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Vol 11 Issue 9
September 2019
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AMDIE / WINVESTNET Host 1st U.S. Africa Investment Meeting (AIM) Roadshow in Washington, DC
Afrikan Post
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 ju n e 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.
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George Kwasi Bright Publisher and Editor
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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Jollof Wars: West African Countries score wins at 2019 Jollof Festival in US Pg.33
Ghana National Gas Company Partners With Olympian Akwasi Frimpong Pg. 27
Otumfuo Visits World Bank Page 25
HER PAGE
You Have No Idea Pg. 11
Africa’s largest ancestry DNA reveal takes place in Ghana as 250 Americans retrace a 400-year slave route Pg. 9
UPDATE Sankofa Radio In The US Wins 2019 Best Online Radio Award Page 26
Mr. Reda Rami, Chairman & Founder of WINVESTNET (left) and H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, AU Permanent Representative to the U.S. (right), presenting the Africa Investment Award to AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry H.E. Albert Muchanga
World Trade Center, Ronald Reagan Building – Washington, DC
By Frederick Nnoma-Addison, Event Moderator
The African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, H.E. Albert Muchanga has stated that the July 7 launch of the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created an exceptionally large market that offers enhanced opportunities for joint ventures with foreign companies looking for reliable partners in Africa. He encouraged investors to therefore move in, now that the market is operational, “to capitalize on first-mover advantages.”
Commissioner Muchanga made these remarks during his keynote address at the Africa Investment Meeting Roadshow held at the World Trade Center, Ronald Reagan Building, in Washington, DC on Tuesday October 1, 2019. He explained that the Continental Free Trade Area is favorable to foreign investors as follows. “Now that AfCFTA is operational, companies that are able to produce to scale will be incentivized to start investing in Africa, and that will give them the capacity to be exporting to larger markets because they invested a lot of money. So, by aggregating, we are also promoting a large-scale investment, which can now produce at a larger scale, satisfy Africa, and export products to the rest of the world.” Commissioner Muchanga said.
He also dispelled some international misperceptions and reiterated one of the agreement’s key merits. “The African Continental Free Trade Area is not closing Africa from the rest of the world – we are opening it to the rest of the world by creating the necessary capacity.” Before his keynote address, H.E. Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao introduced Commissioner Muchanga to the attendees and praised him for his exceptional vision and execution of the signature African Union initiative.
African nations launched the operational phase of the landma free trade accord at the African Union Summit in Niamey, Niger on July 7, creating what leaders hope will be the world largest free trade area.
African Investment Meeting (AIM) Road Show is a signature event of WINVESTNET, an investment platform established 1998, dedicated to Africa’s infrastructure & strategic projects In recent years, the Roadshow has stopped in Dakar, Beijing, Shanghai, and Casablanca, and has sourced and presented hun dreds of viable projects to investors for funding. Mr. Reda Rami Chairman & Founder of WINVESTNET presented info mation about his organization and the African Investment Marketplace – the vehicle through which WINVESTNET pre ents its viable and bankable projects to its pool of investors.
The Washington Roadshow was organized in partnership with AMDIE – Morocco’s Investment and Trade Agency in charge of promoting Morocco as a foreign investment destination, supporting Moroccan exporters and assisting Moroccan comp nies investing abroad.
A total of sixteen countries participated in the Washington, D event with the goal of exploring funding opportunities for gov ernment infrastructure projects or identifying viable projects requiring funding. They are: Algeria, Benin, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Lesotho, Malawi Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Zambia, Switzerland, and the United States.
The Embassy of Zambia screened a short film to highlight the investment opportunities the country offers and Moroccan off cials Ms. Nejma El Houda Bouamama and Mr. M’hamed Ben Mokhtar presented Morocco as a “Gateway to Africa” for American investors seeking to businesses with the entire cont nent. Mr. Gregory Simpkins, Senior Advisor, Africa Bureau USAID and Mr. Scott Ticknor, Senior Advisor to the Presiden Corporate Council on Africa represented their organizations a the event.
AIM Roadshow continues to Beijing on October 22.
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Precious Hannah Ewoo-Asiem launches ‘Nea ‘Sepe Me Kra’ Gospel album in US 2019
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all see the love of Christ and to appreciate the fact that He will soon return.
