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8-year-old Homeless Refugee From Nigeria Crowned Chess Champion in New York Pg. 28

Vol 11 Issue 3

March 2019

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Suzuki, Toyota Tsusho & CFAO Announce Joint Venture To Produce Vehicles In Ghana

From the Editor

O u r G r ea tes t G lor y is n o t in n ever f allin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll .

We ar e co mmittted to br in g in g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r o m Af r ica a n d th e D ia s por a . Yo u may a ls o vis it o u r web s ite a t www. af r ikan po s t.com f o r d aily n ews u p d ates o n Af r ica .

D is claimer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s tor ies in th is N ews pap er ar e th o s e o f th e a u th o r s an d do n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ika n Pos t . All commen ts a n d s u gges tion s ar e welco me.

2019

George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor

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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

8-year-old Homeless Refugee From Nigeria Crowned Chess Champion in New York Pg. 28

After Mozambique, Lionel Messi Donates €200,000 to Another African Country Pg. 32

Nigeria’s Yoruba Language Is Second Most Spoken Foreign Language In Baltimore Schools Page 14

HER PAGE

The Example Pg. 11

COGA Celebrates Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary In Washington DC Metro Pg. 7

UPDATE

How this 38-year Old Entrepreneur built a $1 billion Energy Conglomerate in Ghana Pg. 38

Officials from Suzuki Motor Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and CFAO have announced a joint venture to manufacture and distribute vehicles in Ghana.

At a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 19th March, 2019, at Jubilee House, Mr. Koyote Suzuki, General Manager for the Middle East and Africa of Suzuki Motor Corporation, told President Akufo-Addo that with the company producing some 1.8 million vehicles in India alone, “my mission is to find our next India in the continent of Africa.”

He stated that “our next phase of growth will come from Africa, but we need to find the right partner in Africa for manufacturing and distribution after sale of our vehicles.”

Suzuki, he said, has partnered with Toyota in Africa, and are currently working in some 26 countries.

“We came to know from Toyota that the Ghanaian government is planning to roll out a new automotive policy. We heard this from Toyota executives who paid a visit here last month. We are highly interested in participating in this initiative by the Ghanaian government.

We wish to start production here, grow it and expand it,” the Suzuki General Manager added.

Mr. Masafumi Yamashita, from Toyota Tsusho Corporation, in his remarks, noted that Toyota Corporation and CFAO have the largest automotive distribution network in Africa, and have an ambition to contribute to and support further development in African countries.

“Our vision is with Africa and for Africa. This time, we commit to work together with Suzuki Motor Corporation for the future development of the automotive industry here in Africa, as a strategic partner,” he

added.

On his part, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that “these three companies that have come together to push an idea, here in Ghana, is an idea that we have to welcome.”

His Government, he explained, is interested in developing a vibrant and dynamic automobile industry in Ghana, and has made several initiatives towards that end.

“Finally, I believe we are now ready to outdoor our automotive policy which will enable people like you know what is available to you in terms of government support, and also the obligations that will be upon you, if you enter the Ghanaian space,” the President added.

With the economy projected to grow by 7.9% this year, and the country recognized as one of the most stable countries on the continent, where the rule of law works, President Akufo-Addo stressed that “this is architecture designed expressly to try and attract investments into our country.”

President Akufo-Addo told the delegation that “you are very welcome, and it will be very good news for the people of Ghana if they were to hear that Suzuki has teamed up with Toyota Tsusho and CFAO to establish a facility here in Ghana.”

With Suzuki manufacturing 1.6 litre engine vehicles in India, the President stated that “these are exactly the kind of cars that should have very successful entry into the Ghanaian market.”

http://www.presidency.gov.gh

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Ghana-born US Material Innovation Leader First 2019 Lilkid single Impacts Global Plastics Industry ‘Only You’ dishes eargasms to Afrobeat lovers include a Global Excellence Award and Most Innovative Interior in Automotive Award won in 2004, Excellence in Transportation Awardand Environmental Conscious Manufacturing Award of 2005. She also won the J&J Excellence in Science Award in 2015 and most recently this year gained back-to-back recognition when the Professional Organization of Woman of Excellence Recognized (P.O.W.E.R) named her 2019 Engineer of the year and Woman of Excellence / Industry Leader respectively.

My curiosity let me to ask the amount of work that went into her winning these multiple-awards over the decades and Jacqueline revealed with a smile saying “I think that it was my enhanced customer relationships with consistent achievement of deadlines, hard-work and a customer-centric approach to design and budgeting alongside my positive attitude as a Ghanaian that has brought me this far.”

She is an industrial leader expert with over two decades of experience that complements her drive to refine and consolidate sustainable plastic material for medical applications and her name is Jacqueline A. Anim. I am yet to meet a woman more intellectually astute about plastic use, application and development than Jacqueline in the United States (US) so for now, let me be enthralled.

The Ghana-born United States (US) plastic and polymer expert is one of the leading Ghanaian women in the world of plastic technologies [in medical and automotive etc] who is a noted global leader with surpassing intellect of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) global plastics material space. She possesses a strong combination of strategic vision and hands-on leadership in the area of material transformation engineering/innovation and producer market dynamics in relation to base business whiles improving and saving human lives.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree holder of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Jacqueline also holds a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering obtained at the University of Dayton, in Dayton, Ohio.

“I started out my career in 1994 as a Materials and Process Engineer with General Motors – Delphi an OEM for Pickup trucks, Minivans, Sedan and luxury cars like the Cadillac for over 15 yrs. At this firm, my major preoccupation was working on the Materials Engineering Group till 2002 when I moved from that position to become a Senior Lead Product Engineer for about a year from 2002 and eventually became a substantive Lead Product Engineer from 2003 to 2005.“

From here Jacqueline rose up the ranks when in 2005 she assumed the Senior Advanced Research Engineer role until 2009 leading the affairs of Delphi’s Advance Development Group. Of her 15yrs spent at GM-Delphi, Jacqueline won a series of prestigious awards in her field of industry and specialization from her work as leader and director for program launches for the Chevy Malibu Sedan in a dual role as lead senior materials engineer and senior product execution engineer.

Some of her industry-wide awards recognition

Yet I wanted to know more so I obtained the rest from a little research and from speaking to some friends of hers from which I found out that: Jacqueline through her work at GMDelphi led a project that annually saved her employer $800K and reduced scrap another 40% with the development of a scrap-reducing touch-up process. She also achieved an annual $1.8M in scrap savings with the development of a heat gun repair process after the earlier feat.

During all that, she gained 4 patents around environmental conscious close-loop process for automotive applications.

Jackie, as she is affectionately called, is philanthropy with a passion for giving. She is currently a Director of Smiling Hope Ministry Corp, an organization whose main mission is to put a smile on the faces of children with socioeconomic disadvantages.

Presently a member of almost a dozen global professional associations like the American Society of Chemical Engineers and the Society of Plastic Engineers – Medical Polymers, Jacqueline also works at Ethicon Incorporated; a Cincinnati firm in Ohio US that has been shaping the future of surgery, surgical solutions and medical devices among others in the health care sector.

Born in Osu in Accra, Ghana, Jacqueline has been Ethicon’s Principal Materials Engineer since November of 2015 having worked in respective capacities with them over the past decade. She tells me she wants to use her expertise and experience to impact lives in Ghana and Africa as part of her effort to contribute to the acceleration of the continent’s technological development. I intend to bring you more on her soon.

Yet another good single by young Ghanaian musician Lilkid titled ‘Only You‘ released March 10, 2019, provides easy-to-listen yet danceready vibes which Lilkid say is a love song inspired by beautiful African women.

In the lyrics, the Afrobats musician also known as Lilkidayo is heard trying to convince this African woman to stick around because she is the sole object of his affection — hence the ‘Only You‘. In his own words: “this song tells much about the most beautiful and wonderful woman whom I cannot get out of my mind.”

This first single of Lilkid for the year is going to be part of his longawaited album from which preceding singles like ‘Lawyer‘ released April 2018 dropped. The mixing for ‘Only You‘ was done by ItzCJ Beats. “After I downloaded the beat online,” [explained Lilkid] ItzCJ Beats did an amazing work at mixing it all.

“I know my new single will have all the ingredients to make all listeners jump into their favorite afrobeat dance because I always try hard to connect to my fans through every single project I release, this single is no different at all,” the musician said.

“A lot of people have stuck by me since day one and this track is dedicated to them, my number one fan, of course, being my mother and immediate family who give me reasons to keep pushing and always dishing out eargasms for my fans worldwide. I also dedicate this new one to Babyanka and all others supporting #LilkidMusic,” he said in a shoutout.

Music lovers can check out Lilkid on Instagram as Lilkid and Twitter as @LilkidmusicGH, also his audibly delightful new afrobeat track is available online at his official SoundCloud via this link https://soundcloud.com/user-231707142/lilkid-only-you

Written by Oral Ofori Source: TheAfricanDream.net

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2019

COGA Celebrates Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary In Washington DC Metro

Citations Were Given to Individuals for Years of Support to COGA (Group Nduom, Nana Kofi Agyenim Boateng-Former Asantefoohene of Washington Metro, and Mr. Charles Ofori a CPA and Philantropist)

Ghanaians in the Washington metro area under the auspices of the Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA) marked the 62nd independence celebration of Ghana on Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the plush La Fontaine Bleau event center in Lanham.

The aim of this event was not only to celebrate but to raise funds to provide beds to hospitals in Ghana.

The event was sponsored by South African Airways and World Remit money Transfer Company.

Speaking at the function, the representative for the South African Airways noted that the Dulles-Accra route has seen a lot of growth and as a result, the frequency of flight will be increased and a new aircraft put on the route.

World Remit appealed to the community to take advantage of their promotions and good services for effective money transfer to Ghana.

The chairman of COGA, Mr. Henry Adu called on all Ghanaians to join hands to help put Ghana where it should be. He continued to point that we can start this by joining the various associations that belong to COGA and contribute our quota to national development. He appealed to those working in the health sector to keep an eye on beds that may be marked for replacement for COGA to get this information and get them shipped to Ghana.

The Head of Consular Affairs of the Ghana Embassy to the United States of America, Mr. Joseph Ngminebayiih, speaking on behalf of the Ambassador, Dr. Barfour Adjei Barwuah, noted that Ghana, as we all want her to be, is not what we have now but collectively we can all bring her to where she belongs. He called on all to help COGA achieve the goals that have been set in order to achieve selfdependence as a nation.

He also called on all to verify news information on visa sanctions on Ghana as some of the news items are not accurate. He called on Ghanaians to abide by and show respect to the laws of the United States of America.

Mr. Gabriel Pomary, the chairman of the event who is also the chief executive officer of Intraworld Travel

Traditional Representatives and Members from Various Associations

Systems, thanked South African Airways for the confidence reposed in Ghana and the expected improvement in service on the Dulles –Accra route.

He also took the opportunity to invite all to come to celebrate 400 years since the middle passage and the arrival of slaves in the USA. The government of Ghana has declared the year 2019 for this event in Ghana. He also noted some achievements of COGA in securing landing rights at BWI airport for the national airline, Ghana Airways, in 2000. COGA also participated actively in the Millennium challenge meeting that helped build a development partnership between Ghana and the USA. Mr. Gabriel Pomary, stressed that by choosing to provide beds to hospitals in Ghana, COGA has chosen a noble path to help fellow countrymen and women. He noted that one noble thing we all need to aspire to be to make a difference in someone’s life and be each other’s keeper. Members were called upon to be altruistic in their contributions for a noble cause to be realized.

The chairman of COGA, Mr. Henry Adu, and the vice chairman, Mr. Julius Caesar presented awards to Otafrebuo Nana Agyeim Boateng Pedie Bogyamwehene/Amoafoman, Akwamuhene in Ghana, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nkrumah Ofori of Ofori and Associates, and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, President and Chief Executive Officer of Group Nduom, for their outstanding contributions to COGA.

Dr. Mrs. Faustina Quist, secretary to COGA and President of Volta Association led the fundraising event where men were pitted against women. Two lucky members of the community won two raffle tickets donated by South Africa Airways.

Music for the night was provided by DJ Rek who bridged the gap between old and new schools of music in Ghana. The MCs for the evening were the indefatigable William Adzimahe and Professor Margaret Tabiri, the lady with the angelic and mellifluous voice.

Source:modernghana.com

South African Airways Rep. Presenting Tickets to Raffle Winners

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South Africa’s President Stranded Aboard Public Train March

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Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president had a taste of public service glitch as a metro train he boarded on Monday morning failed to take off on time.

The exact reason for the over two-hour delay was not immediately clear but it forced the president to bemoan its effect on routine of commuters and productivity.

Ramaphosa was commuting from Soshanguve to the capital Pretoria where he was supposed to join a meeting of the top brass of the ruling African National Congress, ANC.

The way people are transported is not ideal, this not how we want to see working people being transported, some of them are students and some of them are job seekers. You just really destroy their enthusiasm about getting into a public transportation system like this.

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First-ever children’s Museum of African culture in the U.S. coming to Baltimore

“The facility will have an elaborate and dramatic entrance that will involve dance, music and traditional dress that sets the atmosphere for the visitors to experience Africa.

“Securing a large space would also allow us to offer classes and exhibitions daily, weekly or monthly as desired. Besides using local talent, we expect to be able to invite skilled craftspeople from Africa to host and teach their wonderful skills in African drumming, wood carving, pottery, basket weaving, jewelry making, Kente and other textile weaving, art, dance, and cooking,” it adds.

Baltimore will host the first-ever children’s museum of African culture and history in the United States which will educate, inspire, and The facility is also expected to lease space to connect children in America to discover and vendors to operate African gift shops, bookexperience the true Africa. stores, African restaurants, travel agencies, among others alongside an extensive non-circuThe Sankofa Children’s Museum of African lating children’s library and a resource library Cultures was founded by Ghanaian immifor adults to further their knowledge of African grant, Esther “Mama Kiki” Armstrong, who culture. is the owner of the Sankofa African & World Bazaar shop in Baltimore that sells African “The mission of the Sankofa Children’s tribal art, ethnic clothing and assorted gifts.

Museum of African Cultures, Inc. is to bridge the gap between the untold story of Africa and what is generally shown on TV or what little is Living in America for over 30 years as a U.S. taught in American classrooms,” it states. citizen, Armstrong hopes to cultivate children’s interest in African cultures and encourThis summer, the Sankofa Children’s Museum age a love of learning of other cultures of African Cultures is preparing to open its through play and other interactive activities. doors in Park Heights, Esther “Mama Kiki” “We feel strongly… that by empowering our Armstrong told CBS Baltimore. children with the pride and respect that comes from the knowledge of their history and con- “We have to realize that the history of black nection to their roots prior to the Transatlantic America, for instance, does not start with slavery. There is a whole lot of history and a whole Slave trade, we would be making a major lot of civilization before the white men ever set contribution to their sense of identity and foot in Africa,” she said. self-esteem, and perhaps help prevent the negative behaviors that we see exhibited on so many different levels today,” she stated on “They might not even know that they’re learning. But we will introduce ideas and concepts the museum’s website. that they could participate in, and thereby learn “The mission of Sankofa Children’s Museum the history of Africa,” she added. of African Cultures, Inc. is to build and operate a world-class living and interactive chilhttps://face2faceafrica.com dren’s African museum in Baltimore for the benefit of the Baltimore communities and all visitors that embrace learning,” Mama Kiki added.

