inland to the new location of Abuja.

A 2006 national census put the population of Abuja at about 776,298, making it one of the 10 most-populous cities in Nigeria.

According to the United Nations, Abuja grew by 139.7 percent between 2000 and 2010, Oyala, the proposed new capital, lies deep in the middle of Equatorial Guinea’s rainforest making it the fastest growing city in the world. region and is surrounded by several national parks close to its border with Gabon.

Equatorial Guinea officials say the new capital was conceived as a city of the future. It boasts a six-lane highway; a championship golf course; and a 450-room luxury hotel that is complete with a spa, theater, and convention center. The new capital is also home to the proposed International University of Central Africa.

When complete, Oyala is expected to have a population of at least 200,000 people in addition to serving as the seat of government and a new home for the president.

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Face2Face Africa

Afrikan

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WHY PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT MUST INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

Dear Reader,

It is always a pleasure to have this opportunity to ink these articles to you. I anticipate you have had the opportunity to read some of the past real estate articles I have put forth in this paper titled: “Why People of African Descent Must Invest in Real Estate”, “The Joy of Home Ownership”, “A Comeback from Short Sale or Foreclosure”, Simple Steps to make Home Ownership a Reality”, and “Tips on Buying a Home After a Short Sale”; just to name a few.

From these articles, I have had several readers contacted me asking important questions pertaining to the home ownership process. These questions posed by readers such as you gave birth to the following questions and answers. Here we go!

Question: What are the benefits of home ownership?

Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you are throwing money away. You write a monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home you enjoy a lot of benefits such as writing of your mortgage interest, you can deduct a room in your home as home office business expense and biggest advantage is the principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank in the form of equity. Home ownership allow you landscape your yard/backyard how you want it, decorate/paint or renovate your house as you please without dealing with obstinate landlord. The joy of home ownership is endless.

Question: What documents are required?

Answer: Copies of bank account statements; most recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings; copies of your last 2 years' income tax returns; statement of any investments, list of debts on loans and employment verification.

Question: What credit score do I need?

Answer: The credit score criteria defer from lender to lender. There are lenders who will look at credit score as low as 580. However, for the home buying transaction to succeed you must pay off any outstanding debts on your credit report.

Question: I have a bad credit can I buy a house?

Answer: Having a bad credit now should not deter you from your dreams or goals or destiny of home ownership.

It will require some work on your part to bring you to a

credit worth buyer. You can contact me and discuss the strategies that can be taken to reach this goal.

Question: How much down payment is needed?

Answer: The amount of down payment required will depend on the type of loan you are qualified for. There are government programs that requires 0% down payment; however there are eligibility guidelines set for one to be approved. There is the most common type of loan known as FHA. Typically, FHA requires a 3.5% down payment of the loan amount or the total sale price of the transaction.

Question: In addition to the mortgage payment, what other costs will I be responsible for?

Answer: Well, if you are renting and utilities are covered in your rent, this might be new to you. As a home owner you will be responsible for paying your gas, electricity, water, insurance, property taxes, and possible homeowner association (HOA) fees. Typically, property taxes are rolled into your mortgage payment.

Question: I have foreclosed/short sale in the past, can I still buy now?

Answer: Yes, it is definitely possible to come back to buy a house again after foreclosure or short sale of a property.

Question: I have filed for bankruptcy, how long will it take before I am able to buy again?

Answer: If you filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it takes about a year from the time it was fully closed or recorded. If you filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it takes about 3 years from the time it was fully closed or recorded.

The good news is that law makers are constantly reviewing these laws, therefore, I recommend you reach out to me to connect you to a loan officer who will be able to review your unique situation and offer a solution to it.

I hope this addresses some of the burning questions you have for making the bold decision to emerge into the idea of home ownership.

For more information about your real estate needs (buying, selling, and leasing/renting a house) call me at 571-229-6694 and I will help you get started.