Listen to the new track in this link https://www.reverbnation.com/precioushannahewoo/song/31073410-nea-sepe-me-kra-ft-ebenezer-edumadze
Precious Hannah is also a Nurse Educator by Profession and works at a teaching Hospital in Maryland. Find out more about her on Facebook by searching Precious Hannah Ewoo and watch out for upcoming announcements about new projects she is working on.
Written by Oral Ofori
Michael Amponsah of MIKESH Productions in Ghana produced the title track which also bears the same name as the album — ‘Nea `Sepe Me Kra‘ — which features Ebenezer Edumadzie of Kosao SDA Youth Choir and background vocals by soprano singer Constance Osei of Christline Youth Choir, all respectively in Ghana. ‘Nea `Sepe Me Kra‘ is the title of the fourth album of Precious Hannah Ewoo-Asiem, a Ghanaian Gospel artist based in the United States (US) who is affectionately called Precious Hannah by her fans. The album was launched August 10, 2019, at the Washington Ghanaian Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Maryland, US.
Koff Agyekum, One Voice Choir Ghana, and Bright Appiah Nkansah aka “Banky,” all of whom are carving a niche for themselves in the Ghanaian Gospel music circles today.
Pastor Doctor Andrews Ewoo, an International Evangelist of the SDA Church and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ewoo who are the parents of Precious Hannah were among the The Gospel songwriter and performer in an interview special guests who had flown in from Ghana for the with TheAfricanDream.net explained that ‘Nea `Sepe album launch. Other guests in attendance the singer’s husMe Kra‘ when interpreted from the Akan language of band Elder Ebenezer Asiem and some key members withGhana into English simply means “All That Thrills My in the SDA community in the Washington, DC metro Soul”. Precious Hannah said she chose this title because area. no one can cheer the heart like Jesus. From SDA Hymn 189 she stressed her point by singing “‘…All that thrills my soul is Jesus; He is more than life to me; and the fairest of ten thousand, in my blessed Lord I see…'” to drive home her point. “Since the release of my first album titled ‘Onyame Adom’ in 2013 I have continued to be filled with the blessings of the Lord, and I can not help but confess that it brings a great thrilling effect to my soul,” said Precious Hannah.
The remaining songs on the 11-track album feature a few rearranged SDA hymns and compositions by Stephen Dougan and James Armah. Others featured are
“My music is inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my fans are not SDA alone, but all who enjoy and love the Gospel, which is why I want to assure everyone that this album has something in it for all,” Precious Hannah promised all lovers of music. The album is currently available on all online music stores including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and Deezer.
Management of Precious Hannah informed TheAfricanDream.net of plans to launch this new album in Ghana sometime in December 2019. For now, Hannah’s prayer is that the songs on this album will help
Precious Hannah with a fan at the launch
The Ghana Diaspora Development Corporation In Collaboration With Brobbery International Group And Bennet Real Estate Usa Have Organized A Real Estate Expo 2019 To Showcase The Potential Of The Real Estate Sector September
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tor.” Mrs. Jackson-Caldwell, a US-based International real estate agent at the expo rallied African Americans in the Diaspora visiting Ghana as part of the Year of Return to consider the vast potential of the real estate sector in the country.
Property In USA She gave an assurance that her agency could assist Ghanaians who were also seeking to own real estate in the US to do so.
The Ghana Diaspora Development Corporation in collaboration with Brobery International Group and Bennet Real Estate USA has organized a real estate Expo 2019 to showcase the potential of the real estate sector in Ghana. Held at the Accra Tourism Information Center in Accra the expo sought to attract the African American community visiting Ghana or relocating to Ghana as part of the Year of Return 2019 to venture into the real estate sector in the country.
The expo dubbed: “Real estate, solutions for all,” was particularly targeting the coastal areas in the country such as Prampram in the Greater Accra Region as a conducive area for the African American Diasporas. The event created a platform for the organizers which are international real estate companies to showcase their capabilities of supporting those in the Diaspora to own real estate in Ghana.
Why the expo? Briefing the Daily Graphic after the expo, the Country Director of the Ghana Diaspora Development Corporation, Mr. Randy Baafour Brobbey, explained that the expo was his contribution to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo’s declaration of the Year of Return 2019. The event also paved the way for real estate experts to dialogue with captains already in the sector on ways to enhance the industry.
Mr. Brobbey said the expo was also to attract Ghanaians and those in the diaspora to own real estate in Ghana, giving the assurance that entering the real estate business did not require huge funding.