In 2017, The Sankofa Team appealed for support to raise $22,000 to secure a temporary facility in the Baltimore area that will host the museum for a year. This goal was not achieved as the GoFundMe page only generated a little over $2,000 as at 2019.

However, the dream is still alive as the team is still seeking funding to secure a permanent facility that will be large enough to house exhibits showcasing four regions of the continent of Africa with each section offering the children various aspects of its countries and ethnic groups, states the museum’s website.

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Why Cyclone Idai Could be the Deadliest Tropical Cyclone to Hit Africa

Tropical Cyclone Idai tore through Mozambique as a top of the line Category 2 storm with 175 kph (110 mph) winds a week ago before moving inland into Zimbabwe and Malawi, affecting 1.5 million individuals afterward.

Aid agency authorities have said that 90% of the Mozambique city of Beira has been “obliterated” by the violent wind, cautioning that in excess of 500,000 individuals there have been impacted.While the official loss of life remains at 84 in Mozambique, it’s relied upon to rise altogether.

On Monday, President Filipe Nyusi said that “everything shows that we can have a record of more than 1,000 dead.”If that gauge is affirmed, Idai would be the deadliest tropical typhoon on record to hit a place in Africa.

As we learn more about its devastating path, here’s what you need to know.

How does Cyclone Idai compare to recent super storms?

Around midnight on Thursday night, the tropical cyclone made landfall as an equivalent borderline Category 2/Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, with maximum winds at around 175 kph. This is close to the same intensity that Hurricane Irma had when it hit Florida in 2017, which was 185 kph.

Irma spent three days as a Category 5 hurricane, the longest Category 5 hurricane since satellite storm-tracking began. At a total of 37 hours, no storm on record has maintained winds 185 kph or above for as long as Irma.

It prompted the largest evacuation in the history of the Bahamas — and potentially the largest in the US. Tropical Cyclone Idai’s winds reached peak intensity of 195 kph (Category 3 on Saffir Simpson scale) on March 14, but unlike Irma, which weakened significantly before hitting the US, Idai made landfall less than 24 hours after reaching its peak intensity.

A NASA aerial image shows Cyclone Idai on Wednesday, prior to making landfall.

If Idai’s death toll reaches 1,000 people, it would be the deadliest tropical cyclone anywhere since Super Typhoon Haiyan, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, struck the Philippines in 2013 and killed more than 7,000 people.

You just compared a tropical cyclone to a hurricane. Is there any difference between the two?

Nope. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones are the exact same thing — they just have different names depending on the part of the world in which they occur.

In the southern hemisphere, these storms spin in the opposite direction from hurricanes and typhoons in the northern hemisphere.

How common are typhoons in Mozambique?

Tropical cyclones hit Mozambique rarely, but are not unusual. They get a hurricane strength storm — with winds greater than 120 kph — a couple times per decade, on average.

Idai was the strongest tropical cyclone to hit the country since 2008, when Tropical Cyclone Jokwe, which had maximum winds of 185 kph, made landfall.

Tropical Storm Eline struck the same region in 2000 and killed around 800 people. Eline, which had winds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane when it hit, is currently listed as the deadliest African tropical cyclone — or anywhere in the southern hemisphere.

However Idai is already one of the deadliest storms to ever strike anywhere in the southern hemisphere and it could end up topping that list.

Will Tropical Cyclone Idai be the biggest storm this year?

That’s unlikely. There will probably be 10 or more storms this year on the planet that cultivate stronger (higher winds) than Idai.

We are still months away from the global peak of hurricane/typhoon season for the planet, which happens in the northern hemisphere, where a majority of the earth’s tropical cyclones occur.

That season begins in late summer/early fall.

However, when you combine the flooding rainfall before Cyclone Idai formed — during the storm and then after landfall — few storms will likely have the same impact it did in southern Africa.

And while Idai’s impact has been devastating, this storm doesn’t come anywhere near a record for the world’s “strongest or biggest storms.”

In 1979, Typhoon Tip, a hurricane with a diameter measuring the distance between New York and Dallas, Texas, measured speeds of 300 kph per hour. It did not however, make landfall.

Why did Idai have such a devastating impact on Mozambique?

The coastal city of Beira, Mozambique, which was ground zero for the cyclone’s landfall, is very vulnerable to storm surge due to its lowlying location.

Much of the city was likely inundated by the storm surge running ashore. The storm surge, which measured by the height of the ocean above normal at the coastline, has been estimated to be more than 4 meters (almost 15 feet) in the case of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Did climate change play a part in this?

Put simply, yes. Warmer air and waters result in more moisture in the atmosphere that is available for storms.

And as we saw with Hurricane Harvey and last year’s Hurricane Florence, climate change is resulting in more abundant rainfall-producing tropical cyclones and hurricanes.

Mozambique ranks as the third most vulnerable nation in Africa to climate change due to its susceptibility to extreme weather such as floods, droughts and cyclones, according to the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.

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NPP USA Hosts Minister Mavis Gambia's Barrow Parts Ways with Hawa Koomson Vice President

On March 15th, 2019, the Honorable cabinet minister, Honourable Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister for Special Initiatives & Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, paid a courtesy call on the USA, NPP-NY Chapter during her working visit.

On her part, she used the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to the Chapter for their financial contributions as well as humanitarian interventions in some critical rural communities in Ghana.

Chairman, Mr. Issah Ballah Saeed, pointed out that though the depreciation comparative to the previous administration is steady, we promised the good people of Ghana to do better and we need to deliver on that with the port tariffs & policies which has also been a major concern to all in the diaspora.

The Minister briefly addressed both issues by adding that “as a member of deliberations in the cabinet, she can confirm that rigorous steps being taken to address the depreciating dollar and that it The Minister, who plays a key role on the was a major concern to everyone, especially the Vice President who is also the supervisory board overseeing the 'One constituency, one million dollars" policy, head of the economic management also took time to outline some of the over team.” three thousand projects that had so far been undertaken and ongoing in conjunc- She further assured the members that tion with the respective MCE's & DCE's Ghanaians should expect some improvement after the finance minister returned in the various constituencies. from his current roadshow.

She also gave the Chapter her unreserved The Minister, in closing, thanked all pledge that the two hundred & seventymembers and pleaded with them to exerfive (275) ambulances promised will be arriving in Ghana before the close of the cise patience and have faith in the government of President Nana Akufo-Addo second quarter of 2019 as anticipated. to make good on promises made to the people of Ghana before its mandate The Chapter then took advantage of the cabinet Minister's visit to send some mes- ends. sages of concerns to the Presidency, top Jomo, on that list is the depreciating cedi against the dollar.

NPP NY Communications.

Speaking for the chapter, the Vice

10

President Adama Barrow President Adama Barrow sacked vice president, Ousainou Darboe - a man he always described as his 'political Godfather.'

"You can jail Ousainou Darboe, but you can't take his knowledge from him," Barrow once said of Mr. Darboe.

of sections 70 (5) (a), 71(4) (b) and Sections 70(3) and 71(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia has made the following changes to his cabinet with effect from 15th March 2019: Ousainou Darboe (born 8 August 1948) is a Gambian politician and lawyer who has served as Vice-President of the Gambia and Minister of Women's Affairs since June 2018, under President Adama Barrow. Darboe formerly served as Barrow's Minister of Foreign Affairs from February 2017 to June 2018.

Mr. Barrow acted on his executive powers, the very powers he earlier criticised Yahya Jammeh for using, thereby sacking three ministers.

Darboe is married with two wives and several children. His eldest daughter, Mariama, is a graduate of Tulane University in the United States.

He also fired two other ministers from his Cabinet: Amadou Sanneh, the minister Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment and Lamin N. Dibba, minister of Agriculture.

Below reads the news release from the Office of the President on the sacking of the trio:

"STATEHOUSE, BANJUL, 15th MARCH 2019 -

His Excellency, Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia acting under the provisions

He is a sports enthusiast and served as vice president of the Gambian National Olympic and Sports Committee for several years, as well as chairman of the Gambia Wrestling Federation.

–Source: allafrica.com

The Example

Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah

It is said that writers, particularly poets, produce their best and most profound works after going through a painful and devastating experience or tragedy. I make no such claim today with this article, but it is a painful experience which prompts me to write this piece. Out of pain we grow and out of difficult and heartbreaking episodes we become more experienced, more careful and more philosophical about ourselves, our lives, our co-existence with others and our place and purpose in God’s world.

To begin, let me ask: have you ever felt your heart break? I mean really feel it breaking and crumbling inside your chest and the pain is so real, so hurtful you cry, not because you want to, but because the pain forces itself out of you? Or have you ever been injured so terribly that again you feel the implosions in your heart and instead of acknowledging you have been hurt, you turn to anger, your go to defense mechanism, and express your rage and fierce disapproval with fire and brimstone all in display of disastrous proportions?

But you are more hurt than angry. I am sure you have found yourself in at least one of these situations. You have felt the injury and succumbed to the tears or even the outrage and surrendered to the anger.

Let me tell you about the aftermath of one episode. Hours and even days after, I was still in pain. I could still feel a terrible aching in my heart as it continually tore in pieces and crumbled over and over again. Then I would become angry once again that this person had assaulted me so terribly and what was more painful was that it was completely unwarranted, for I had not inserted myself in her way whatsoever, but somehow, she found it fit to assault me verbally and emotionally in the midst of several others. I relived the offense as it continually asserted itself in my mind’s eye and resound in my ears.

There was no doubt I was hurt, for I privately shed tears. I, one who has been described as iron, choked up even days after the episode.

And then the anger stirring in me begins to work its way into rage and all I see is that my imagination runs wild depicting me having both hands around the neck of the offender choking her, stomping on her repeatedly, attempting to snuff the living daylights out of her, all because of the pain she had inflicted upon me. Then suddenly, I literally shake my head, attempting to snap the dark images out of my mind and return to my rightful consciousness, for how could one, how could I, ever entertain such violent and vengeful thoughts? It is completely against decorum and all dignity, but somehow, it felt as if it would be the only appeasement to my injury and more importantly, my fury. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but if we allow it, our imagination and Satan, the enemy of all righteousness, can lead us to a very dark and foreign path. My mother says “Christ makes the difference.” It is a truth I hold dear, for repeatedly, He has been my salvation in more than one way.

As flesh and blood, when we are injured terribly, we often become angry and want to avenge ourselves. However, it isn’t so much that we become angry, but that we choose anger. The fact is that we choose anger and not pain, for anger can empower us; it can justify us, while we believe pain only weakens us and reveals our vulnerability, our victimization, and who wants to be perceived as a victim?

Certainly not I. Yet, although anger gives us strength and motivation to defend ourselves and dominate the offender by our own means, and hurt them as much as they have hurt us, it simply isn’t the best choice and to choose and/or yield to anger will not prove our best moments. Would engaging in a shouting match, terribly insulting or stomping the life out of another ever produce our best moments?

As a child of God, while you are going through these severe feelings of anger, you begin to hear or feel a prodding advising calmness, calmness. It advises to let it go; forgive the offense; remain silent, but sometimes while you know very well it will be better to let it go, your pride and hurt will not allow it. You feel you have to avenge yourself. You have to give in to your anger and allow yourself to vent or even explode, giving that offender pound for pound.

But it is for our best moments which we must strive. And it is for our finer moments that we have the benefit of Christ as our example. With all the malintended aggravations and conspiracies that Christ faced, He taught us through His life’s work that we must never succumb to or choose anger, but rather pain. Choosing

March

the pain is enduring the hurt without avenging ourselves. For we have a greater purpose ahead of us. After all, that Man of Sorrow bore all our pains and suffering so that we “may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

The one time that we see Christ angry was in defense of the temple of the Lord.

The Bible narrates that, “… the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise” (John 2: 13-16).

The example of Christ demonstrates that the defense of the word, the Lord, His house, is the sort of anger we should respond to in righteous indignation. It should never be in defense of ourselves, for the Bible has already instructed us to die to the self as Galatians 5:24 states, "and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" and the Bible further teaches that even if we should become angry, we should not permit our anger to cause us to sin (Eph. 4:26). Additionally, the Bible warns, “… never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). So if God has already promised to deal with those who offend us, why do we bother?

Time and again, Christ showed that it was best to remain silent when offended, when wrongfully accused and even when stricken, than to retaliate. Retaliation is a result of choosing anger instead of forgiveness. It is a sinful act of satisfying the self instead of obeying the ways of the Lord. By defending ourselves through our anger verbally or physically, we set aside God’s instructions and take matters into our own hands. We depose Him as our Lord and position ourselves as our own maker and god. We also say with our actions that instead of choosing Christ, we choose us. Of course it is painful to be hurt, disrespected, abused or betrayed by another, especially a loved one or someone we trust so deeply or even another that we snobbishly perceive is not our equal in many ways. But that offense serves as a temptation or test to which we must not succumb, but overcome.

Christ was a model of restraint. He lived that exemplary life to demonstrate to us that we too can have those same virtues. He repeatedly forgave His offenders while also setting free those who were being persecuted

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because of their transgression. When falsely accused, He held His tongue.

Even when He was painfully enduring the excruciating violence of crucifixion, He agonizingly cried out “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Acknowledging the agony inflicted on us, though it might expose our vulnerability, is far more honorable than responding in anger, which will not only cause us to disgrace ourselves, but also fall out of the will of God. So don’t permit the enemy to take your mind, heart and actions to a place of no return. Do not allow anger to get the best of you.

Certainly, do not entertainment any means of vengeance, for these suggestions of anger are all a plot of the enemy to alter the course of your life for the worse. Let’s be reminded that the Bible warns us that we should “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1st Peter 5: 8). Although it feels so natural and justified, anger is a tool of the enemy and he is ready to use it at minimum to compromise and complicate our lives and at most, to destroy us. Should we permit it to destroy us? If we do, we are giving in to the enemy’s machinations of manipulation. Can we afford that?

Our only acceptable recourse is to turn to Christ and His example.

The only prescription is to allow His word to heal the hurt and take away the anger, even as we exercise grace to forgive the offender. Instead of responding to an offense with a fit of rage, we should be strong, wise and humble enough to say, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”; then we can be sure that we are following the example of Christ and making our best moments.

These 5 Countries Are Known to Have the Best Quality Roads in the African Continent

One of the essential factors for economic growth is domestic and international transportation, thus, road infrastructure needs to be maintained and updated regularly.

In Africa, some countries have made huge investments in improving road network and infrastructure to enjoy the benefits thereof, cites the 2017 – 2018 annual Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum.

The Global Competitiveness Report index tracks the performance of about 140 countries on 12 pillars of competitiveness, including the quality of road infrastructure development.

Eswatini

Though the majority of the population in the country live in abject poverty with the State noted for stifling dissent and mass protests, Eswatini boasts of a good network of tarred roads, making it convenient for tourists to access its various landmarks and attractions. Ranked 39 (with a score of 4.7) and third best in Africa, the country, according to Nations Encyclopaedia, has a good road network with 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) of roads, 28 per cent of which was paved by 1997.

Though some African countries have performed poorly, the following African countries are leading the way in terms of the best road quality and infrastructure, overtaking some world economic giants like China, Italy and India.

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Which is the longest road in Africa?