Blessings in full portion!

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

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

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Outstanding Benefits

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Investments opportunities

Pioneering Electronic Visa Program Aimed to Increase Tourism and Investment

Afrikan

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There were many people saying, 'Let's not try this.' Now, it's a success. I really applaud them.

Do you advertise this and let people know that Lesotho is a beautiful country?

NPP USA Congratulates NITA Boss july 2017

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T'sepiso Mosasane : Computer Frontiers are doing the advertising for us.

Photo: Corporate Council on Africa T'sepiso Mosasane, Lesotho's director of Immigration (left) and Barbara Keating, president of Computer Frontiers, participating in a tourism panel during the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.

Washington, DC — Lesotho is the only independent nation in the world with its entire land mass above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). Now the country, with a population of 2.1 million and a surface area the size of Belgium, has another distinction – a top-tier electronic visa program, joining only 13 other countries on the continent, according to the African Development Bank's Visa Openness Index.

Launched on May 5 – making Lesotho the ninth nation , the platform was created by the Lesotho government in partnership with a U.S.-based, privately owned IT company, Computer Frontiers, with offices and tech staff in Ghana, Uganda and several other African capitals. During last month's U.S. Africa Business Summit in Washington, DC, where Lesotho e-visa was on display, AllAfrica's Noluthando Crockett-Ntonga discussed the platform with T'sepiso Mosasane , Lesotho's acting director of Immigration in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Computer Frontiers President Barbara Keating. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.

How is e-visa helping Lesotho?

T'sepiso Mosasane : It has eliminated most of the challenges that we were encountering regarding visas. We used to have a manual system, and there were lots and lots of problems.

Apart from that, we were losing out on investment and tourism because many people didn't know how to access our visa. And our country was not even known in the world because we didn't know how to advertise.

How long does it take to get a visa for Lesotho?

T'sepiso Mosasane : 48 hours.

Barbara Keating: We have a call center and adjudication of the visas is done 24/7.

Usually visas are stamped into a passport at an embassy. How do recipients show they have an e-visa?

T'sepiso Mosasane : They print it out - it has their photo and the details.

Barbara Keating: And security codes.

Where did this idea originate?

Barbara Keating: We used to do visa processing for the U.S. government, which is fairly involved. So we cut our teeth on that and knew there could be an improvement beyond how the Americans have done it. That's what we now offer to African governments. Lesotho was the pioneer. We were looking at smaller countries. We wanted a place that could really test it out. They were the first to adopt, which is brave on their part.

How does that work, Barbara?

Barbara Keating: If you need a visa for Lesotho, you have to come to their website and there you see it. We've also advertise in travel magazines and newspapers. We have people who are working with South Africa, which is key since [South Africa] totally surrounds Lesotho!

How much does it cost to get a Lesotho visa?

T'sepiso Mosasane : Single entry visa is $150; multiple entries, $250.

Isn't that a little steep?

Barbara Keating : No, it's actually not. It's right in line with others.

How long did it take to create this platform?

Barbara Keating: The contract was awarded on the 1st of February and we launched the 5th of May.

How did you get into this, Barbara, and how large is your staff?

Barbara Keating: We started as a USAID contractor and then moved to work with the private sector. Today, we have about 120 people throughout Africa, and in the United States another 10 or so.

Our approach is different from other providers, because we come from a development background. We don't just bring technology and dump it, as did the former contractor. We train and bring people up to speed and are there with them. That's the way to do it. If we do well, we also make money.

How does e-visa help you manage immigration for your government?

T'sepiso Mosasane : With this, we know how many people have come into our country and which countries they are from – for what purpose that they came to our country and how long they stayed.

This will help us plan what to anticipate, where to develop our infrastructure.

Barbara Keating: Also for security, we know exactly when visitors come in. We know when they've left. We know if they haven't left.

Along with tourists, the e-visa web site talks about serving "business persons seeking investment opportunities in Southern Africa."