Perception He disabused that perception, explaining that in Ghana, the real estate wing of his company, Brobery International Group, could secure one from $50,000. “Indeed, you do not need to have $1 million or so to be able to enter the real estate business, he explained adding that the real estate business in Ghana was thriving, unlike other countries where it reached a point and got stuck. Mr. Brobbey said owing a real estate did not require someone to be as old as 45 to 50 years but that the youth could also venture into the real estate business.
Ghana’s real Estate He described the real estate sector in Ghana as a buyer’s market” explaining that the buyers had a lot of leverage because there was more real estate. Mr. Brobbey expressed the hope that the expo would result in bringing home more African Americas and those in the Diaspora under the year of return 2019 to invest in the sector. “ My call to this event is to get more of these Diasporas and the Black Americans, other nationals and Ghanaians to invest in the real estate sector: he stated. Mr. Brobbey was of the conviction that a thriving real estate sector would trigger a boom in the economy and create jobs for the youth.
Throwing more light on the impression that the guest speaker at the expo, Mrs. Malika Jackson-Caldwell, was wooing Ghanaians to own real estate in the USA, he said rather “ She was wooing Ghanaians and African Americans in the Diaspora to invest in the real estate sec-
Country Director of the Ghana Diaspora Development Corporation, Mr. Randy Baafour Brobbey
U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Nigerians Undermining the Democratic Process September
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Press Statement
Morgan Ortagus
Department of State Spokesperson July 23, 2019
12656 Lake Ridge Drive, Suite C Woodbridge, VA 22192 Tel: 571-285-5242 www.thoronkalaw.com
A Law Firm with a Difference Call Today 571-285-5242
The United States is a steadfast supporter of Nigerian democracy. We commend all those Nigerians who participated peacefully in the February and March 2019 elections and have worked to strengthen Nigerian democratic institutions and processes. As Nigeria marks the twentieth anniversary of a return to democratic rule this year, we remain committed to working together to continue to advance democracy and respect for human rights and achieve greater peace and prosperity for both our nations. We condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.
In a January 24 statement, the U.S. government said that we would consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for individuals responsible for undermining the Nigerian democratic process or for organizing election-related violence. To that end, the Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.
The Department of State emphasizes that the actions announced today are specific to certain individuals and not directed at the Nigerian people or the newly elected government. This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to realize its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy, accountability, and respect for human rights.
https://amipnewsonline.org
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Africa’s largest ancestry DNA reveal takes place in Ghana as 250 Americans retrace a 400-year slave route first African-American Tourism Ambassador.
The historic Jamestown to Jamestown trip, co-facilitated by Sunseekers Tours and the Ghana Tourism Authority, enabled 250 people including actor, Danny Glover, to go on the tour from Jamestown, Virginia, to Jamestown, Accra, to trace their ancestry.
It started with a prayer vigil and candle lighting ceremony on August 18 in Jamestown, Virginia, where the English ship, White Lion, “brought not anything but 20 and odd Negroes” as noted by John Rolfe, the plantation owner and official overseeing the colony, the 250 African Americans visited the Smithsonian Museum of African American history before moving to Ghana aboard a South African Airways flight.
They were welcomed with a royal durbar in Ghana which was joined by Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the chiefs and people of Jamestown, Accra. It was followed by a two-day African American Business Summit and a black-tie gala.
After the African Ancestry DNA reveal in Cape Coast, the participants visited the Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River Park aka the “Last Bath” and they performed a similar ceremony as in Jamestown, Virginia, where they captured water from the James River and wrote a message to their ancestors in a notecard and placed in a bonfire.
As dozens of African Americans gather at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Virginia, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first ship of enslaved Africans to English North America in 1619, some 250 African Americans also gathered across the Atlantic Ocean in Ghana where the first ship left Africa.
Source: https://www.face2faceafrica.com
At an emotional ceremony at the Cape Coast Castle, one of about forty slave castles built in the Gold Coast (Ghana), over 70 families discovered their ancestry during the African Ancestry DNA reveal which is arguably the largest ever in the continent.
AfricanAncestry.com used its most comprehensive database of indigenous African genetic sequences in existence to trace their ancestry back to specific present-day African countries and ethnic groups of origin dating back more than 500 years ago – the only company that can do that.