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At a length of 2 255 kilometres, the N2 is the longest tarred road and the longest numbered route in South Africa. This national road runs from the docks in Cape Town to the town of Ermelo in Mpumalanga. Statistically, it's South Africa's most dangerous road – as well as one of the most dangerous in the world.

Are there roads in Africa?

While North Africa and West Africa are linked across the Sahara, the main deficiency of the network is that there are no paved highways across Central Africa. Not only does this prevent road trade between East and West Africa, or between West and Southern Africa, but it restricts trade within Central Africa.

How long would it take to drive across Africa?

Pic credit: ARQ – Consulting Engineers

Morocco

Namibia

Pic credit: Unfamiliar Destinations

Due to its strategic location and its proximity to Europe that enables it to be among the top destinations for tourists, the Moroccan government has over the years invested in rural infrastructure, providing access to water and electricity and of course good roads. The country ranked fourth best in Africa and 52 globally, beating global giants like Italy and Belgium.

It is on the top of the list, having the best quality roads infrastructure in Africa and some of the best across the world. Ranked 31 out of 137 countries (with a score of 5.0 out of 7), Nambia beat economic giants like China, India and Italy, who were ranked 42, 55 and 45 respectively. Media reports have attributed Namibia’s progress in road infrastructure to its establishment of its Roads Authority in April 2000 that has paid attention to roads that were hitherto abandoned, contributing to socio-economic development.

Pic credit: Wikipedia

Mauritius The most democratic country in Africa has roads that are in fairly good conditions with safety signs and a network for those who would want to take a tour of the island. It ranked 48 globally with a score of 4.5.

Pic credit: Africa-OnTheRise

Rwanda Since the 1994 genocide, the Rwandan government has made a large investment in the transport infrastructure with aid from China, Japan, the European Union, among others. Ranked second best in Africa (with a score of 5.0), the country’s primary roads are well maintained. Its national roads both paved and unpaved which are in good conditions stand at 71.4 per cent, according to figures from the Rwandan ministry of infrastructure. This year, the government announced moves to invest more in transport infrastructure in order to “plug domestic road network gaps and stimulate economic growth.”

Pic credit: ARQ – Consulting Engineers

Why does it still take so long to drive across Africa? Google Maps optimistically estimates that it would take 75 hours to drive non-stop from Lagos to Nairobi, the major commercial hubs in west and east Africa.

How long is Africa from north to south?

Africa's total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles (30,365,000 square km), and the continent measures about 5,000 miles (8,000 km) from north to south and about 4,600 miles (7,400 km) from east to west

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Nigeria’s Yoruba Language Is Second Most Spoken Foreign Language In Baltimore Schools

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eign-based students are natives of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Pakistan.

The increase in immigrant enrollment has compelled school officials to come up with new ways of teaching as immigrant students tend to grapple with the English language.

At Bedford Elementary, for example, teachers are adding pictures, graphs and charts to their lessons to facilitate learning for those whose native tongue is not English.

Teachers are also getting training from the school’s ESOL — English for Speakers of Other Languages – teacher. Under this programme, immigrant students receive extra help with English to make them academically proficient in the language as native speakers, the report noted.

School authorities further identify objects at the premises with vocabulary labels in three of the languages spoken there – English, French, and Spanish.

Baltimore has seen an increase in enrollment over the past few years, and this is largely from immigrants. Pic credit: The Baltimore Sun

The city of Baltimore, U.S., has a record of helping immigrants, both documented and undocumented by creating a welcoming environment for them as compared to other cities.

Its school system has, therefore, seen an increase in enrollment over the past few years, and this is largely from immigrants. These immigrant students, according to school officials, are enriching their schools but there is a problem.

Aside from finding additional seats and logistics, most of these students are struggling to catch up with the written and spoken English since their native tongue is not English.

According to a report by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore County has, within five years, added more than 5,000 students to its fold. More than half of the students, that is, about 3,500, are recent immigrants or children whose families speak another language.

From 3.9 per cent of students that spoke English as a second language five years ago, the figure has increased to 6.7 per cent.

Currently, the second most commonly spoken foreign language in Baltimore County schools after Spanish is Yoruba, a language predominantly spoken in West Africa, particularly, Nigeria.

Nigerians are increasing in number in Baltimore because they already have a family in the area and are in the country legally under rules that allow for immigration for the purpose of reunifying families, said the report by The Baltimore Sun.

Statistics from the Migration Policy Institute state that nationally, the Nigerian population grew more than 50 per cent from 2010 to 2017. There are now about 12,000 Nigerians living in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Many of them were doctors, engineers, and other professionals in Nigeria and have moved to Baltimore to regain their status.

Officials say that across the system, students in Baltimore come from 116 countries and speak 97 different languages. Apart from Nigeria, most of these for-

Once the students catch up, they even perform academically well than their American mates, said county officials. https://face2faceafrica.com

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Ghanaian Professor installed as Principal of University of Toronto Scarborough

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5 Caribbean mother tongues that developed from West African languages March

Africa and the Caribbean share a strong bond through history that has affected both lands. Today, close to 70% of people from the Caribbean trace their roots to Africa with the majority closely linked to West Africa, some parts of Central Africa and a smaller percentage from East Africa.

The Atlantic slave trade, which started in the 15th century lasting through to the 19th century saw aproximately 5 million, if not more Africans forced into slavery in the Caribbean alone.

The Africans forced into a new life in the New World took with them their traditions, culture, food and religious practices and languages which blended with the cultures of their new life – Western culture

Several communities in the Caribbean and parts of South America remain 75-100% very African through their everyday practices .

A Ghanaian Professor, Wisdom Tettey, was on Tuesday, February 25, 2019 installed as the Vice President and Principal of the University of Toronto-Scarborough in the largest city of Canada.

He is the first Black person to head the campus.

His installation took place at the Scarborough campus of the University of Toronto amidst academic pageantry with the blasting of Ghanaian traditional song in the background.

The ceremony was well attended by dignitaries and academia including the Vice Chancellor, academic staff, students and family members/representatives from the Toronto Ghanaian community.

According to the official publication (May, 2018) of the University of Toronto, Professor Wisdom Tettey, a political scientist who is a leading researcher on the African diaspora, politics and media, was appointed the new vice-president and principal of the University of Toronto Scarborough last year.

Tettey, who used to be the Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, would serve a five-year term at the University of Toronto-Scarborough.

“Tettey has been at UBC’s Okanagan campus for the past seven years, initially leading the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and then the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. Prior to UBC, he spent 13 years at the University of Calgary and before that was at Queen’s University, where he received his PhD in political studies and began his academic career".

Prof. Wisdom Tettey was a product of Legon before heading to Canada.

The Ghanaian community in Canada and indeed, Ghanaians in Diaspora are very proud of Prof. Tettey’s lofty achievement in the academia in Canada.

https://www.ghanaweb.com

The enslaved Africans spoke their languages in their new homes until they were stopped from doing so by their white masters. Nevertheless, they continued to speak it in secrecy until Maroon settlements began to develop where the languages were spoken all the time.

While trying to communicate with their masters, the enslaved Africans picked up several languages such as Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and English which eventually mixed with their languages developing new languages altogether.

Here are 5 Caribbean mother tongues that trace their origins to Africa.

Haitian Creole

Described as the most spoken Creole language in the world, Haitian Creole is spoken by about 10 million people worldwide. The language developed around the 17th century when enslaved Africans got into contact with French and Spanish people. The language is also referred to as Kreyol and is a blend of both Western and African Languages. Haitian Creole or Kreyol blends 17th century French with a bit of Spanish and Portuguese with the African languages Fon from Dahomey, now Benin, Ewe from Ghana, Yoruba and Igbo from present-day Nigeria and the Kwa languages traced from parts of Ivory Coast and Ghana believed to be Akan. The language was developed by the enslaved Africans through attempts to communicate with the masters in addition to the loss of their mother languages from Africa as the years went by. By 1987, Haitian Creole had become the country’s official language with more than 7 million speakers and another 2.5 to 3 million speakers outsside the country.

Kromanti

Kromanti is officially the third language in Jamaica linked to the Maroons who by the 17th century were noted as rebels who freed themselves from slavery and lived far from plantations on their own. The Kromanti language is directly connected to the Akans of Ghana who speak the Akan language and are from the coast and Ashanti regions of Ghana. The language was spoken among enslaved Africans in Jamaica who were later banned from speaking it by their slave masters leaving it to be preserved among

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the Maroons. From the 17th through to early parts of the 19th century, the language was spoken as a way of resisting westernisation but later became a way of communication with the African ancestors towards the end of the 19th century. It is possible the language was named after the Fanti town in Ghana, Kormantse in the Central Region very close to Cape Coast where captured Africans were kept until they were shipped to the new world.

Jamaican Patois

Today, Patois or Patwa as it has globally come to be called is one of the most imitated languages in the world especially in show business due to its uniqueness and almost musical feel. Described as Jamaican Creole, the language developed among the plantations after the banning of African indigenous languages. While Kromanti was spoken by the Maroons, Patois developed among the enslaved workers who needed to communicate with each other. Jamaican Patois is a blend of English language with West African languages mainly Akan from Ghana and Yoruba from Nigeria.

Papiamento

Papiamento is a creole language spoken widely among the Dutch-speaking islands of the Caribbean mainly Aruba and Curacao. The language is a blend of Dutch, Spanish and indigenous languages from Cape Verde and Guinea- Bissau. It is the official language in Aruba and Curacao and is spoken in some parts of Bonaire. The language developed as early as the 15th century and has since evolved.

Sranan

Sranan is the official language in Suriname and is fully known as Sranan Tongo which means Surinamese tongue.

Very similar to the Haitian Creole, the language is of African origin blended with English and Dutch. The African languages identified in Sranan are mainly Akan from Ghana and a bit of other languages like Ewe from Ghana and a bit of Yoruba. The language developed in the 16th century and is to date spoken by the people of Suriname.

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Top 10 happiest African Countries in The Congolese Man who was 2019 Exhibited at Bronx Zoo for 10 years

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Ghana makes the biggest leap this year making its way into Africa’s top ten list after ranking at number 98 on the global chart. In 2018, the country was Africa’s 11th happiest country after ranking at number 108 but features at number 7 this year.

Benin

Benin makes its first entry into the top ten list in Africa. Coming in at number 9 for Africa, the country is at 102 on the global list in 2019 after ranking 136 in 2018.

The latest World Happiness Report has been released to mark the UN’s World Happiness Day. According to the report, no African country made it to the top 10 or 50 with the first African country coming in at number 57.

Every year, the list is released after in-depth research based on factors such as countries with proper analytical data that can provide valid reasons for the ranking as well as factors such as the time series of healthy life expectancy at birth based on data from the World Health Organization.

They also factor in a country’s average individual social support, GDP per capita, generosity, perceptions of corruption, measures of emotional negativity and positivity based on worry, sadness, and anger, happiness, laughter, and enjoyment as well as freedom to make life choices.

Data for these eight categories are collected separately by various research bodies who use mediums such as social media and individual assessments to critically put together the scores and ranking.

Out of the world’s 195 countries, the 2019 World’s Happiness Report ranked 156 countries.

The latest report featured three new countries while three other countries lost their place. West Africa ranked as the happiest African region in general with a total of 6 out of 10 countries.

French-speaking countries also topped the African list with 5 countries and English-speaking countries were the least happy.

Congo Brazzaville Congo Brazzaville also follows closely behind Benin as Africa’s number 10 and world’s number 102. Just like Benin, the country was not in Africa’s 2018 top ten list and was the world’s 114th as well.

Cameroon As the world’s number 96, Cameroon is the 6th happiest country in Africa. The country moves 3 steps up on the global ranking and one step up on the top ten list in Africa.

Morocco Morocco also sees a decline in happiness as it is now Africa’s 5th happiest country ranking at 89 on the global chart following closely behind Algeria. In 2018, the country was Africa’s number 4 leading Nigeria as the world’s number 85, a position that Nigeria has now taken.

Algeria Moving one step down, Algeria is now the 4th happiest country in Africa after ranking as the world’s 88th. In 2018, the country was Africa’s number 3 and world’s number 84.

Nigeria Nigeria comes in as the third happiest country in Africa and the world’s 85th happiest country out of the 156 countries on the list. Despite political and economic frustration, Nigeria climbed up 6 places on the global ranking from 2018 and 2 places up on the 2018 top ten happiest African countries list taking Algeria’s position.

Libya Believe it or not, Libya is still the second happiest country in Africa as it ranks 72nd on the global list also falling two steps down from the 2018 ranking where it ranked at 70.

Mauritius Ranking on the global list at number 57 of 156, Mauritius is the first African country on the list making it the happiest country on the African continent. This comes as no surprise as the country is noted for its peaceful governance and people. The beautiful island also makes a huge amount of money from tourism and is reviewed as peaceful by several tourists and visitors. The country retains its number one position despite falling two steps down from the 2019 ranking.

Ota Benga at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904 Ever heard of Ota Benga? Well, he was a Congolese Mbuti pygmy who was inhumanely and insensitively featured together with other pygmies at an anthropology exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1904 and at the Bronx Zoo in New York City together with other animals in 1906.

Born circa 1883, Ota Benga was brought to the United States after being purchased from slave traders by Samuel Phillips Verner, an American missionary, anthropologist and businessman.

Contracted by the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Verner came to Africa in 1904 to “hunt” for pygmies for the exhibition.

After the exhibition, Benga, together with the other pygmies were returned to Congo by Verner. He stayed with the Batwa tribe for a while but opted to move back to the United States with Verner.

On his return, Verner briefly housed Benga at the American Museum of Natural History then moved him to the Bronx Zoo in 1906 where he was exhibited together with the other animals.

Initially hired as a help in the zoo, Benga was later on used as an exhibit after the director of the zoo noticed visitors took a keen interest in him.

According to Mitch Keller in “The Scandal at the Zoo” article for The New York Times, “When New Yorkers went to the Bronx Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 8, 1906, they were treated to something novel at the Monkey House.” He

Ivory Coast Sharing borders with Ghana, Ivory Coast follows its neighbouring West African country at number 8 on the African list and at number 99 on the global list. The French-speaking country has also made a leap after it ranked as world’s number 107 and Africa’s number 10 in 2018.

Ghana

photo: yuvamauritius.com

Benga (second from left) with the Batwa in St. Louis

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further on added, “At first, some people weren’t sure what it was. It — he — seemed much less a monkey than a man, though a very small, dark one with grotesquely pointed teeth. He wore modern clothing but no shoes. He was proficient with bow and arrow, and entertained the crowd by shooting at a target. He displayed skill at weaving with twine, made amusing faces and drank soda.”

Benga’s treatment was strongly condemned by several African-American tabloids. A petition to release him from the Bronx Zoo was also sent to the then Mayor of New York City George B. McClellan Jr by Dr R. S. MacArthur, the spokesperson for a delegation of black churches.

The Mayor succumbed to the pressure and released Benga who was then sent to the Howard Colored Orphan Asylum. He was later on relocated to Lynchburg, Virginia where he lived until his death.

After an unsuccessful attempt to move back to Africa, Benga became depressed and shot himself in the heart with a stolen pistol on March 20, 1916. He was 32.