Can this platform serve the region as well as your country, Lesotho?

T'sepiso Mosasane : We are trying as SADC [South African Development Community] that anyone who wants to visit any country in the region should just have one visa.

What lesson would you want to share from this project?

T'sepiso Mosasane : We have an excellent platform that is working for us. When we entered into this agreement, we didn't have the money to do it. Governments often don't have money. It was the service provider [Computer Frontiers] that invested in this, and they will be recovering their money as the time is going. With partnerships like this one that we have with Computer Frontiers, we can go far. http://allafrica.com

The communications team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the United States (US) has sent warm wishes to its Director of Communications, Paul Kwaku Kyei Ofori, on his appointment as Deputy Director General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA).

The Kwaku Kyei Ofori Ofori holds an MA in Technology Management from Georgetown University, Washington DC and a BA in Networking Technology, with a minor in Business Administration from the Central Connecticut State University, New Britin in Connecticut.

Until his appointment, Kwaku Kyei Ofori was the Director of Communications NPP-USA, the representative of ‘Let My Vote Count Alliance representative’ (LMVCA) in the US, a member of the NPP side of transition team of 2016, technology entrepreneur, philanthropist, a consultant, founder/ CEO of O & O Technologies and OforiBowTies.

He is widely considered among his peers to be one of the most innovative young professionals of today.

At O&O Technologies, he and his team utilised advanced analytics in the resolution of business issues, whilst driving revenue growth through the development and delivery of tailored innovative support services.

Kwaku Kyei Ofori is also the founder of OforiBowTies, a handcrafted wooden bowtie line which has partnered with Barnes & Noble College to carry the wooden bow ties in major university books stores across the USA. In addition to his leadership roles at his companies, Kwaku Kyei Ofori worked as a consultant at Accenture Federal Services, a global management consulting firm.

Aside this experience, Kwaku Kyei Ofori also worked as a technology server engineer at United Technologies and Aetna Life Insurance Corporation respectively, both Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Connecticut.

He also led a team of technical consultants at Vaskro International Corporation in New York and worked as part of a team of network administrators at his alma mater.

He is a regular speaker at career counselling workshops, capacity building and information sharing sessions to better equip the youth.

In a mentoring capacity, Kwaku Kyei Ofori provides advice and expertise to low-income earning sole proprietor businesses with basic technology needs.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu

Changing Perceptions on Display at U.S.-Africa Business Summit in DC Afrikan

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J u l y 2017

McKinsey&Company (in a study titled Lions on the Move):

Washington, DC — "We must change the lenses with which we look at Africa from the traditional development mindset to an investment mindset," Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), told last week's U.S.-Africa Business Summit.

"American companies come to Africa bringing their notebooks, while the Chinese companies come to the continent with their checkbooks," Adesina said in his keynote address in which he urged a reversal in the sharp drop in Africa's exports to the United States since 2014 and encouraged American firms "to take a closer look at the opportunities Africa has to offer."

Some 800 private-sector and government participants from Africa and the United States took part in the three-day gathering, a biennial event that CCA has hosted in various locations in the United States and Africa since 1997.

"The Summit provided one of the first opportunities for African leaders, U.S. and African CEOs and other stakeholders to engage with the Trump Administration on the important issues impacting the U.S.-Africa economic relationship" said Florie Liser, CCA's President and CEO.

"Africa is moving steadily on a trajectory of economic growth and increasing self-reliance a vision this Administration supports," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said his opening address - the first Africa policy speech by a senior Trump team member. "Africa is a place of opportunity," he said, quoting President Trump when he met African leaders at last month's G7 summit in Italy.

Ross called trade relationships "vital to the security and stability of both the United States and Africa" and expressed continued support for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which has been a centerpiece of U.S.-Africa policy since 2000. But he added a warning, saying that countries benefiting from Agoa trade preferences must "continue complying with the eligibility requirements established in U.S. law," he said.