“We intentionally planned for it to happen at the same time history tells us the ships arrived in the US. To touch the water on both sides of the globe where the ships landed and from where they left 400+ years ago helps to sustain the paradigm shift we feel of Africans throughout the diaspora longing to return at the tectonic plate level under the ocean floor through our bodies on earth up through and above the clouds with thunder and lightning,” says Diallo Sumbry, President and CEO of The Adinkra Group, curators of the historic Jamestown to Jamestown trip to Ghana in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
He told Face2Face Africa in an interview that: “The return is spiritual in nature but manifests itself physically as it requires our bodies to physically return in order to envoke all our senses. Our spirits have been longing to return for a while,” adds Diallo Sumbry who is also Ghana’s
Photo: NAACP/ VANESSA MBONU
Jamestown to Jamestown participants at the Jubilee House, Ghana's seat of government -- Photo: The Adinkra Group
Danny Glover and members of the NAACP in Jamestown, Ghana for the Year of Return. They took a picture with the president Nana Akufo-Addo.
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2019 US Tour of Legendary Ghanaian vocalist Abrantie Amakye Dede, aka “Iron Boy”
On August 31, 2019, I had the pleasure of personally meeting for the first time Daniel Amakye Dede, aka “Iron Boy” in the United States (US). He is a legendary Ghanaian singer and songwriter affectionately called “Iron Boy” by his fans across the globe.
We met as part of my arrangements to get him an interview I had pre-planned with the Voice of America (VOA) studios in Washington, District of Columbia (DC). International reporter Peter Clottey of VOA conducted the interview. Peter chatted Amakye Dede on his show ‘Night Line Africa‘, aired on Saturdays and Sundays from midday to 1 PM DC time.
Born January 5, 1958, (I was born January 26, 1980) the music legend did not betray epitomizing his nickname — Abrantie — so well by his gentlemanly demeanor. As I ushered him into the VOA, I wondered how Mr. Dede stays so relevant even after beginning his music career in 1973 when he joined the Kumapim Royals as a composer and vocalist.
Read also: Kojo Antwi colonizes 6 American States in 6 weeks during 2018 Tour
I felt so tempted to ask, but oh well, I already agreed with myself that it was because he is such an intricate storyteller who weaves creative anecdotes with the lyrics of his music that d not only entertain the ear but teases the mind into pondering while leaving room for the feet to dance.
By the way, Abrantie in the Ghanaian Twi dialect means ‘young man‘ so there you go. Moving along, Amakye Dede was in town for his US Tour and had arrived a day before his sold-out concert in Washington, DC. Lucky for me, I had cleared up my schedule to meet him and yes the pleasure was all mine, for real, considering the first time he was in DC was in 1990. The premier highlife performer was joined by the young multi-talented Kwadwo Nkansah who dabbles as an actor, singer, but first and foremost, a comedienne too. Professionally referred
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Singer Maame Jane To Release Yet Another Gospel Album in New York
to as Lil Win, Mr. Nkansah indicated that he was in the US to support the legend Amakye Dede, disclosing that it was his first time to the US. Besides Lil Win, singer Kurl Songx was also on the bill of this tour.
Read also: Gyedu Blay-Ambolley on Simigwado and highlife history
Before arriving in DC to climax the show, the trio started their tour off with what they described as a successful gig at the GHANAfest concert in Chicago. From there they hit States like Ohio, Texas, and New York.
2Geez Entertainment were hosts of the DC show where the trio played at Karma Music Center. iBright events, however, collaborated with GNC and Steaman Entertainment to make this tour possible. I owe them all loads of thanks for also making it possible for me to meet Amakye Dede, the legend who provided many of the eclectic soundtracks to the story of my life as I grew up in Tema, Ghana.
Yes, I shot the interview at the VOA on my smartphone camera because I wanted to make sure you all got to see it, even though I didn’t bring my Nikon. I also obtained some snippets from the show that happened the following day on September 1, 2019. It is my small way of saying endless thanks to Iron Boy who has made some 20 albums in through his prolific career.
I have posted the video earlier talked about in this link https://youtu.be/u0B8AAoeICs, please enjoy and don’t forget to share it, thank you for supporting my work and the crew at TheAfricanDream.net over the years. Now let me go catch up on my Amakye Dede very oldies but goodies songs… Written by Oral Ofori
Celebrated Ghanaian gospel artist, Jane Ama Asantewaa Appiah-Okyere, popularly known by her followers as Maame Jane, will be releasing another inspirational and motivational album titled “Bribiara Beye Yie“, (All will be Well ). The event will be an album release concert that will take place in New York (NY) on October 26, 2019.