FRANCIS AKHALBEY https://face2faceafrica.com

Ota Benga at the Bronx Zoo in 1906

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AJ Nelson joins Africa and internation- Admira António Is Mozambique al acts at Afrocentric ‘Asa Baako’ fest Airlines’ First Woman Pilot Afrikan

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lates from the Twi language of Ghana to mean ‘one dance’ in English, it is very important for me to use my gift of music to channel an energy of oneness for Africa,” AJ Nelson told TheAfricanDream.net.

Afrocentric Musician from Ghana AJ Nelson after releasing his Africa Rise album in November 2018 is performing at this year’s ‘Asa Baako‘ (one dance) festival in the company of other established music acts. ‘Asa Baako‘ raised its 2019 curtain on March 6 — the 62nd independence anniversary of Ghana.

As part of kicking ‘Asa Baako‘ off to celebrate Ghana’s attainment of independence from British colonial rule with performances of songs from his latest ‘Africa Rise‘ album, AJ Nelson will also embark on a media tour starting March 15 from the Fizzles Platinum in Dansoman, Accra Ghana.

‘Asa Baako‘ is an annual festival hosted for 5 days in March (6th-10th March) that involves beach games, live music, parties, and other environmentally friendly activities at Busua and Takoradi in the Western region of Ghana.

“Yes we are here to engage in one dance, but we are also here especially starting this significant day of Ghana’s independence to remind ourselves of what our founding fathers led by Ghana’s first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah really wanted for all Africa — total liberation,” continued AJ Nelson, who believes music is a powerful force for change and that the African you is capable of using to advance the continent.

Some other Ghanaian acts at ‘Asa Baako‘ this year are Abena Rockstar, BBrave who is a hybrid of Ghana and France lineage, VimTinz, and Sekondi Abrantie. Nigeria is represented by performers like Suleiman The Maverick, DJ Sensei Lo, and Azizza. Ivorian acts like DJ Chabela, Troy Sylva, and Inga Paula will hold down the beat for Ivory Coast.

Performers from the United Kingdom to spice up the Afrocentric festival include T.Roy, Dr. Meaker, DJ Expressions and DJ Nickie Cartel while DJ Gwada Mike lifts high the flag of Guadeloupe with Queen Billie jamming all the way from the US Virgin Islands.

All these acts and others will be joined by fans and wellwishers to make activities and events like the morning beach cleanup, treks, tours, boat trips, Agorobaako – Oneplay, and festival parade, as well as tree planting exercises fun and memorable.

People from different parts of Ghana and beyond are drawn to it because of the opportunity it offers tourists The Ghanaian rapper who describes himself as explore parts of Ghana’s Western Region. To purchase the mouthpiece of Africa is known in personal tickets or learn about the festival visit asabaako.com for more information and photos of this amazing experience. like as Yaw Agyei Nelson.

TheAfricanDream.net discovered that the rapWritten by Oral Ofori per is one of few from Ghana that is distinguished by their African-centered lyrics that speak truth to power and shamelessly seek to awaken minds across the African continent in Attachments area search for the path to a better Africa.

“I feel very humbled to have been picked as one of the performers at this year’s ‘Asa Baako‘ and as the name of the festival trans-

Admira António is the first woman flighting an airplane in Mozambique.

Mozambique has one of the highest rates of gender inequality in the world and António does what was once a man’s job.

A feat she was never ready to give up on. António believes she has managed to win in a man’s world by becoming commander in 2018.

The attention is always on you as a woman. They want to see if you really know what you’re doing, why you got there, if someone made it easier for you, so I had to prove my skills, my professionalism.

“The attention is always on you as a woman. They want to see if you really know what you’re doing, why you got there, if someone made it easier for you, so I had to prove my skills, my professionalism”, António said.

Up in the sky, there are two realities: almost 80% of the on-board assistants are female, but only five percent of pilots are women and the proportion of female roles in technical or leadership positions in aviation is even lower.

A scenario described by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the South African Civil Aviation Authority when they promoted the first global gender aviation summit last year.

Admira Antonio witnesses this reality: when she rose to the level of commercial aviation at Mozambican airlines in 2012, she only drove alongside men, which came naturally to her after growing up “between brothers and cousins.”

But she still recalls scenes of prejudice, such as when a trainer apologized “for being a girl” when she tried to correct a response in a theoretical class.

António recalls how this only gave her “more strength.”

Mozambique appears in the 130th place in a list of 160 countries in the United Nations Gender Inequality Index, which combines health, labor market participation and access to opportunities.

The country has the eighth highest rate of childbirth in the world, with 135 births per thousand women between the ages of 15 and 19, according to the UN Human Development Index.

A total of 48 percent of women, ages 20-24, married when they were under 18, the ninth worst rate in the world. https://howafrica.com

Canada Budgets $902Million to Stop Thousands of Illegal African Migrants, Others

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Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau,

The Canadian government has budgeted the sum of $902 million, over a period of five years, to arrest the surge of migrants who illegally cross into the country from the United States of America.

Asylum seekers who are steps away from Canada listen as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tells them they will be arrested as they cross over from New York state, north of Plattsburgh Nigerians make up a sizeable majority of thousands of people who have illegally crossed into Canada from the U.S. to file refugee claims since January 2017.

In the annual budget that was presented by Canada’s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, to the House of Commons on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, $902 million (C$1.18 billion) will be spent over five years, beginning in the 2019-20 fiscal year, on border security and modernisation, and for the asylum system.

“To ensure that our asylum system is fair and effective – supporting Canada’s reputation as a country that is welcoming as well as governed by the rule of law – we will invest in a comprehensive Border Enforcement Strategy, to better detect and intercept people who cross into Canada irregularly and those that attempt to exploit our immigration system,” he said.

Canadian Finance Minister, Bill Morneau [Toronto Star] Canadian Finance Minister, Bill Morneau [Toronto Star] According to the budget document, the comprehensive Border Enforcement Strategy will help to effectively “detect and intercept individuals who cross Canadian borders irregularly and who try to exploit Canada’s immigration system”.

“Failed asylum claimants who entered into Canada at irregular crossings or between official ports of entry will also be removed on a priority basis,” the document reads.

To do this, additional resources are to be provided to strengthen processes at the border, and accelerate the processing of claims and removals. This, according to the government, is to ensure the asylum system remains available to those genuinely in need of refugee protection.

“New resources for immigration and refugee legal aid will build on previous investments, supporting the delivery of legal services, while new Federal Court judicial positions will help ensure efficient and timely processing of asylum claimants seeking judicial review.

“To do this, the Government intends to introduce amend-

ments to the Federal Courts Act to create three new judicial positions,” the document reads.

A group of asylum seekers wait to be processed after being escorted from their tent encampment to the Canada Border Services in Lacolle, Quebec, Canada August 11, 2017.

The budget also seeks to support public awareness activities that will help vulnerable newcomers and applicants protect themselves against fraudulent immigration consultants. This will be done by improving oversight of immigration consultants and strengthening compliance and enforcement measures.

To implement the measures that’ll more effectively manage, discourage and prevent irregular migration, the Canadian government seeks to introduce legislation and propose amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Citizenship Act.

Nigerians are some of the most frequent border-crossers into Canada The influx of migrants into Canada over the past two has been a political liability for the liberal government headed

by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau, has faced constant criticisms from Conservatives about his government’s handling of immigration A December 2018 report revealed that each asylum seeker crossing at irregular border points from the U.S. costs Canada an average $14,321, with the number of bordercrossers between April 2017 and March 2018 costing various federal bodies $340 million to process. The report also projected that the individual cost will rise to $16,666 by March 2020.

The increased wave of illegal immigrants into Canada kicked off after U.S. president, Donald Trump, threatened in 2017 to review the Temporary Protected Status of thousands of foreign nationals in his country.

Many of the Nigerian asylum claimants who crossed from the U.S. into Canada through unrecognised entry points were observed to have arrived bearing valid U.S. visas after having spent very little time in the States.

Asylum seekers walk down Roxham Road to cross into Quebec at the U.S.-Canada border in 2017.

Between June 2017 and May 2018, Canadian authorities intercepted more than 7,600 Nigerian asylum seekers with 81% of them having valid U.S. non-immigrant visas in their possession.

The trend of illegal border-crossers from Nigeria worried the Canadian government so much that two officials were sent to Lagos in 2018 to work directly with their counterparts in the U.S. visa office to collaborate on how to lower the number of migrants who eventually end up making asylum claims in Canada.

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Canadian Finance Minister, Bill Morneau [Toronto Star] More recently, the Canadian government adopted a new stringent policy to deal with asylum seekers who illegally cross into the country from the U.S.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the agency responsible for deportations, disclosed that it now classifies border-crossers as a top deportation priority.

This means quicker processing and deportation of people who cross the border unlike in the past when claimants could live in Canada for years while their applications were processed.

Six lawyers told Reuters that the new policy had already led to accelerated hearings, scheduled in blocs, with a focus on cases involving claimants of Nigerian and Haitian origins.

https://howafrica.com

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2019

10 iconic black activists who visited Ghana in the 50s and 60s In his own words, MLK stated:“As we walked out, we noticed all over the polo grounds almost a half a million people. They had waited for this hour and this moment for years. Before I knew it, I started weeping. I was crying for joy. And I knew about all of the struggles, and all of the pain, and all of the agony that these people had gone through for this moment”

Muhammed Ali – 1964 o mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America, the government of Ghana launched the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” in a quest to encourage African Americans and the black diaspora to return to the country where their ancestors were once kidnapped for enslavement.

Endorsed by the Jamaican government, the ‘Year of Return’ is a great initiative to bridge the gap between blacks in the diaspora and Africans, however this is not the first time Ghana will be hosting black people from the diaspora who willingly travelled to the country to reconnect with their roots and grow a united black community worldwide.

As the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 1957, Ghana and its first president Kwame Nkrumah gained the attention of the world after its successful colonial resistance, which was linked to the struggle against racism in the diaspora.

Armstrong.

His visit has been described as a 2-day open-air concert with several bands and cultural artists performing for Armstrong while he entertained the audience with his All Stars band.

Malcolm X -1964

W.E B Du Bois-1961 In his heyday, the Greatest Boxer of All Time, Muhammad Ali visited Ghana when he was just 22. The heavyweight champion touched down in Ghana on May 16, 1964, to an excited crowd at the Airport, cheering him as the king.

Martin Luther King Jnr- 1957

Martin Luther King, Jr., and his wife Coretta Scott King

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She lived in the country until 1964, when she relocated to the USA to work with Malcolm X. She was honoured with a stamp in Ghana.

During the 50s and 60s, Ghana opened its doors for the African diaspora to come home supporting the Pan African dream. Here are 10 notable and iconic black figures who visited Ghana at the time.

One of the most celebrated black Activists, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Ghana in March 1957, just in time for the independence ceremony, after a struggle that mirrored the struggle against racism in the USA. Arriving in Ghana on March 4, 1957, MLK was invited by President Nkrumah on a trip funded by the Montgomery Improvement Association and the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church.

The writer spent a great time of her life not only visiting Ghana but living in the country. In 1961, Angelou relocated to Ghana from Egypt. During her time in Ghana, the writer and activist taught at the University of Ghana in the School of Music and Drama, wrote for numerous local newspapers including the Ghana Times and also worked with Ghana’s first president to forward his pan-African vision of a united and free continent.

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The visit was part of his world victory tour, and the young boxer, at the time, had kept Ghana on his list as a place to visit and connect with his African roots. Another major reason why the boxer visited was to meet Nkrumah, who was celebrated all over the world by the black community. Ali was gifted a royal kente by Nkrumah and visited several communities, schools and historical places in the country, fulfilling the goal he had set when he said, “I want to see Africa and meet my brothers and sisters.”

Maya Angelou-1961-1964 Loved and celebrated African American writer, poet and activist, Maya Angelou, also believed in the return trip to Africa to reconnect with roots and people.

Malcolm X and Maya Angelou , Ghana 1964

In 1961, scholar, author, civil rights pioneer and activist, and co-founder of the NAACP W.E.B Du Bois renounced his American citizenship and relocated to Ghana upon invitation by President Nkrumah to help write the Encyclopedia Africana. He lived in Ghana until his death in 1963 working closely with Nkrumah as they shared the same Pan African dream.

Today, the civil rights leader’s home is known as the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Center for Pan-African Culture, which hosts several programs and is open to the public for visits.

Louis Armstrong -1956

With just a year to gain full independence from the British and with Kwame Nkrumah as Prime minister, Louis Armstrong , celebrated African American Jazz musicians and trumpeter visited Ghana.

His two-day visit to the Gold Coast was as part of his role as jazz ambassador, with the expectation of bridging the gap between African Americans and Africans through music. At the time, Ghanaian music was widely celebrated with the Tempos Band in the lead. The then leader of the Tempos Band, E.T Mensah, was heavily influenced by

In 1964, iconic African-American activist, Malcolm X, visited Ghana as part of his African tour to encourage the African diaspora to travel back to their roots and solidify black unity all over the world.

A committee was set up for his visit and Malcolm was taken to see prominent Ghanaians to explain his theories, which had been termed violent by people all over the world thanks to Western media. During his visit, X met with writers, Maya Angelou and Julian Mayfield.

Malcom X gave a resounding speech at the University of Ghana, in which he said :

“I don’t feel that I am a visitor in Ghana or in any part of Africa. I feel that I am at home. I’ve been away for four hundred years, but not of my own volition, not of my own will.”President Nkrumah is doing something there that the government in America does not like to see done, and that is he’s restoring the African image. He is making the African proud of the African image; and whenever the African becomes proud of the African image and this positive image is projected abroad, then the Black man in America, who up to now has had nothing but a negative image of Africa — automatically the image that the Black man in America has of his African brothers changes from negative to positive, and the image that the Black man in America has of himself will also change from negative to positive.

10 iconic Black Activists who Visited Ghana in the 50s and 60s

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Could limited-finance impede Africa’s first Winter Olympics medal hopeful?

March

Sylvia Ardyn Boone-1960s African-American writer and activist and women activist Sylvia Ardyn Boone also came to Ghana through the influence of Maya Angelou.

Celebrated as Yale’s first black woman professor, Boone studied art history and Afro-American studies, specialized in African art, female imagery, women’s arts and masks. After studying in the USA, Sylvia relocated to Ghana and studied at the University of Ghana staying there until becoming a visiting lecturer at Yale in 1970. While in Ghana she worked closely with Maya Angelou and W.E.B Du Bois.

Richard Wright-1953

After battling with racism in the USA, activist and writer, Richard Wright, took the advice of George Padmore’s wife and made a significant trip to Ghana staying between 1953 and 1956. His trip to the Gold Coast inspired one of his most popular book Black Power. During his stay, Wright met with Nkrumah, Padmore, Du Bois and several other significant figures in Ghana but his trips to other parts of the country and speaking to regular folk really changed his views on race, blackness and the African-American place in Africa.

George Padmore-1957 George Padmore established a great bond and lasting friendship with Nkrumah a few years before the latter returned to Ghana. During Nkrumah’s fight for a free Gold Coast, Padmore exchanged several letters with him, advising him on steps and measures to take. Padmore relocated to Ghana after Nkrumah became president, writing for several of Nkrumah’s newspapers and later working as the president’s advisor on African affairs until his death in 1959.

The George Padmore research library was established in his honour as a research and educational centre for AfricanAmerican studies in Accra Ghana.

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I think in sports in general funding makes all the difference. There have been many studies done on the direct correlation of Olympic performances and funding.