"Bilateral trade agreements, rather than large, multilateral ones, can be very effective tools in meeting the long- term interests of the partners involved," the Commerce Secretary added, in a signal that Agoa is likely to be deemphasized in favor of trade pacts with large countries such as South Africa.

"Secretary Ross reinforced that the administration will be looking for ways to continue to expand trade with Africa," which many participants found "reassuring", Dr. Jeffrey Sturchio, the CCA Board chair, told AllAfrica.

Witney Schneidman, senior advisor for Africa at Covington.& Burling who served in the State Department under president Clinton, had a similar take on Ross's speech. "The good news," he wrote in his Brookings blog, "is that the Trump administration appears to understand the importance of the African market."

Interest in Africa by U.S. firms has been on the rise in recent years. A major reason, as noted by speakers throughout the conference, are positive metrics reported by – among others - the IMF, World Bank and

6 African nations are among the top 10 fastest growing countries in the world 19 African countries have average growth rates of 5 percent or more 90 million African households will enter the consumer class over the next decade, contributing to a total household purchasing power of US$2.1 trillion Africa is the world's second-fastest growing economy, well above the global average In attendance to pitch American firms were high-level representatives from a number of African governments. President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, in his keynote, cited regulatory changes that make his country "a safe and strategic" investment destination. He urged American firms "to take advantage of the enabling business environment and investment opportunities and potential that exist in Mozambique."

Massive natural gas reserves have been discovered off shore Mozambique, and the country recently launched a LNG (liquefied natural gas) project that attracted 15 international banks and five credit agencies.

After addressing the Summit, Nyusi was received at the State Department by Secretary Rex Tillerson. Their previous meeting was in September in New York, when Tillerson was Exxon CEO when they discussed the company's plans to invest and explore for gas.

President Hage Geingob of Namibia planned to take part but cancelled after the death of liberation movement icon Toivo Ya Toivo. His finance minister, Calle Schlettwein, spoke about Namibia's development agenda and the President's plan to eradicate poverty.

Other countries participating at the ministerial level included Ghana (Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry), Nigeria (Okechukwu E. Enelamah, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment), South Africa (Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development), and Zimbabwe (Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi). One session focusing on regional cooperation featured the heads of two major pan African institutions - Marcel De Souza, president of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah, president & CEO of AFREXIM Bank.

Topics explored during the more than 30 panels and plenaries ranged from agribusiness, health and security to infrastructure and logistics, regional cooperation, the role of women in business, workforce development and renewable energy. There were also sessions on doing business in Ghana and Angola.

One area of interest for a number of attendees was technology as a key to helping African countries fast-track economic development. Discussions touched on "ways to leapfrog" old technologies and not be hindered by old ways of looking at Africa," said Sturchio, the CCA chair who heads the New York-based global health strategy consulting firm RabinMartin.

He cited the lively presentation by Chris Maroleng from MTN, who chronicled the explosive growth experienced by his company - Africa's largest cell phone provider. One innovation on display at the meeting was the partnership between Computer Frontiers and the Lesotho government that bolsters tourism by using an e-visa platform. Yes, visitors can get visas online at evisalesotho.com!

Another company at the meeting, Hello Tractor, demonstrated it Uber-like platform that gives African farmers access to tractors they can't afford to buy but need to use to increase productivity and income.

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CCA hosted a gala reception for Summit attendees at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, where the former CCA president and CEO, Stephen Hayes, was honored for 17 years as head of the organization. He retired and was replaced by Liser in January.

On the final day, a memorandum of understanding was signed between CCA and Ecowas, which includes 15 countries totaling over 340 million people. According to Liser, the agreement is designed to assist U.S. and African companies "by improving the 'doing business' environment and, among other things, organizing trade and reverse trade missions."