According to Oppong Clifford Benjamin of TheAfricanDream.net, the inspiration behind Maame Jane’s songs is God’s love that will not let us go! “As a Sinner saved by Grace, I can only yield to God’s will,” said Maame Jane, a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA), who added that her parents, as well as her husband, have been great sources of inspiration in her music ministry.
Just like her first album titled “Yesu Me Gefuo” (Jesus My Savior) released July 4, 2015, which contained her most popular songs like “Ene Nyame Nnko” and “Me Kronkronye Fri Awurade”, all composed by Newlove K. Annan, said Maame Jane to TheAfricanDream.net about her yet to be released album reported Oppong Clifford Benjamin.
Read also: Precious Hannah Ewoo-Asiem launches ‘Nea ‘Sepe Me Kra’ Gospel album in US
“Songs on this new album are unique but blend well with mainstream gospel music. She said her songs on the album are “mainly meditational and inspirational. After enjoying all life has given to us, we need to have time to reflect and connect with God during our time with Him,” the singer said.
Fellow Adventists Gospel singers Precious Hannah and Adwoa Benewaa Larbi will be among the special performers at the album release concert to happen at the North Bronx SDA Church at 401 Castlehill Avenue in Bronx, NY. Also on the bill will be performances by some Ghanaian SDA Youth Choirs.
When she’s not doing music, other things that engage her are gardening, the Gospel act told Mr. Benjamin that: “I love to work in my little garden, Having fresh tomatoes is a joy. I also love spending time with the youth and young adult. I try to encourage them to strive for the best in their education and also their commitment to God in all they do…“
Maame Jane has worked with Syracuse University, a private research university in Syracuse, New York for 14 years. She is currently a Business Analyst. Check out her official website at praisealways.com to learn more about her and be teased by one of her old music videos in this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTatiVjB evY as you await the new album.
Written by Oral Ofori
You Have No Idea
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Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah
ave you noticed that sometimes (actually most of the time) when you pray, you have so much on your prayer list that by the time you finish, you haven’t prayed for anyone else outside yourself and your immediate family? I have. We can get so wrapped up in ourselves and our needs that we forget to consider the needs of our friends, church family, community and our world at large. We fail to intercede for each other. One of the important lessons we learn from Jesus is that even while facing persecution and His pending crucifixion, He considered and prayed for his disciples. We have to keep this in mind so that we fulfill a crucial part of being imitators of Christ, interceding for each other. A critical area where we need to intercede for each other is our safety and well-being. I think we should continue to pray for our own personal safety, but praying for everyone’s well-being is key in protecting ourselves. When we intercede for each other, we close all gaps, all opportunities for the enemy to take a strong hold in our lives. We strengthen our core as well as our borders. It has become more and more necessary that we become cognizant of our responsibility to each other, for what affects one person affects us all. If anything, we must realize that if someone is not safe, then our safety too is not secured. I am moved to write on this subject because of the many accounts of senseless cruelty, violent crimes and deaths surrounding us. Each day, we are confronted with news from various communication sources citing grievous incidents. The information presented to us confirms that our world is only getting worse. We become disturbed and disheartened, but these are the signs of the times as the Bible has already warned us that we “will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Matt. 24:6-7) and that because “iniquity will abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matt. 24:12). Unfortunately, these events are not removed from us, but very close. We are living in dangerous times and we are all vulnerable to premeditated or random violence.