Support is critical to compete against the best in the world at anything. Many of the larger programs in the sport have financial support for their top athletes which allows them to train full time without distractions.

Finding financial support necessary to compete against the problem-solving programs is something that the Ghana BSF has been working extremely hard to do.

Julian Mayfield -1961-1966 African American activist, actor and writer, Julian Mayfield relocated to Ghana with his family from Canada in 1961.

After hosting Malcolm X on behalf of Nkrumah, the FBI targeted him, forcing him to flee Ghana in 1966.

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this season for you, Akwasi, and Team Ghana?

Julian Mayfield and his family in Ghana

During his stay in Ghana, he and his wife worked closely with Nkrumah. Julian worked for some time as the president’s literary advisor, editing the proceedings of the Accra Assembly. He later worked with the ministry of information and wrote for several national newspapers. Mayfield also established the African Review, a bimonthly journal that featured articles by intellectuals of African descent.

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Do you expect to continue with Akwasi? If not, how can you still be a resource for him?

Skeleton Olympian of Ghana Akwasi Frimpong having moved up some 32 places last season in the world rankings jumping from 99th to moved 67th place in 2019 to qualify for the World Championships in Canada, though he has decided to focus on becoming Africa’s first Winter Olympics medalist in Beijing 2022 with his ‘Hope of a Billion’ project.

His choice to focus on his long-term goals of showing everyone how an underdog can achieve their dreams has brought in its wake a mixture of good and not so good fortunes.

The good news first — Akwasi has had a great season of highs on the track — the not so good news, he needs to fund the dream of becoming the ‘Hope of a Billion’ and that calls for funding to maintain his worldclass Skeleton sliding coach Zach Lund among other finance miscellanies.

Despite the challenges, Zach Lund believes Akwasi is on track for success and shares with TheAfricanDream.net and RobbyMesser.wordpress.com the reason behind this positive feeling in a Q&A:

What was the toughest part of this season?

Lund: The toughest part of this season was scheduling training and competitions with budget limitations. We had to make a game plan that would allow us to get the best “bang from our buck,” taking into account our

development plan and available training and competitions.

What would you say was Akwasi’s greatest area of growth and how does that prepare him as we get closer to 2022?

Akwasi made great strides this season with his awareness down the track and being able to improve his split-second decision making and problem-solving. It is easy to look at a run after the fact and dissect it and analyze it. Unfortunately, when Akwasi is going down the track at 80+ mph he only has a split second to make a decision, which means it must be instinctive. We were able to work on this and he has become much better at making the right decisions while under pressure.

What did you learn as Akwasi’s coach and coaching for Team Ghana?

I learned how challenging it can be for small nations to compete on the world stage in Olympic sports. Coming from a background of working with the U.S. Team which is one of the biggest programs in the world I got a reality check of the challenges that all small nations face in sliding sports. Large programs have established National Olympic Committees and National Governing Bodies that provide a lot of support.

Small nations, on the other hand, are usually left with very little to no outside support. This creates a big disadvantage for smaller nations competing against larger programs.

Money is obviously a challenge for many Olympic athletes who work at their sport year-round. How did financing impact

I will always be there for Akwasi in some capacity. I strongly believe in his personal character and his mission as the “Hope of a Billion” and will always help him in whatever capacity I can. While funding limitations may put our future of working together in a full-time partnership in jeopardy, it will never come in between our friendship or our commitment to excellence.

Does Akwasi’s performance this season put him in a good position to make the 2022 Olympics?

Without a doubt. Akwasi’s improvement in his fundamentals and his world ranking is a testament of what hard work and good support can accomplish. Like Akwasi’s grandmother told him, he already has everything he needs to succeed inside him. However, simply making the 2022 Olympics is not our goal. Our goal is to compete for a medal in Beijing while also inspiring others to have the courage to follow their own dreams.

In addition to success on the track, Akwasi organized an athlete combine in Salt Lake City as a way to recruit potential Ghanaian athletes to sliding sports. Zach Lund helped coach three recruits during a day of drills.

Fans can help support Akwasi’s journey to become the Hope of a Billion by going to his website Frimpong.com or contacting BSF-Ghana for more info at contact@bsfghana.com.

Source: TheAfricanDream.net & RobbyMesser.wordpress.com

8-year-old Homeless Refugee From Nigeria Crowned Chess Champion in New York

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An 8-year-old Nigerian refugee was just crowned a chess champion in New York’s statewide competition.

Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who lives in a Manhattan homeless shelter with his family, won the kindergartener through third grade category in New York’s chess championship last weekend with an undefeated performance, according to New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.

Tanitoluwa, known as “Tani,” learned to play chess just one year ago, and now tells the Times that he wants to be “the youngest grandmaster.”

The Adewumis, including Tani, his parents and older brother, reportedly arrived in New York after fleeing Nigeria in 2017 due to fear of terror attacks from the group Boko Haram.

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Tanitoluwa Adewumi won the state tournament for kindergarten through third grade last weekend. He is pictured with his trophy

Former U.S’ President Clinton Invites Eight-yearold Nigerian Refugee Chess Champion, Tanitoluwa Former US president, Bill Clinton, has invited eight-year-old Nigerian chess champion, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his parents to his office in Harlem.

After the New York Times reported the eight-year old Nigerian, Tanitoluwa Adewunmi, had won seven chess trophies including the state tournament, where he outwitted other children, the story went viral, and seem to have gotten the attention of the former president too.

Quoting a tweet by media personality, Kyle Griffin, Clinton said, “Refugees enrich our nation and talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.” This story made me smile.

“Tanitoluwa, you exemplify a winning spirit – in chess and in life. And kudos to your hardworking parents. You all should stop by my office in Harlem; I’d love to meet you.”

Tani only started playing chess in 2017 after his family fled Nigeria to live in the US

Tanitoluwa Adewumi won the state tournament for kindergarten through third grade last weekend. He is pictured with his trophy Tanitoluwa Adewumi won the state tournament for kindergarten through third grade last weekend. He is pictured with his trophy

Tanitoluwa Adewumi had emerged the winner of the third-grade category of chess championships in New York City, where he lives in a homeless shelter.

He started learning chess last year alongside his classmates.

It was reported that the Adewumis comprising of Tanitoluwa, his parents and older brother arrived in New York after fleeing Nigeria in 2017 due to fear of terror attacks from the group Boko Haram.

They have sought asylum and an immigration hearing has been scheduled for August, 2019

Tani, as he is known to family and friends, plays chess at the elementary school he attends and practices every night in the shelter.

His father Kayode drives for Uber and is also a real estate broker.

The family moved to the US to escape Boko Haram, a terrorist group responsible for atrocious attacks against Africans.

Because they are devout Christians, they feared they would be targeted.

Tani and his siblings became enrolled in local elementary schools not long after they arrived and he discovered the chess club.

Tani now wants to be the youngest grandmaster New York has ever seen

Bill Clinton ✔ @BillClinton “Refugees enrich our nation and talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.”

This story made me smile. Tanitoluwa, you exemplify a winning spirit – in chess and in life. And kudos to your hardworking parents. You all should stop by my office in Harlem; I'd love to meet you.

His mother Oluwatoyin emailed them to say that while they could not afford to pay the fees attached, he was eager to participate.

Source: https://howafrica.com

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Former U.S, president, Bill Clinton has invited the Nigerian boy that won a chess tournament in New York to his office for personal introduction.

Tani learned chess with his classmates at New York’s P.S. 116, and joined the school’s chess club. The club’s organizer waived the fees for Tani because of his family’s financial situation. Though he started out as the lowestrated member of the club, he quickly improved and is now bringing his school statewide recognition, according to the newspaper.

P.S. 116’s principal, Jane Hsu, told the Times that Tani’s win is “an inspiring example of how life’s challenges do not define a person,” and credited the third-grader’s supportive parents despite being homeless.

March

Tani’s father Kayode drives for Uber and is also a real estate broker. They are pictured with his mother Oluwatoyin and older sibling

Top 9 Facts You May Not Have Known About Haile Selassie I – The Emperor Of Ethiopia

Ras Tafari Makonnen lived from July 23, 1892, to Aug. 27, 1975. The Rastafari movement was born when political leader Marcus Garvey proclaimed: “Look to Africa for the crowning of a Black king.” A few years later, in 1930, Makonnen was crowned emperor of Ethiopia and took the name Haile Selassie I. Abroad, he was worshiped as a divine figure. In Jamaica, he is still considered by Rastafarians to be the spiritual leader of Black people worldwide.

His name, Haile Selassie, translates into “Power of the Trinity.”

His legitimacy as a ruler passes through a line of Ethiopian royalty chronicled in the Kebra Nagast (Book of Kings) that includes King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

The lyrics of Bob Marley’s song War are from the English translation of a speech Selassie delivered to the United Nations in New York City in October 1963.

Selassie proved to be a model student. He was intelligent, hardworking, had an excellent memory and paid attention to the smallest detail. Recognizing his abilities, his father proclaimed him dejazmach (commander) of a local militia in 1905 at the age of 13. At 14, he had been governor of Gara Maleta, a province of Harar, and by 20, he was dejazmach of Sidamo province.

He took great pride in the suppression of slavery. When Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935, he personally led troops in the field.

In 1923, he led Ethiopia into the League of Nations. The following year, he traveled to Europe, becoming the first Ethiopian ruler to go abroad.

Two commemorative stamps have been issued for the emperor. These include a stamp for his regime before the Italian 0ccupation in the period of 1930-1936, and another one after the occupation during 1942-1974.

Haile Selassie worked on various economic and social reforms for the progress of his people. However, his most significant work was creating a constitution in 1931 and helping to achieve a Re-Africanization of Ethiopia.

He was voted Man of the Year

by Time magazine in 1936.

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9 Things To Know About The Rastafarian Beliefs

When most people hear the word “Rastafarian,” they think of men with dreadlocks, of smoking ganja, and of men with dreadlocks smoking ganja.

Basically, they think of Bob Marley. In fact, Rastafari is a very serious philosophy that takes much direction from the Bible. While there are some people who claim to be Rastafari just as an excuse to do drugs, there are many true believers, and the public idea of them is often quite inaccurate.

9 They Call Halie Selassie The Second Coming Of Christ This belief, which is a core part of the Rastafari philosophy, was taken up at the inception of the religion. In the early 1900s, Marcus Garvey prophesied that a new black king would soon come to Africa and that man would be the messiah. Not too long after this, in Ethiopia, a new king was crowned and his name was Haile Selassie I. Seeing this as a sign of what was prophesied, the burgeoning Rastafari movement took this man as the second coming of Jesus. However, while most people would not believe in a second coming of the messiah solely based on prophecy, the Rastafarians wouldn’t either. They point to other evidence as well, particularly the claim that Haile Selassie is related to King Solomon, giving him a connection to Jesus. If Haile Selassie I was the messiah. he kept it very quiet. He himself always denied being a reincarnation of Jesus.

8 Rastafarian Ital Diet Rastafari have a specific diet called Ital, a word that stems from vital. Many people confuse Ital with vegetarianism or veganism. It’s actually a diet of its own and may change somewhat based on the denomination of Rastafari or the individual.

The Rastafari don’t wish to take part in the system as they deem it oppressive.

For this reason they refuse any processed foods. They also won’t eat red meat, believing that it rots inside your body.

Many will still eat fish because they believe that it is supported as being all right by the Bible. However, some refuse to eat fish, and others will remove dairy from their diet and go closer to fullvegan. The main idea of course is simply to eat natural foods that are good for you.

7 Your Body Is A Temple In Rastafari, your body is considered your temple, so you need to really take good care of yourself. Part of this can be seen in the philosophy of the Ital diet.

However, it goes much further than just eating good food to take care of your health. Rastafari believe that they should let their hair grow long and not taint it with anything unnatural. This all comes down to respecting your body and what it is. You don’t cut your hair, tattoo your skin, or eat bad food. In fact some Rastafari have cited this as the reason they don’t smoke ganja. Some feel that for them personally it’s not good for their health, so they quit smoking.

6 Don’t Call Them “Rastafarians” Rastafari actually don’t like being referenced as “rastafarians” at all. The reason for this stems from their philosophy.

Rastas believe that “ians” and “isms” represent the corrupt “Babylonian” system that oppresses people all over the world. Considering themselves a religion or an ism of any sort is seen as accepting a system that is anathema to what they believe. This means that some Rastafari will actually be quite unhappy with you if you call them a Rastafarian or say that they practice Rastafarianism. Of course this hasn’t stopped scholars who still refer to Rastafari as an “ism” and also classify them as a religion. This latter part has also caused annoyance as some Rastafari don’t like the term “religion” either and prefer to consider their movement a philosophy.

5 Down With Babylon The Rastafari movement began in Jamaica, where most of the black population had originally been slaves forced from Africa to work. The movement was started as a means of empowerment. As such, it may not be too surprising that Rastafari as a belief system completely rejects the standards and structure of western society.

For a people who had been oppressed

by Western society and colonialism, the Rastafari movement was a way to claim back their own way of life. By rejecting the “Babylonian” system that was deemed corrupt and oppressive, Rastafari are able to take back their own culture and connect to their roots.

You see, the movement was shaped very much in the beginning by the words of Marcus Garvey who would later on be considered a prophet in Rastafari beliefs. Garvey may never have identified as a Rastafari but he was very vocal when it came to black empowerment and inspired a great many people.

4 The Return To Africa Rastafari often rely heavily on the

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by African slaves who had been brought to the island of Jamaica. The Rastafari as an empowerment movement took the language and modified it both in dialect and philosophy to meet their needs, forming a new dialect known as Lyaric. One of the most important concepts is the use of pronouns. Most of the time, “I” is used instead of “me,” “you,” or just about any pronoun. Rastafari do this to express the connection between all people and to acknowledge everyone’s humanity.

Rastafari also prefer positive expressions whenever possible. Instead of someone saying they are “dedicated,” they might say livicated to show vitality. And “oppressed,” would be downpressed, to

indicate the direction that the oppression is coming from. Someone also might overstand something because it sounds more upbeat than “understanding.”

2 Grounation Day For stoners, April 20 is a very important day, but for Rastafari, the next day is the truly important one. As we mentioned earlier, Rastafari believe that Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was the second coming of Jesus Christ, and thus they are pretty big fans of the guy. During his life back in the 1960s, he decided to visit Jamaica. The official line was that it was a diplomatic visit, but some people believed he wanted to meet the Rastafari and learn about the people who worshiped him as another coming of the messiah. The crowds were enormous and made an incredible amount of noise, and this delayed him coming off his plane for quite a while, likely due to safety concerns. During his time there, he did meet with some of the leading members of the Rastafari movement. While there isn’t much record of what was said, some believe he told them that they should try to fix things at home in Jamaica before they returned to Africa. Since his visit, April 21 has been known to Rastafari as Grounation Day and is observed as one of the most Bible when it comes to their religious beliefs and yet have their own important holy days.

1 The Rastafarian Colors idea of a paradise. Members of the The red, yellow, and green colors of Rastafari movement feel that they Rastafari are pretty ubiquitous, although are in a sort of hell or purgatory as most people probably associate them more their ancestors were removed from with Bob Marley and ganja than they do their homeland against their will.