The AllAfrica reporting team at the Summit included Noluthando Crockett-Ntonga, Bunmi Oloruntoba, Ladi Olorunyomi, Tami Hultman and Reed Kramer, assisted by Aramide Olorunyomi. AllAfrica was a Summit media sponsor. More information about the conference here.

Massive natural gas reserves have been discovered off shore Mozambique, and the country recently launched a LNG (liquefied natural gas) project that attracted 15 international banks and five credit agencies.

After addressing the Summit, Nyusi was received at the State Department by Secretary Rex Tillerson. Their previous meeting was in September in New York, when Tillerson was Exxon CEO when they discussed the company's plans to invest and explore for gas.

President Hage Geingob of Namibia planned to take part but cancelled after the death of liberation movement icon Toivo Ya Toivo. His finance minister, Calle Schlettwein, spoke about Namibia's development agenda and the President's plan to eradicate poverty.

Other countries participating at the ministerial level included Ghana (Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry), Nigeria (Okechukwu E. Enelamah, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment), South Africa (Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development), and Zimbabwe (Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi). One session focusing on regional cooperation featured the heads of two major pan African institutions - Marcel De Souza, president of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and Dr. Benedict Okey Oramah, president & CEO of AFREXIM Bank.

Topics explored during the more than 30 panels and plenaries ranged from agribusiness, health and security to infrastructure and logistics, regional cooperation, the role of women in business, workforce development and renewable energy.

There were also sessions on doing business in Ghana and Angola.

One area of interest for a number of attendees was technology as a key to helping African countries fast-track economic development. Discussions touched on "ways to leapfrog" old technologies and not be hindered by old ways of looking at Africa," said Sturchio, the CCA chair who heads the New York-based global health strategy consulting firm RabinMartin.

He cited the lively presentation by Chris Maroleng from MTN, who chronicled the explosive growth experienced by his company - Africa's largest cell phone provider. One innovation on display at the meeting was the partnership between Computer Frontiers and the Lesotho government that bolsters tourism by using an e-visa platform. Yes, visitors can get visas online at evisalesotho.com!

Another company at the meeting, Hello Tractor, demonstrated it Uber-like platform that gives African farmers access to tractors they can't afford to buy but need to use to increase productivity and income.

Zambia’s Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma Wins the Queen’s Young Leaders Award

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25-year-old Zambian Medical Doctor Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma says her winning the 2017 Queen Young Leader’s Award is a testimony that nothing is impossible.

J u l y 2017

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2017 Recipients of The Queen’s Young Leaders Awards Photo: Facebook/ Queens Young Leaders

Natasha who was one of the 60 people from around the world to be selected as a Queens Young Leader and the only Zambian got to meet Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in the U.K last week.

She spoke to the Queen about her work with her organisation Copper Rose Foundation where they are providing sanitary towels to underprivileged adolescent girls.

She said the award is dedicated to all the women and girls who are not living to their potential adding that this is a testimony that nothing is impossible.

“I would like to thank God almighty, for this vision that he has put in my heart to improve the lives of millions of African women, my best friends F & S, my parents and family members, all our donors and supporters of our work, my mentors who tell me which way i should go, the Zambian high commission in UK, the British High Commission in Zambia, all the local and international change makers who continue to raise the bar and show me i can do much more in this environment,” she said.

She added, “It’s taken me some time to process what has happened in the past few weeks…Mostly because this is award is not for me, it’s for all the people in my organization Copper Rose Zambia who work tirelessly to ensure that we reach out to as many girls and women as possible.”

http://howafrica.com/

Natasha Salifyanji Kaoma talking with Prince Harry and a fellow winner. Photo: Twitter/ Queens Leaders

Afrikan

J u l y 2017

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Nigeria's Obasanjo Reveals Shocking Secrets about Sani Abacha

After three months in the dungeon, Obasanjo said he was taken "to Kirikiri where I met Yar'Adua. We spent four nights before I was taken to Jos. After some time, they moved to Yola. But they decided that Yar'Adua and I should be poisoned. Yar'Adua was injected.