The news we hear is not the tale of someone else. The news is about us, not only because it is about mankind, but also because just as it happens to another person, it can easily happen to us. These narratives from the media are about our safety, our chances, and our tragedies. We can be hit hard with senseless violence and preventable tragedies. Even worse, our children are more vulnerable and there is almost no safe harbor for them. These days we can’t rest assured that they will be safe in their schools, the Boy Scouts or even in the church. There is someone always preying on them, pedophiles, child abusers of the emotional and physical kind, cruel and psychologically disturbed people. They can emotionally and spiritually impact our kids in a very harmful way. I don’t enjoy being the bearer of bad news, neither do I want to incite fear in anyone, but I think that as much as we might want to distance ourselves from such fearful thoughts and acts, we have to at least bear some reality in mind and then take the necessary steps to combat becoming victimized. As Christians, we are in the midst of warfare and must be vigilant and wise as the Bible advises. What do I mean by warfare? I mean that even as we go about innocently minding our business and living our lives as law-abiding and practicing Christians, danger is lurking somewhere, someplace. We have to understand that negative spiritual forces are at work against the lives of all people, even if one is a child of God. For instance, there are some accounts of individuals who walked close with God and had no idea that they were in warfare. The Apostle Peter walked closely with Jesus. If there was an inner circle within the twelve apostles and Jesus, Peter was certainly in that circle. He loved Jesus and Jesus loved him. Peter was passionate and even aggressive for the Lord, but Jesus knew that with all his passion and with all his good intentions for the ministry, Peter was like everyone else. He was a prey for the devil and the devil had set his sights on him. Peter was clearly unaware of this as Jesus revealed to him that “Satan had desired to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you….” (Luke 22:31). Just as he wanted with Peter, the enemy has a desire to destroy us, to render us useful for his kingdom or useless for God’s. But Christ’s revelation to Peter is one to us also. It warns us that we are not entirely safe and we shouldn’t take comfort in our ignorance. Although we can take comfort in knowing that Christ is watching over and praying for us, we also have to be aware that our adversary, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1st Peter 5:8). Knowing this, we are left with one important duty, to pray for each other. Christ’s example with Peter teaches us how we should relate to each other as
Christians. I think it even teaches us how we should relate to all people. We ought to intercede for each other. We ought to have foresight, empathy and compassion. Our compassion should not be activated after one has been sifted as wheat or completely destroyed. It should be constantly within us and expressed outwardly. A genuine expression of compassion is to remember each other in prayer. I remember that when I was younger, it puzzled me so much when someone would feel for another person whom they did not really know and they would cry or weep terribly for that person. My mother used to do that. I recall that when I was in high school, she received news on the death of an acquaintance’s daughter. I remember she cried and cried on the phone while talking with the family and then when she was done talking, with the phone still in her hand and her back against the yellow kitchen wall, she slowly slid down to the floor and cried even more. I looked at her as if something was wrong with her. I had heard parts of the conversation and deduced that a young girl had passed. Even still, I didn’t really understand why she was crying so terribly. I said directly and insensitively to her “why are you crying? You don’t even know the girl.” With tear tracks down her face, and tears still welling in her eyes, my mom quietly looked at me and said nothing. Quite a few years later and as life now counts me as a mother, I now understand what my mother felt. I will say that ever since I became a mother, I sense in me a pain and empathy I had never really felt for others before. I could be doing one thing or another and upon hearing of a particular tragedy that has occurred to another’s son, daughter, irrespective of the age, I become so disturbed that my eyes begin to well up with tears that I have to control myself by forcefully shutting down the tears that might want to make their way out of my eyes. I would force myself to endure the pain internally, especially when people were around just so that I wouldn’t appear as an emotional nutcase, a woman without any control of her feelings. There was one situation that I just couldn’t shut my heart and emotions down enough to restrain the flooding of the tears. A little five year old girl was raped and strangled. It turned out that her own mother had sold her into prostitution for a few dollars worth of drugs. The story resonated with me because I have a five year old niece; I also have a four year old daughter as well as help with children from infancy to five years old at my church. I know how I adore them and can only imagine how other mothers and families could easily adore their little princesses. There was no shutting down of the tears that time. I wept out loud in my home. I wept for the tragic loss of that girl’s life. After we have heard so many terrible accounts of such events, what are we doing about them beyond shaking our heads in disbelief? How are we expressing our compassion? How are we also working to prevent such a thing from happening to those near us and even
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ourselves? This girl’s situation reminds me of what Jesus said to Peter. He tells him that Satan had desired to sift him like wheat. Satan hasn’t changed and Peter is not the only intended victim. All the evil in the world is orchestrated by Satan’s dark forces and it is these forces that move human beings to become so destructive and murderous that they would harm little children. But aside from that particular news event, what of all the others like the adoptive mother in the state of Maryland who emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused, murdered and kept the bodies of two of her adopted daughters in a freezer? How could something like this happen? How could the domestic landscape become so tumultuous that a husband would intentionally set his wife on fire? While we hear these horrific stories, we have to remember that this is what Christ was talking about to Peter. We have to know that like Peter, we have no idea what the enemy is plotting against us, how he is ready to use someone to bring pain and heartache to our lives whether it will come by harming us directly or indirectly by harming a loved one. We have no idea. The great Job also had no idea that the devil had gone to God seeking permission to harm him. Consider all the destruction of his wealth, the death of all his children and what he physically suffered. Although Job was a righteous man, he didn’t know that he was in warfare and he certainly didn’t know that the enemy had intentions of destroying him, sifting him like wheat. So what are we to do, be nervous, insecure and intimidated by life? No, but we ought to recall the actions and words of Christ so that we will pray not only for ourselves but for each other. There is power in compassion, empathy and most importantly, prayer. There is power in interceding for each other. We ought to pray for our family, our church members, our neighbors, our children’s friends and acquaintances. We ought to pray for as many people as we can on a regular basis, so that we could spiritually thwart any physical manifestation of harm that the enemy of righteousness is plotting against lives. That is the action we should take. That is the advice inherent in Jesus’ words to Peter.