Africa is their version of Zion. It is a any spiritual movement. However, many people don’t realize there are actual four paradise on Earth, and the goal of Rasta colors. The movement took much many Rastafari is to move back to influence from Marcus Garvey, and the colAfrica. This is more of a cultural ors of his own movement were red, green, yearning than it is a solely religious and black. The Rastafari later saw Haile belief and makes perfect sense after Selassie I as Jesus, and the colors of the the colonialist oppression that so Ethiopian flag were red, green, and yellow, many black people faced. For this so another addition was made, with four reason, it is about more than just colors in total. These colors all have symreturning to Africa for most Rasta. It bolic significance in Rastafari beliefs. The is actually very much about building yellow color is said by some to refer to the wealth of their homeland in Africa. The red Africa into something even better, preserving African culture, and cele- is perhaps unsurprisingly symbolic of blood brating a way of life that many feel and the martyrdom of past Rastafari. The the Babylonian society tried to take color black is an obvious reference to the black people who originally started the away from them.

Rastafari movement in order to return to 3 Their Own Lyaric Dialect The early Rastafari in Jamaica creat- their roots, and the green is related to the abundant plant life of their native homeed a dialect that is an offshoot of land. In case you were still curious—no, Jamaican Creole. Jamaican Creole the Rastafari colors really don’t have anywas originally derived from English thing to do with smoking ganja.

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How this 38-year Old Entrepreneur built A Look at the 3 Women Who a $1 billion Energy Conglomerate in Fought the Good Fight for Ghana Independence in Africa cell towers and value-added services (VAS) for mobile phone companies.

The company Springfield Group, owns about 82% interest and operatorship in the West Cape Three Points Block 2 offshore Ghana (WCTP2), according to Forbes.

He later began to consider looking for other opportunities because “there was a lot of uncertainty with our core business – the call routing business. My contracts with our clients were revisited every year and I realized that my destiny was in the hand of the telecom companies who reserved the right to terminate my contract at any time.”

While still running Westland Alliance in 2006, he started working with a business acquaintance who supplied crude oil and condensates Okyere speaks to Forbes’ Mfonobong Esehe about his jour- to the Tema refinery in Ghana. He then saw an opportunity in the lack of storage facilities for ney, investing $70 million in an oil-exploration company, refined petroleum products. and running the first homegrown Ghanaian company exploring for oil.

Armed with enough cash from his business, he acquired land and began to build a storage “We can’t afford to fail. I mean, we’re the first Ghanaian company to venture into oil exploration. We are in a unique facility.

position to set a precedent for indigenous companies looking to participate in the upstream sector. If we succeed, then When officials from Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority visited his construction we’d have sent a strong message – that Ghanaians are just project, they were so impressed that they asked as capable. That’s really important to me,” he says. him to apply for a Petroleum Product import license.

Springfield Group is also involved in trading and transporting hydrocarbons, terminalling and storage, gas stations, and He did, and then began importing these prodrecently, oil exploration. ucts with his new company Springfield Energy in 2008.

Okyere was born to a wealthy family in Ghana’s Ashanti region but that didn’t stop him from working to earn his own Okyere also expanded his business to Nigeria money. and his company, Springfield Ashburton in partnership with BP PLC, was enlisted in the His father was a construction, steel manufacturing and largeNigerian National Petroleum Corporation scale cocoa farming mogul.

(NNPC)‘s 2014/2015 Crude Oil Term Contract.

Okyere applied for the WCTP2 oil bloc in At age 11, he says: “I would often put water in our chest 2012, which he said has about 3.5 billion barfreezers at home, and then sell the iced water to the supportrels of oil and 5 trillion cubic feet of gas. ers watching the games in the Stadium. Everyone used to call me ‘Eddie Murphy’ in reference to the movie, ‘Coming He got the licence in 2016 and he said his comTo America’. The movie was quite recent in Ghana at the pany will be drilling for the first time in time. They used to wonder why I was working when my January 2019. father was wealthy”.

After his high school education in Ghana, Okyere went to “For me, the most important reason we are purGeorge Mason University to study Accounting, and worked suing this is to prove that Ghanaians can do it. several jobs as he studied. “Anything legitimate that could We have a trading business that is doing well, earn me money, I took it,” he said. and I could easily take the safe route to making He got a job offer by the time he was done – $72,000 per more money by investing in real estate or annum – but he turned it down, opting to return to Ghana something less tedious. But we look at ourinstead. selves as the indigenous pacesetters in this “Unlike the U.S, Ghana was virgin territory for a lot of busiindustry. If we are successful – and we will be, nesses. There were too many opportunities to explore in new local players will come up, and that’s very Ghana and I knew I could be more successful home than important for the ecosystem,” he says. abroad. I knew I wanted to run my own business, but I wasOkyere’s Kevin Okyere Foundation also helps n’t even sure of what I was going to do. My two previous to fund poor patients’ hospital bills as well as jobs in the U.S had been in telecom so I was more inclined students’ tuition. towards launching a business telecom sector,” he says.

On his philanthropic activity, Okyere said: “I In 2004, he moved to Ghana and garnered business experidon’t think I want to be remembered as one of ence working with his sister. A year later, he set up a telethe wealthiest Ghanaians; I’d like to be rememcoms company by bringing together a team of investors, that bered as one of the biggest givers.” provided international call routing services for AT&T and several international calling card companies.

The company, Westland Alliance Ltd later diversified into

Iconic female leaders who pulled their weight in the fight for the decolonisation of African countries in the 1900s.

We take a look at three incredible women who fought the good fight for independence across the continent:

1. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

In the early 1920s, there were only a handful of women in Nigeria whose education went beyond the primary school level. One of them was Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti who was the first female student admitted to Abeokuta Grammar School.

She later went to England for further studies before returning to Nigeria where she became a teacher and activist who used her privilege to fight against colonialism.

She fought the British colonial masters as well as the Nigerian traditional leaders used to enforce their rules. She did this with the help of other women in her organisation — the Abeokuta Women’s Union.

Fela and his mum,Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti a leading woman activist in Nigeria In one particular case, they all came together to protest against King Alake Ademola of Egbaland when he wanted to impose taxes on women. Kuti and about 20,000 members of AWU stood outside his house protesting with the slogan ‘no taxation without representation’. They also chanted in Yoruba. “Alake, for a long time you have used your penis as a mark of authority that you are our husband. Today we shall reverse the order and use our vagina to play the role of husband,” they sang.

Eventually, their continuous protest against the Alake which lasted for about four years resulted in the self exile of the monarch. He remained in exile for one year before returning to his throne in 1950.

There are other cases of Kuti mobilizing local market women for what she called “picnics” and festivals whenever they needed to protest against the British colonial officers, corruption and the lack of women’s representation in politics.

2. Miriam Makeba Makeba was an Grammy award winning artist from Johannesburg. Like Kuti, she used her privilege to fight for equality. This South African singer dedicated her life to fighting apartheid and got exiled for it.

After losing her citizenship ‘Mama Africa’, as she was fondly called, was forced to stay abroad. There, she continued to fight against the apartheid system in her home country and for Civil Rights in America. She was finally allowed to return in 1990.

Makeba is one of South Africa’s most vocal activists.

3. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Madikizela-Mandela is another popular female activist in South Africa. Three years after getting married to Nelson Mandela, her husband was convicted of treason and imprisoned for life. With her husband behind bars, Winnie continued to fight apartheid on her own while raising their young family.

During her fight for justice, she was imprisoned several times by the apartheid police. She was also banned, isolated and eventually tried for treason simply for fighting for South Africa’s liberation.

Other notable female activists include Bibi Titi Mohammed from Tanzania, Mabel Dove-Danquah (Ghana), Vera Chirwa ( Malawi) and Yaa Asantewaa — Queen mother of the Edweso tribe (Ghana). https://howafrica.com

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African Proverbs To Get You Thinking

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1. A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground. — Igbo proverb 2. He that beats the drum for the mad man to dance is no better than the mad manhimself. — African proverb 3. Where water is the boss there the land must obey. — African proverb 4. No matter how beautiful and well crafted a coffin might look, it will not make anyone wish for death. — African proverb 5. When the shepherd comes home in peace, the milk is sweet. — Ethiopian proverb 6. A spider’s cobweb isn’t only its sleeping spring but also its food trap. — African proverb 7. If you do not have patience you cannot make beer. — Ovambo proverb

8. He who runs after good fortune runs away from peace. — African proverb 9. Teeth do not see poverty. — Masai proverb 10. You have little power over what’s not yours. — Zimbabwean proverb 11. If you pick up one end of the stick you also pick up the other. — Ethiopian proverb 12. Better little than too little. — Cameroonian proverb 13. You must attend to your business with the vendor in the market, and not to the noise of the market. — Beninese proverb 14. When you befriend a chief remember that he sits on a rope. — Ugandan proverb 15. The night has ears. — Masai proverb 16. The child you sired hasn’t sired you. — Somali proverb 17. A doctor who invoked a storm on his people cannot prevent his house from destruction. — Nigerian proverb 18. An intelligent enemy is better than a stupid friend. — Senegalese proverb 19. The young bird does not crow until it hears the old ones. — Tswana proverb 20. If you carry the egg basket do not dance. — Ambede proverb 21. The food which is prepared has no master. — Malagasy proverb 22. The worlds of the elders do not lock all the doors; they leave the right door open. — Zambian proverb 23. Even the best cooking pot will not produce food. — African proverb 24. The child of a rat is a rat. — Malagasy proverb 25. Where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth. — Yoruba proverb

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Emmanuel Eboue: Ivory Coast’s Football Star After Mozambique, Lionel Who Lost Everything in UK to Belgian Ex- Messi Donates €200,000 to wife Remarries in Home Country Another African Country

by MT

He said he was on the brink of suicide as he hasn’t heard from his children since June, disguises himself to use public transport and uses his hands to wash since he doesn’t even have a washing machine.

Former Ivorian international and Arsenal defender, Emmanuel Eboue, who was in the news two years ago for being broke after a bitter divorce, has remarried in his home country Cote d’Ivoire.

Eboue is reported to have married his ex-fiancee, Stephanie Boedé, whom he left behind after moving from local team ASEC Mimosas to Europe and Turkey where he played with top clubs such as Galatasaray, Sunderland, and Arsenal.

Ivorian media report that his new marriage to Boede, who is from the western part of the country, was held privately on March 2, 2019, at the Hotel Communal de Cocody in Abidjan.

Photos shared from the ceremony showed a happy Eboue with his new wife in matching traditional outfits dancing as a couple and also cutting a cake amid family and close friends.

The turn of events was never imagined two years ago when the former English premier league star revealed in an interview with British tabloid newspaper Sunday Mirror in December 2017 that he was so broke he sometimes slept on the floor in a friend’s living room after several years of earning millions of dollars from playing football.

The 34-year-old said the divorce drove him to the brink of suicide after his wife, Aurelie, allegedly took everything he had including their three children, mansion, cars and their first house in North London where he was ordered by a court to surrender ownership.

“I can’t afford the money to continue to have any lawyer or barrister. I am in the house but I am scared. Because I don’t know what time the police will come. Sometimes I shut off the lights because I don’t want people to know that I am inside. I put everything behind the door.

“My own house. I suffered to buy my house but I am now scared. I am not going to sell my clothes or sell what I have. I will fight until the end because it is not fair,” Eboue was quoted by the Sunday Mirror.

He narrated his plight as part of the Sunday Mirror’s Time To Change campaign that seeks to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.

FC Barcelona’s Argentine striker is not just a good footballer.

But, it’s also a very generous person. Lionel Messi has just demonstrated this through this particularly commendable gesture he posed for a charitable project in Kenya.

It was through his foundation (Fundacion Messi) that he donated € 200,000 for the construction of several drinking water pumps and the distribution of nutritional supplements: “Our foundation continues its commitment to young people , with this donation of € 200,000 as support in a joint project with Unicef. And the goal is the construction of a drinking water pump and the distribution of nutritional supplements for children in Kenya, ” he wrote on his Twitter account, adding the Choose to Believe hashtag.

It must be said that this is the first time that the fivefold gold balloon donates to the needy. It will be remembered that last November, he had always distributed through his foundation, meals to 15,000 children in Mozambique. He had also financed the construction of a children’s cancer center in Barcelona with an estimated payment of € 2.5 million. Lionel Messi recently made a donation to his hometown of Rosario. He refurbished a sports complex in a deprived area.

Despite these many gestures of generosity highly commendable, the Argentine has recently been the target of attacks from some media. He is accused as well as his father Jorge of having laundered the money through his foundation. Charges that the interested party considers “totally unfounded”.

Remember that the foundation of Lionel Messi is part of the foundations of the richest footballers on the planet. Taking into account his income from Barça and his various sponsorship contracts, his personal fortune is estimated at € 347m.

Written by Oral Ofori

Meet the Pan-Africanist from Ghana Scientists trace DNA from a 200Who Was the First to Send a Ship to yr-old pipe found in Maryland to the U.S. for Blacks to Voyage Back to an enslaved woman from Sierra Africa Leone March

movement or the After slave act was a cause that originated in the U.S. in the 19th century.

The movement aimed to embolden those of African descent to return to Africa. The movement sparked the formulation of the American Colonization Society, sparked religious movements such as African-Americans questioning their conversion to Christianity and founding colonies in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In 1914, 500 Americans were geared to set sail to America on the Curityba, a former German steamer. Sam renamed the ship, S.S. Liberia and they all reconvened at Galveston, Texas.

In 1913, after traveling to the United States, gold coast merchant and Chief Alfred Sam began a quest to recall African-Americans back to their ancestral home. He enticed prospects by stating that there were “diamonds lying on the ground after a rain, trees that produced bread, and sugar cane as large as stove pipes.”

His aim was to convince African-Americans to not only invest in his company but to also reject the colonizers and “live a life of freedom.”

Alfred Charles Sam was born in the Gold Coast, in modern-day Ghana in 1880. More specifically he was born in Appasu, in the West Akim district.

Before becoming instrumental in the Back-toAfrica movement, he traded rubber and other goods. He claimed to acquire the title of Chief from his uncle, to honor the fact that he traveled to either the U.S. or the U.K.

Sam was educated at a mission school in Kyebi, in eastern Ghana.

In 1913, Sam began correlating with Herbert Macaulay; the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”.

Sam then visited the U.S. and began organizing meetings in Oklahoma and throughout America in an attempt to convince African-Americans to purchase $25 worth of stock in his company, Akim Trading Company.

Seemingly a ploy to gain money, Sam was seen as a fraudster and later cleared by the U.S. government of trying to scheme others. Rather, he proposed his intention was to boost trading between Africa and America by trading cocoa, coffee and mahogany.

Sam was supported by African Pioneer a journal dedicated to chronicling the Back-to-Africa movement.

The Back-to-Africa movement, the Colonization

In August 1914, the first round of travelers, 60 trained men and women voyaged with Sam. The group brought along agricultural tools, cement, flour, lime, lumber and household goods in hopes of establishing a settlement.

They arrived in Bathurst now Banjul, Gambia and Freetown, Sierra Leone in December 1914. They halted in Freetown due to the length of time it took the British government to verify the owner of the ship.

They eventually reached their destination, Saltpond in January 1915.

The settlers were filled with hope and received a gracious welcome at first. Ultimately, the local leaders in Akim stopped them from owning land. Other difficulties such as official restrictions, shortage of materials and malaria dampened their spirit. Some experienced financial and physical problems and others felt misled by Sam’s promises and were disheartened.