"And that led to the virus that eventually killed him. A doctor wanted to take my blood sample. I refused because I had some trace of diabetes. I did not allow him to take my blood sample. After three weeks, he came again to take my blood sample. I told him that he would not take my blood sample without my doctor's consent," Obasanjo explained.

He said he was surprised one day when one of the prison officials informed him that Abacha had died, though he said he discarded the news of Abacha's death. Eventually, he said it turned out to be true.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last night reflected on his prison's experience, revealing that former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, "decided and determined" to kill him, but God rescued from the plot to poison him.

Likewise, Obasanjo disclosed that Abacha resolved that the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola, and the late Chief of Staff under the Obasanjo regime, Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, would not come out of prison alive.

He narrated his ordeal yesterday at a programme organised by Christ The Redeemer's Friends International (CRFI) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, where he emphasised God's factor in how he was released.

The programme was attended by Abia State Governor, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu, former Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, and former Group Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Alex Otti.

Also, former Chairman of Nigerian Breweries, Chief Felix Ohiwerei, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof.

Grace Alele-Williams, CRFI National Coordinator, Pastor Edmond Ayoola, and Senior Pastor of Royal Generation Treasure House Ministry Int'l, Pastor Adewale Samuel, among others attended the programme.

Giving insight into what caused his problem with Abacha, Obasanjo explained that it was the decision of Abacha "to annihilate me. It was not his decision alone. It was the decision of those who were close to him. They decided and determined that I should be annihilated."

He noted that Abacha and his cabals decided "to exterminate my life because I criticised him when he wanted to transit from a military Head of State to civilian president. I told him to drop soldier's uniform and contest election if he wanted to be president."

Obasanjo noted that Abacha truly planned "to kill me. But his plan left God out. And his plan eventually failed. There is God's hand in the life of everyone. He said I plotted a coup. He first arrested Yar'Adua. When he arrested Yar'Adua, I confronted him.

"But Abacha told me that he did not know that Yar'Adua was arrested. I replied that there was no way that a man of Yar'Adua's calibre would be arrested in Nigeria without his knowledge. He therefore promised to find out who arrested him," he explained.

The former president disclosed that he was in the US when he was

briefed about Abacha's plan "to frame me in a coup plot and arrest me. The US ambassador told me not to return to Nigeria because of the plan to arrest me by the junta.

The ambassador also told me that the US Government had concluded plans to grant me asylum.

"While I appreciated the US Government, I rejected the offer. I was supposed to travel to France from the US. After I heard about Abacha's plan, I cancelled my flight to France. I came through the United Kingdom to Nigeria. Abacha knew about my trip. When I arrived Nigeria, they were surprised because they expected me to be in France.

"I was in my farm when somebody came to see me. I left farm to see them. It was Ooni of Ile-Ife and Maj.-Gen. David Jemibewon. They said we needed to go and beg Abacha. I asked them why. They explained everything.

But I told them that there was no need.

"And I returned to my farm immediately. Just after they left, a police officer came in mufti. He said the AIG wanted me to come and advise him. I told him that was not true. I explained to him that if an AIG needed my advice, he would come to my house.

"My wife insisted that she would go with me anywhere they wanted to take me to. I got to the AIG at Zone II. He said I was under arrest. From Zone II, they took me to police officers' mess, Ikeja. From Ikeja, they transferred me to Ikoyi where I spent about three days."

He, thus, said agitation for his release started, noting that former US President Jimmy Carter and African leaders "came and pleaded on my behalf. After their intervention, I was released. But Abacha placed me under house arrest and I could not go out. I was only playing game in my farm."

Sad enough, Obasanjo said Abacha's men came again and arrested him, noting that a man he never met before pointed at him. "But the man claimed that he met me when I launched my book. The man said I planned coup.

He said he was in my farm office for that purpose.