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Ghanaian Olympian Akwasi Frimpong invited by Nigeria to help discover the next Winter Olympians
Akwasi (5th left) pep talking the aspiring Nigerians in photo courtesy The Temple Company Akwasi and Seun in photo courtesy Team Frimpong
LAGOS, NIGERIA -- Olympian Akwasi Frimpong was in Lagos, Nigeria to help both the Bobsled & Skeleton Federation and the National Olympic Committee there with their first bobsled and skeleton coach’s clinic that was also attended by potential athletes.
Seun Adigun, Nigeria’s first Summer, and Winter Olympian also participated in the 2-day event which ran from August 29-31, 2019 at the Lagos National Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium in Surulere, Lagos State. During the combined sessions, local athletes were tested on their speed and strength before learning how to correctly push a bobsled and skeleton using improvised materials made from wooden sleds on wheels. There were more than 30 prospects between the ages of 18-30. Frimpong focused on skeleton and Adigun on the bobsled. Frimpong said on social media he was humbled and honored to receive such an invitation from Seun Adigun and Nigeria and that to him it was a no brainer to not accept the invitation. He explained to TheAfricanDream.net why he accepted the invite, "part of my mission as I work towards the 2022 Olympics in Beijing is to become the Hope of a Billion Africans by winning Africa’s first-ever Winter Olympics medal and inspire others to chase their own dreams." The Ghanaian Winter Olympian hopes his story will inspire more Africans to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics and beyond. In 2018, the Olympics had record-breaking participation of 12 athletes from Africa: "I want to see this number double at the 2022 Olympics and feel events like this coach’s clinic and combine can help achieve that by bringing people together to aspire to do the impossible," said Akwasi to TheAfricanDream.net in a phone interview.
Last week was all about discovering and developing winter athletes from Africa for Frimpong who founded the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Ghana in 2016. After founding the
Ghana Federation he traveled to Ghana and organized the first bobsled and skeleton clinics there.
Over the past 2 years, the local federation members in Ghana have organized several clinics in different regions in Ghana with the help of Frimpong who saw it a great privilege to extend that help to Nigeria. When asked about some of the challenges involved, Frimpong smiled as he responded with "I wish money was not an issue but unfortunately funding has always been a challenge for most organizations in the sport of bobsled and skeleton, Ghana and Nigeria being no exception. I have personally funded all previous clinics with my own money and I loved it, but I don't have the resources to keep doing this." It has become dire for local and governmental support as well as private sector participation to help fund this sport. This is why Frimpong hopes to continue to find help with pushing the movement to discover winter athletes in Ghana and not just among Ghanaians in the diaspora. Click here to watch a video recap from the day of the event, courtesy of the official Twitter page of Busy Buddies and find out more about Akwasi Frimpong on www.Frimpong.com Written by Oral Ofori
(Africa Publicist for Akwasi Frimpong)
One giant leap for Nigeria as a young man puts into practise what he is learning in photo courtesy The Temple Company.
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The forgotten first Ghanaian wife of Robert Mugabe whose painful death in 1992 changed Zimbabwe forever Commonwealth Office, as well as, a petition signed by at least 400 MPs, eventually persuaded the authorities to allow her to stay. She spent the next eight years agitating and campaigning for the release of political detainees in Rhodesia, including her husband who had been arrested in 1964 and was to remain incarcerated for ten years.
Mugabe had been sent to prison in 1964 for calling for Zimbabwe’s independence, taking nearly 11 years before being released in 1974. With time on his hand, Mugabe continued with his education, earning two law degrees from the University of London External Programme.