In the end, some emigrated to Liberia and surrounding areas and others returned to Oklahoma.

In September 1915, Sam attempted to send a second group to Ghana. Nonetheless, his company collapsed with many of the future settlers losing their valuable possessions and savings.

Sam then sold the S.S. Liberia and continued to work as a merchant.

Sources are divided on how and where Sam spent his last days. There are accounts of him either moving to the U.S. or Liberia.

Sam died in the 1930s.

Source:howafrica.com

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Champaign carried out an analysis of the pipe stem. The results were subsequently passed to Schroeder at the University of Copenhagen, which has a database of African DNA. The successive discovery was first reported in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Archaeologists from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration found this 19thcentury clay pipe at an excavation site.

Pic credit: Smithsonian.com When archaeologists unearthed the remains of stone-walled slave quarters at Maryland’s Belvoir plantation in 2015, they discovered thousands of artifacts believed to have been used by the people who were enslaved at the site.

These artifacts included animal bones and ceramic sherds, but what has produced shocking revelations is a 19thcentury clay pipe. According to the Washington Post, researchers were able to extract DNA from the pipe and later got details about the one who used it.

This is the first time scientists have taken human DNA from a 200-year-old pipe stem and connected it with someone’s ancestry, Dr Hannes Schroeder of the University of Copenhagen said.

“We usually study ancient human skeletal remains, so having the opportunity to recover a DNA from tobacco pipes a few hundred years old was a unique challenge,” Dr Ripan Malhi, head of an ancient DNA laboratory at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign was quoted by NBC Washington.

The Belvoir plantation where the pipe stem was found ran on enslaved labour from 1736 until Maryland ended the institution of slavery in 1864. What looked like a slave cemetery was recently found at the site, the Washington Post said.

Julie Schablitsky, the chief archaeologist with the Maryland state highway administration, has described the discovery as a “mind-blower”.

She said records show the existence of a slave trade route from Sierra Leone to Annapolis.

“You start with one small insignificant piece of tobacco pipe and you end up talking about one of the most significant events in American history,” Schroeder said.

Experts say the research is vital to the future study of enslaved individuals. It has shown that ancient artifacts can be used to identify the occupants of specific sites on plantations – those living in slave quarters or tenant homes owned by white people.

The research findings also show that personal objects may contain significant genetic clues about an enslaved person’s heritage.

“As soon as people stepped on those slave ships in Africa…whether they were from Benin or whether they were from Sierra Leone, wherever they were from, that identity was lost,” lead researcher, Schablitsky said.

“Their humanity is stripped from them. Who they are as a people has gone.”

Enslaved people, as a result, are not able to get information about their ancestral past.

The authors of the latest research, however, note that their discovery that a single pipe was used to connect a woman to a group in Sierra Leone represents “powerful knowledge.”

Pamela Brogden, of Hanover, has traced her ancestry back to Belvoir slaves. She can’t tell if she is linked to the DNA found on the pipe, but she is elated about the possibility.

“I know how hard the people of Sierra Leone are, how they’ve gone through almost a civil war to come back still thriving,” Brogden said.

The researchers said that the recent disMILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR covery of the slave quarters compelled Source: https://face2faceafrica.com them to re-examine historical documents connected to the plantation. This, has, in turn, helped descendants link themselves to the site.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-

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YES, It’s A RED HOT MARKET TO SELL or BUY

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOUSE

a buyer would want it and it will be difficult to negotiate.

• Make Minor Repairs as needed. This will give the property value. When a buyer sees that a property has more work, it may give the idea that, the property will be an issue after re-sale. This makes the house selling challenge. Make the house Sparkle.

Dear readers,

• Curb Appeal-keep the exterior clean, mow lawn, debris free to make it interesting and appealing as the potential buyer pulls in the front of the house.

These are a few items to keep in mind. However, a thorough recommendation can be given once a It is with great joy, I continue to have the free consultation is scheduled with me and an privilege to use this platform to share real estate information with you. With the current opportunity to view/tour your house is presented.

Depending on the condition of the house, approcondition of the real estate market, being priate recommendation will be made, based on the extremely hot, there have been many quesone on one consultation. Not only do I give free tions that has come through from sellers consultation in selling your house, I am also able seeking guidance on how to position their to help you buy a house as well. house to sell for big bucks. I thought to share these few tips with you if you are conI can be reached at 571-229-6694 or borderlesssidering to sell your house. realestate@gmail.com Sometimes selling your house can be a big decision to make; especially if there are so Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® many memories built in that home.

Samson Properties Although, it is tough to make that ultimate decision, it is also important to reshape your Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and Maryland mind and understand that new chapter you Licensed Life and Health Insurance are entering either downsizing, upsizing CONTACT 571-229-6694 etc…

Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com Website: borderlessrealestate.com Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

•Try to disassociate yourself from the house.

This will give you a clear mind and make a great decision to select an appropriate person such as realtor to assist you in selling the house.

•De-personalize it. Remove any items or arts that have personal attachment such as family photos etc… The buyer needs to connect with the house and visualize or see the space as his/her potential home.

•De-clutter the house. This is an excellent opportunity to get rid of things that you have not used in a long time and perhaps, give it to someone you can use it.

•Consider renting a storage space to store items that is not being use immediately to create more space visualization for the potential buyer.

•Remove or replace customized or specialized fixtures that you do not want it convey as part of the selling. If it is left in the house,

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The Procrastination Syndrome That Ails Ghana

My beloved country Ghana just turned sixty-two (62) years. Sixty-two (62) years not representing our age as a country but rather years we have spent as an Independent nation. Full of optimism emanating from a future that promised so much, a future as bright as the star we have come to accept being associated to ourselves, it is easy to see why the people were so happy back then. Fast forward from that time to now and I bet the people who fought so hard knowing the risk of their lives being at stake would not only be disappointed but also have a regretting feeling concerning the current state of the country, to see that we have not been able to build on the optimism they had back then to make significant strides or build on what they left behind.

From greed, through bribery and corruption to procrastination, one can mention factors that number more than or equal the number we have spent as an Independent nation. In juxtaposing the success and failures of the nation, we can see the negatives far outweigh the positives, thus, the reason we find ourselves in this pitiful state as a nation.

Of all the factors that have riddled us as a nation, the sole focus of the write up will be on PROCRASTINATION. Procrastination on the part of you and I as individuals, procrastination on the part of us as a collective in the form of groups, institutions, and procrastination on the part of the whole group and individuals that make up the government and Nation. One may ask what Procrastination is.

Procrastination, nice as its name may sound, is an unpleasant thing to find yourself entangled in. It is the act of postponing, delaying or putting off, especially habitually or unintentionally. It is the act of postponing or delaying a set of tasks. It is the force that prevents you from following through on what you set out to do. In seemingly defending it, people say procrastination is a challenge that we have all faced at one point or another. For as long as Humans have been around, we have been struggling with delaying, avoiding and procrastinating on issues that matter to us.

For the sake of the concept under review, I could not have agreed enough with Napoleon Hill description of Procrastination as the “bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday”. Charles Dickens also weighs in with his own definition by saying “Procrastination is the thief of time” and as the thief, there is no doubt it has stolen the progress and joy of Ghanaians. It is no doubt one of the most common and deadliest diseases as its toll on success and happiness is heavy (Wayne Gretzky).

Ghanaian Citizens have allowed this disease and or syndrome to eat us up so much that we only wait for the coming up of an occasion or event, the visit of a perceived important or esteemed figure and most sadly, tragically and far more costly, a disaster or accident before we act or do the right thing that should have been done but for procrastination. The just ended 62nd Independence Day which was held in Tamale in the Northern Region is a typical example of how this canker has engulfed the whole region and the nation as a whole. Tamale, known to be one of the dirtiest cities in Ghana is now in contention for the nearest city. Because the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo was coming to grace the Independence Day. Most roads leading to the town center now have street lights and painted white. Ghana flags were positioned at vantage areas in the metropolis and dustbins were placed too to prevent citizens from littering the city. The Aliu Mahama sports stadium which was in a deplorable state was painted and renovated just for a day’s program. Before this occasion Tamale was an eye saw. Rubbish bins can be over full for weeks without it been disposed of, most of the streets had no light and traffic lights were not functioning. But before then, all these problems I have mentioned were problems which should have been worked on and not to have waited for an occasion like this for all these to be done.

There is no doubt that our bid to rectify the problems we have created through procrastination places us under more pressure. As we have often ended up on the wrong side of affairs in cases like the aforementioned, we end up spending more money than we should have had if not procrastination and found ourselves under pressure. To some extent, we end up losing valuable lives as a result of disasters coming from procrastination, which is far

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Ethiopian Airlines probe: What do we know?

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inside. But the casing could be crushed which means soldering it open.

Connectors inside could also be damaged which means starting the analysis could be delayed further.

Once data chips are in hand, the information stored needs to be interpreted.

Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed on Sunday morning killing all 157 people on board.

It's led to a serious crisis for Boeing. The company manufactured the 737 Max 8 plane that was involved. The model has now been grounded globally as the pressure mounts in a search for answers.

Current estimates of the number of 737 Max 8 and 9s grounded ranges from 350 to 370. That represents a significant cost for airlines using the plane as routes, schedules and passengers are affected.

The race is on for investigators to find answers and fast.

What do we know?

The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), or black boxes as they are often called, arrived in France on Thursday morning for inspection by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA), the French version of the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch.

Ethiopian inspectors chose to send the black boxes to France even though there are similar facilities in Nigeria, Dubai, Singapore, Germany and here in the UK at Farnborough.

But it is the country where the accident happens that makes the decision on where the black boxes go.

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The BEA in France is a highly respected organisation with considerable expertise in this area.

In addition, part of the engines on the Boeing 737 Max 8 are manufactured by a French American conglomerate so this may have played a part.

How did they find the black boxes?

One of the biggest challenges in air accident investigation is locating the black boxes after a crash.

In modern aircraft, the black boxes are fitted at the back of the aircraft as history has shown that this area tends to sustain crash impact better.

In the instance of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, the plane is reported to have hit the ground nose first at high speed. The rear of the aircraft was therefore closer to the surface which made it easier to find and retrieve the black boxes.

Now they've got the black boxes, what comes next?

Firstly, what state are they in?

Black boxes are engineered to withstand huge force in order to protect the all-important data chips

The BEA tweeted a picture of a black box from the Ethiopian Airlines plane But the way that data is stored is not the same across the industry. Recording differs between specific aircraft models, operators and airlines.

For completely accurate data, conversion information held by Ethiopian Airlines will be necessary. It is hoped that conversion detail is readily available.

Each black box holds 25 hours of flight information.

The last flight will be the prime focus but previous flights (over the 25 hour period of the recording) are also likely to be looked at to see if there were any anomalies.

What about the investigation in Ethiopia?

The investigation in Ethiopia will be led by an investigator from that country, but will be assisted by teams from around the world, all with an interest in the crash.

The US will have sent investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board, as the Boeing 737 Max-8 was manufactured there.

It is also thought French investigators are on site due to the black boxes making their way to France.

Three investigators from the UK arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday to provide assistance, but plans are being made for them to return to the UK.

The BEA tweeted a picture of a black box from the Ethiopian Airlines plane When any data has been extracted, it will then be passed back to the lead investigator in Ethiopia, who will decide on the course of action and what information to release.

A former investigator told me that the team in Paris will work day and night because of the global interest in this crash and the impact it is having on airlines, passengers and, most importantly, the bereaved families.

Interest in the what happened with Ethiopia Airlines flight 302 has been heightened because of reported similarities with a Lion Air crash in Indonesia in October 2018. Both flights were using the Boeing 737 Max 8.

But it could be tomorrow, the weekend or next week before we start to get the first answers.

By Simon Browning Transport producer https://bbcnew.com

Investigators in Ethiopia are continuing to search for evidence What are the investigators on the ground looking at?

How investigators work on the ground differs from country to country dependent on the lead investigator. But generally, separate teams will focus on different disciplines.

Core areas include:

Engineering: Understanding how the plane's workings, design and systems contributed Operations: Interviewing eye-witnesses, flight crew, operators and regulators Flight data: Black boxes, surveillance and en-route radar, CCTV, still and video cameras Human factors: Understanding how the sequence of events led to the accident.

The investigation in the field is only the start of a very long process.

Once everything has been documented and photographed, and witnesses have been contacted, the wreckage is usually recovered and transported to a secure facility for extensive analysis.

Timing - what can we expect?

Work on the black boxes will begin in Paris on Friday.

The first image of a black box reveals the damage it sustained after the crash and subsequent explosion.

Bereaved families have been paying their respects at the crash site

Bereaved families have been paying their respects at the crash site

Getty Images

Here Are 7 Mistakes To Avoid During A Visa Interview

March

Unfortunately, obtaining a visa has become quite complicated for many people because of their inability to meet the requirements, especially during the interview. For your convenience, here are 7 tips that will help you during the interview.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest chapel in the world can be found on the Niagara Avoid inappropriate responses River close to Niagara-on-the-Lake in Before going for your interview, prepare yourself enough Canada. Known as the Living Water to avoid inappropriate responses. If you are not able to pre- Wayside Chapel, it was built in 1969 dict the questions that may be asked, you will find it diffi- by the Christian Reformed Church cult to give appropriate and thoughtful answers. and can contain only 6 people. This Familiarize yourself with frequently asked questions and fact remained undisputed until recent expected answers. findings in Uganda proved that the Guinness Book of World Records Avoid false information and answer all questions needs to be updated.

When applying for a visa, you must understand that the interview is simply a way for the diplomatic office to meet Discovered by two United Nations you and have more information about you. workers on an official mission while

Avoid providing incomplete documentation The documents required to confirm the accuracy of the information provided in the visa application form must be complete. Before you go to the interview, rest assured that you have all your documents

Avoid unnecessary information When questioned, be sure to understand the questions before answering. Exaggerated answers and useless explanations are not necessary. Your interviewer has no time to waste with your useless and irrelevant information. He just wants to get specific and clear information.

driving up the Biku Hill in Nebbi Town, Uganda, Solomon Oleny and his colleague, Miburu, together with their friend Godfred came across the magnificent chapel sitting gloriously on the hill.

The chapel has no known or given name yet but it’s popularly known as the Chapel on Biku Hill. Established in 1996, it was founded by nowretired Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Lordship Henry Luke Orombi in partnership with a Korean pastor known as Pastor Song.

Built with a mission to help Christians have a special interaction with God once they reach the hill and to have a very personal service, the magnificent but tiny building is built of stones with a height of 8ft and a width of 2.5 metres and forms part of a prayer centre located on the mountain top.

The chapel accommodates only three people with including the priest representing half the number of people who can fit into Canada’s Living Water Wayside Chapel which has been mistaken as the smallest church in the world.

According to Prime Uganda Safari, the whole centre and chapel were built aiming at spiritual healing for persons and church groups who visit for a special and personal encounter with God.

There is no known contending chapel in the world which makes the Chapel on Biku Hill the smallest chapel in the world. The chapel sits on the hill and overlooks Congo which is a walking distance from Biku. Several people still visit to pray for their country and neighbouring countries.