"They started investigation. After some time, they said I had been charged for treason, and this was punishable by death. Consequently, they set up a three-man court martial. The military court eventually decided against me.

And they took me to the dungeon."

Obasanjo, however, said he regained his freedom after praying and fasting for seven days without eating and drinking, which he said, really developed his spiritual instinct and life.

Also at the programme, Ayoola gave insight into the vision of CRFI, which he said, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye founded on January 9, 1990 to reach out to the people in the high echelon of the society.

Ayoola, CRFI's national coordinator, explained that Adeboye established out of concern for those who occupied privileged positions in politics, business, industry, commerce and government so that they could benefit from the gospel of Jesus Christ and escape the wrath of the end time.

He said: "It is a vision of righteousness of men and women in the high echelon of our society. If these people are won to the Lord, the common men will better in our society. If they accept Christ into their lives, there will be fairness. There will be justice. And there will also be righteousness. http://allafrica.com/

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MEET THE BLACK MISS USA WINNERS https://pageantsnews.com

Carole Gist (Michigan), 1990 Carole made history for being the first African American to be crowned Miss USA also the first from Michigan. She broke the five year winning streak of Texas in the Miss USA pageant. Carole went on to win as First Runnerup in the Miss Universe.

Kenya Moore (Michigan), 1993 Kenya is the second African American to win Miss USA. She placed sixth in the Miss Universe pageant. Kenya is best known for her twirling skills and her stint in the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

She has since authored two books and made a workout DVD.

Miss USA 2008 (Texas), Crystle Stewart On April 11, 2008 Stewart represented Texas in the Miss USA 2008 pageant where she became the ninth Texan to win the Miss USA title.

Additionally, Stewart graduated from Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Houston.

Miss USA 1995 (Texas) and Miss Universe 1995, Chelsi Smith

After becoming Miss USA, Smith traveled to Windhoek, Namibia to compete in the 1995 Miss Universe pageant, becoming the first Miss USA to capture the Miss Universe crown in 15 years.

Miss USA 2000 (Tennessee), Lynette Cole The fourth Black Miss USA winner is Lynette Cole, crowned in 2000. She was the first woman from the state of Tennessee to win the Miss USA competition.

Since winning Miss USA, Cole has become a television host for NBC, CMT, ESPN, MTV, VH-1 and made many appearances on As the World Turns. .

Miss USA 2012 (Maryland), Nana Meriwether (1st Runnerup at Miss USA, took over Miss USA crown when Olivia Culpo won Miss Universe) Meriwether represented Maryland at Miss USA 2012 where she eventually finished at 1st runner-up to Olivia Culpo of Rhode Island. On December 19, 2012, Olivia Culpo won the title of Miss Universe 2012. Due to pageant protocol, Miss USA must resign her title in order to fulfill her duties as Miss Universe. The 1st runner-up assumes the title of Miss USA, meaning that Meriwether is the new Miss USA 2012.

Miss USA 2002 (District of Columbia), Shauntay Hinton Born and reared in her native Starkville, Mississippi, Shauntay Renae Hinton stepped into the national spotlight as Miss USA 2002. After attending Howard University in Washington D.C. with a major in broadcast journalism, she used her communication skills along with the coveted title of Miss USA to work on behalf of charitable organizations.

Miss USA 2007 (Tennessee),

Smith represented Tennessee in the Miss USA 2007 pageant on March 23, 2007, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, where she became the second titleholder from Tennessee to win the Miss USA crown.

Miss USA 2016 (District of Columbia), Deshauna Barber Barber joined the United States Army Reserve at age 17. She attended Virginia State University and graduated with a degree in business management.

On June 5, 2016, Barber competed in the Miss USA 2016 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada. She went on to win the competition, beating out first runner-up Chelsea Hardin of Hawaii and second runner-up Emanii Davis from Georgia. She was crowned by outgoing Miss USA, Olivia Jordan of Oklahoma.