Respect the appointment time When you have an interview, the embassy or consulate will give you the exact date and time. So, do your best to get to the place of maintenance at least 15 minutes before the time. For example, if you have an appointment with the US Embassy, there is no room for delay because doors open at 6am.

Be presentable The way you present yourself during an interview, your clothes, your shoes, your make-up, your body posture and even the amount of perfume you wear is very important.

Remember that the first impression you give of you counts enormously. So, dress responsibly.

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African Doctor Makes See the world’s smallest Church in Uganda that history. Finds Solution to only Accommodates three Deafness and, performs

Getting a visa is not as difficult as many people think. Two things are essential for you to come into possession of this precious sesame without stress: complete documents and absolute confidence.

So, not answering some questions does not help you.

Similarly, giving false information reduces your chance of obtaining the visa, as the diplomatic office will reconfirm all the information you provide during the interview and in the application form.

2019

world's 1st 3D inner-ear surgery

Thabo Moshiliwa, 40, and 62-year-old Simon Bohale were the first two people to have the surgery - Prof Tshifularo revealed the surgery is a long-lasting solution to hearing loss and it is a more affordable procedure Prof Tshifularo, who is the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at University of Pretoria also known as Tuks, was the brains behind the breakthrough surgical procedure. The Citizen reported that the procedure is a long-term solution to conductive hearing loss.

Making it even more impressive, the surgery can be done on anyone, from adults to babies.

The surgery was performed at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital on Wednesday. Legit.ng gathered Thabo Moshiliwa, 40, was the world's first recipient of the 3Dprinted middle ear bone. It was reported that the surgery on Moshiliwa took an hour and a half to complete since trauma to his ear complicated operation. However, it was revealed the 40-year-old's surgery was in fact a success. The second patient, 62-year-old Simon Bohale, has an underdeveloped middle ear. His occupation as a welder also contributed to his hearing loss and the conditioned worsened in 1983. He said: “I am excited. I have had two surgeries before but was not 100% okay. I cannot wait to hear people when they speak to me.”

Some social media users were impressed with the procedure and they took to social media to honour Prof Tshifularo and his team. Rowan Sewchurran commented: "What a boss." Tamarin Lloyd wrote: "How do I go about seeing a dr at Steve Biko who could possibly help me in this way. This would be amazing to be able to hear in both ears."

Chapel on Biku Hill vs. Living Water Wayside Chapel

Do not be nervous

Getting an interview full of nervousness can affect your performance. Even if your visa application documents are complete, nervousness and lack of confidence could ruin your interview.

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Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his team at the University of Pretoria

Chinese Surgeon Performs 'World First' Remote Brain Surgery On A Parkinson's Patient Who Was 3,000km Away

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In a video posted on YouTube by New It involves implanting very fine wires China TV, Dr Ling said: 'We hope in with electrodes at their tips into the brain. the future we can take advantage of the 5G network to enable more hospitals to These are connected to extensions under carry out remote surgery. the skin behind the ear and down the neck, which then connect to a pulse gen- 'In this way more patients will be able erator. to receive teatment at their local hospitals.'

When the device is turned on, electrodes deliver high-frequency stimulation to the Dr Ling performed the operation from targeted area, which changes signals in Sanya, on the island of Hainan, while A doctor has performed the first ever the brain that cause Parkinson's symphis patient was in Beijing more than brain surgery over a 5G mobile network, toms.

1,800miles (3,000km) away+3 according to Chinese media.

Dr Ling performed the operation from The brain is not destroyed in the process. Sanya, on the island of Hainan, while A patient with Parkinson's disease his patient was in Beijing more than allegedly had an implant put in their DBS is usually reversible.

1,800miles (3,000km) away brain by a doctor who was more than 1,800miles away (3,000km).

It does not stop Parkinson's progressing The operation was performed with the and is not a cure. help of the China Mobile network and The doctor who did the operation said and Huawei's 5G technology. the new technology could make it easier Source: Parkinson's UK for medics to operate on people who live CGTN said operations have already in more remote areas and can't travel.

A deep brain stimulation implant is a been carried out over 5G – notably a Dr Ling Zhipei, a surgeon at the device which acts as a sort of pacemaker liver surgery last week – but not on People's Liberation Army General for the brain. neurosurgery patients.

Hospital in Beijing, did the procedure while thousands of miles away, accord- Electrodes are placed deep inside the The patient who received the brain ing to China Global Television Network organ and used to regulate electrical sig- implant from Dr Ling reportedly said 'I (CGTN). nals which pass through it. feel good', after the procedure.

Using surgical robots he inserted a deep brain stimulation implant – a device used to try and control the tremors Parkinson's patients suffer – into the patient's brain.

The procedure was carried out on Saturday and lasted about three hours.

It isn't clear exactly how Dr Ling controlled the machines from his location, only that he was able to use mobile internet to move them 'almost in real time'.

Dr Ling was working in the city of Sanya on the island of Hainan, which is off the south coast of China, near Vietnam. Beijing, meanwhile, is in the north.

Dr Ling said: 'The 5G network has solved problems like video lag and remote control delay experienced under the 4G network, ensuring a nearly realtime operation,' according to CGTN.

'And you barely feel that the patient is 3,000 kilometers away.'

WHAT IS DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) helps to control movement problems and is the main type of surgery used to treat Parkinson's.

Parkinson's disease is caused by nerve damage in the brain which means electrical signals are uncontrolled, which can cause stiffness and shaking in muscles.

The incurable brain disease is thought to affect as many as 10million people globally – approximately 145,000 in the UK. By regulating nerve signals the implant can help to bring a patient's movements under control and restore normal muscle function.

Experts hope improvements in remotecontrolled surgery will make it easier for people to have operations without travelling to major cities.

The operation was performed with the help of the China Mobile network and and Huawei's 5G technology.

CGTN said operations have already been carried out over 5G – notably a liver surgery last week – but not on neurosurgery patients.

The patient who received the brain implant from Dr Ling reportedly said 'I feel good', after the procedure. https://www.dailymail.co.uk

Nigeria is Now the Highest Producer of Rice in Africa March

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Nigeria has overtaken Egypt as the largest rice producer in Africa. Nigeria now produces 8 million tonnes out of the Africa average of 14.6 million tonnes of rice annually. Egypt used to produce 4.3 tonnes annually but suffered a decline of almost 40 percent in the last one year.

By Juliana Agbo Contrary to the report that says Nigeria produces 4 million tons of rice, the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) says it has established that instead, Nigeria being the largest producer of rice in Africa is producing 8 million tons of rice annually.

The RIFAN President, Aminu Goronyo who disclosed this said Nigeria has two rice farming season, in each season according him, 4 million tons of rice is produced.

He said the annual rice production of Nigeria is put at Eight million tonnes annually with twelve million farmers engaged in the production of the commodity.

Goronyo said Nigeria has no option than to put a total ban on rice importation before the end of this year.

“We have two cropping seasons of production and each season we produce an average of 4 million tons that will give you 8 million tons per annum”, Goronyo said.

He added that the association is collaborating with the federal government towards reducing the cost of production which will as well bring down the price of milled rice in the market.

“We have enough paddy in ground, the same thing with rice Millers, they have more than enough in stock, which means that we don’t need to import paddy of milled rice”, Goronyo added.

Also, Rice Millers have described smuggling as a major challenge confronting rice production and its business in the country.

The National President of Rice Millers, Muhammed Abubakar Maifata says smuggling is capable of crippling rice business in the country.

He appealed to Nigerian Customs and other security Agencies to come out with other strategies that will address the menace.

“Smuggling is our major challenge, rice keep on coming through land borders despite the fact that government has banned importation through land borders”, Maifata says.

https://allafrica.com

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March

2019

YEAR OF RETURN TO GHANA 2019: AKWAABA!!

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by The Wysteria Group/INEZ INTERNATIONAL.LV

Moneky Sanctuary. They'll jump right out of the trees on to your arm for a nice banana treat. Then there is nothing like a waterfall massage from the Wli Waterfall. It is the tallest waterfall in Western Africa. Be sure to bring water socks or some type of shoe that can get wet because there are stones and rocks on the floor of the falls. Yes, the water is cold ....but it's worth it!!! Enjoy the interesting cuisine and rooms with mood lights at Kiki's in the Volta Region. Pack light.

Day 9 - Chale Wote Street Art Festival is aaaall that -- featuring some of Africa's most talented artists. It's amazing!! There will be plenty of vendors for those who still need to grab a few things. Enjoy cusine at Mama Africa's and return to the street fest to catch the parade of locals. Due to the massive crowd it may not hurt to give everyone a time and location to meet back up.

Description 2019 marks the 400th year since the MIDDLE PASSAGE. The country of Ghana has extended open arms for all African Americans and descendants in other countries whose ancestors were victimized by the brutalities of slavery to return home during this year of memorial observance.

GHANA TOUR 2019

If you missed our trip, here's your chance again!! Join the FB travel group: Inez International.LV for full itinerary and details.

Cost: $1,750.00 ~ Payment Options: Monthly $175 or Quarterly $525

AUGUST 15 - 25, 2019 (10 days/9 nights)

August is a wonderful time to travel to Ghana because it is the month of the Chale Wote Festival, which is a cultural arts festival held yearly and is steadily growing. 2018's attendance was nearly 50,000 ppl.

Arrival at host hotel -- Msuites. You will receive shuttle service to the hotel from (ACC) Kokota International Airport -- get settled mingle -- get a bite to eat and drink.

Day 1 - ACCRA -- Tour the surrounding area, visit local markets, Drumming 101, Kwasi Nkrumah Memorial Museum and Burial Site, Black Star National Square, WEB Dubois Pan African Museum, local restaurant

Day 2 & 3 - Pack your bags because we are relocating to KUMASI at the Amankwaa Bed & Breakfast. Okomfo Anokye Sword Museum, Manhyia Palace, Potter's Village Children's Shelter, Asante Naming Ceremony -- the elders will need the day of your birth. You will be given a Soul Name which is the day of the week you were born and a Spirit name which is your character. It is customary to wear white -- but not mandatory. (Be sure to use the bathroom before going to the village) lol. Kumasi Market -- get unique fabrics for a local seamstress to design apparel for you, purchase fresh foods if you dare, shea butter, black soap, etc. Local cuisine.

Day 4 & 5 - Donkor Nsuo (Slave River) at Assin Manso. You may want to roll up your pants legs or wear shorts if you get in COST: $1,750.00 -- Monthly $175 -- first payment due by Oct the river. This was the last our ancestors were allowed to bathe 15, 2018 Quarterly $525 First half of balance due by March 15, before the 3 weeks trek to the slave castles through the forest and rough terrain.bound in chains and naked from head to toe.

2019 $875.00 ....Final payment due by July 1, 2019 ** Check in to Coconut Grove and enjoy the tranquility of the ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS AFTER MARCH 15TH. You beach resort after the emotions of Slave River ...dine, ride the can mail payments or post payments to the following link: horses, get a drink from the bar, play pool, shop at the gift https://www.paypal.me/WysteriaGroup For proper payments for store or get a coconut Ghanaian style 1, 2, 3--straw. Next day trip please scroll below and read full trip details ***DO NOT visit the Cape Slave Castle for a historic tour of their grueling MAKE YOUR PAYMENTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE TRIP. accounts in the dark dungeons before exiting the Door of No ONLY USE BOX BELOW IF MAKING A DONATION TO "ELEVATE TO EDUCATE ABROAD" SCHOLARSHIP PRO- Return. Trust me ...their spirits are still heavily there. Return to Coconut Grove for meditation, rest and relaxation.

GRAM

*Does not include airfare, passport, visa, yellow fever shot and malaria pills.

Please contact me when you are ready to purchase your airfare.

Once I find out your location I can tell you the comparable rates I have through my agency portal. *I will walk you through the process of getting your passport, visa, etc. * Please DO NOT book your departure flights prior to the last day of the tour. It will throw off the itinerary. *Traveling abroad my cause some anxiety but trust me ...YOU CAN DO THIS and it will be an experience of a lifetime. Ase'

The tour will include:

Day 6 - Return to our host hotel in Accra -- MSuites to enjoy a day to relax, swim in the Olympic size pool, enjoy a drink at the open air bar at Paparazzi, smoke Hookah and/or discuss hitting the shores of Labadi Beach. Enjoy local cuisine near the AC Mall or hotel restaurant.

Day 7 - Head to Kakum National Park in Central Ghana, climb the mountain and traverse across the 7 swinging canopy bridges if you dare. For the faint of heart -- don't worry -- there is an outdoor lounge just for you. Walk through the tranquil Aburi Botanical Gardens just outside of Accra.

Day 8 - Enjoy feeding the Mona Monkeys at the Tafi Aotme

Day 10 -- Guests depart for the airport based on their itinerary.

We will provide shuttle service. If anyone decides to leave on Day 11 please let us know ahead of schedule so that we can make sure accommodations remain and notify of additional charges. Rooms are based on double occupancy. If you MUST have a single please provide an extra $400 to your total.

THIS IS A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Airfare is not included due to participants departing from various cities/states. Inez International.LV will assist with comparable rates.

What can I bring into the event?

Passport/Visa/Yellow Fever Immunization Record

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

inezinternational@gmail.com or join FB travel group: Inez International.LV Payments can be made via: personal check, cashier's or m.o. or online via paypal -https://www.paypal.me/WysteriaGroup ***DO NOTO MAKE YOUR PAYMENTS ON THIS SITE FOR THE TRIP. ONLY USE BOX BELOW IF MAKING A DONATION TO "ELEVATE TO EDUCATE ABROAD" SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM What's the refund policy?

There are absolutely NO REFUNDS after March 15th. We are dealing with international travel, accommodations and excursion fees.

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Ghana Embassy in Washington DC Mark Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary

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March 2019

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On March 6, 2019 an array of guests, mostly from the diplomatic and business communities thronged the Ghana Embassy In Washington DC for the celebration of the 62nd Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence. The celebration was on the theme “Celebrating peace and unity”.

Ghana's Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, assisted by his Wife and Diplomatic Staff welcomed envoys of other nations, State Department Officials, friends of Ghana and Ghanaian Community leaders to the Embassy. Also present were Arikana Chihombori-Quao the African Union Ambassador to the United States and H.E. Hon. Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the USA. The Ghanaian community was also in attendance, including students. Ghana gained independence from its last colonial master, Great Britain on 6th March 1957, becoming the first in sub-Sahara Africa to achieve the political feat which is said to have energised the country’s founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah to set for himself a goal to ensure many of the then remaining African countries under colony gained their political freedom.Ghana, subsequently became beacon of hope for the entire continent, promoting vigorously the African Unity agenda, which culminated in the founding of the Organisation of African Union (OAU), now African Union.

Ghana's Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Barfuor AdjeiBarwuah

Receiving H.E. Hon. Justice Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor, Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the USA

Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah and His Wife Mrs. Dinah Adjei-Barwuah

Mr. John Nyarko, NPP Chairman of Washington Metro Area

Traditional Drumming and Dancing

Ghanaian Actress Joycelyn Dumas With the Ambassador and Wife

Marking the Year of Return for people of African descent to make the journey back, with Ghana leading the way with its open arms.

Representative of the US State Department

Representatives of Destiny Ministers Network Rev. Dr. Clarke, Rev. Gyebi Ababio and Rev. Achiaa

AU Ambassador and Some Friends of Ghana

Embassy Staff With the Ambassador and Wife

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