With Mugabe’s release in 1975 and subsequent departure for Mozambique with Edgar Tekere, Sally rejoined her husband in Maputo. Here, she cast herself in the new role of a mother figure to the thousands of refugees created by the Rhodesian Bush War. This earned her the popular title Amai (Mother).
In 1978, she was elected ZANU-PF Deputy Secretary for the Women’s League. In 1980, she had to make a quick adjustment to a new and national role of the wife of Zimbabwe’s first black Prime Minister as Zimbabwe had gained independence in the year.
She officially became the First Lady of Zimbabwe in 1987 when her husband became the second president of Zimbabwe. She was elected Secretary-General of the ZANU-PF Women’s League at the party’s Congress of 1989.
On September 6, Robert Gabriel Mugabe passed away aged 95 after being ousted from power by his own party men. On November 19, 2017, ZANU-PF removed Mugabe as party leader, replacing him with Mnangagwa and issuing a deadline on November 20 for Mugabe to resign the presidency or face impeachment.
Mugabe, tough as nails as always, was ready to ride the storm till a joint session of parliament met ahead of his impeachment and sent his resignation letter on November 21, 2017.
Being advanced in age, Mugabe had been in and out of hospitals in South Africa and Singapore, eventually dying on a hospital bed in Singapore.
Mugabe hailed from Kutama village and set out to be a teacher. In 1958, he went to work in Ghana then the Gold Coast at the Takoradi Teacher Training College where he taught and initiated a love union with Sally Francesca Hayfron.
She was then also teaching at the school, having attained her teaching certificate from the St Mary’s Trainer Coaching Faculty in Takoradi. The pair shared a fondness for Kwame Nkrumah’s speeches, having led Ghana to independence in 1957.
Sarah would follow Mugabe to Southern Rhodesia (as Zimbabwe was then known) where the pair married in April 1961 in Salisbury. Two years after their marriage, the pair birthed Nhamodzenyika (Shona for The Troubles of my Country) but their joy was short-lived when he died of a cerebral malaria attack in Ghana aged 3.
Sarah, also called Sally, was born on June 6, 1931. She was a product of Achimota Secondary School, emerging the first wife of Robert Mugabe and the First Lady of Zimbabwe from 1987 until her death in 1992 aged 60. She was popularly known as Amai (Mother) in Zimbabwe.
Although Sarah Francesca (Hayfron) Mugabe was a trained teacher, she was also a political activist and campaigner, putting her activism to deadly effect against the white minority rule when she mobilised African women to challenge the Southern Rhodesian constitution in 1962.
The Ian Smith government charged her with sedition and sentenced her to five years imprisonment although part of the sentence was suspended.
In 1967, Sally went into exile in London and resided in Ealing Broadway, West London. Her stay in Britain was partly financed by the British Ariel Foundation; a charity founded in 1960. It had close links to the British government which saw higher education in Britain as a means of influencing the next generation of African leaders.
With her husband behind bars and son dead, Sally sought exile where she worked for the Africa Centre until her visa expired in 1970. The British Home Office had intended to deport Sally, but multiple letters from Mugabe to British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson and the Foreign and
She also founded the Zimbabwe Child Survival Movement. Sally launched the Zimbabwe Women’s Cooperative in the UK in 1986 and supported Akina Mama wa Afrika, a Londonbased African women’s organisation focusing on development and women’s issues in Africa and the United Kingdom. Sally died on January 27, 1992, from kidney failure. Upon her death, she was interred at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, Zimbabwe. In 2002, to mark the 10th anniversary of her death, Zimbabwe issued a set of five postage stamps, of a common design, using two different photographs, each photograph appearing on two of the denominations.
She is remembered fondly with love and affection, as she is still considered the founding mother of the nation of Zimbabwe. Perhaps it is her modest living, her efforts to bring some comfort to the deprived or better still her ability to point out other options her husband might have neglected to see which endeared her to so many Zim citizens.
Although Sally didn’t hail from Zimbabwe, she is respected and loved by Zimbabweans unlike Grace Mugabe, Mugabe’s secretary turned lover and second wife. Grace is described
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The forgotten first Ghanaian wife of Robert Mugabe whose painful death in 1992 changed Zimbabwe forever
by some as a gold digger and one who turned Mugabe from the calm, reasonable and well-intentioned gentleman and leader he was till she came into the picture.
Reports suggest that Sally’s marriage to Mugabe began to falter when they found out they could not have any more children. Mugabe insisted Sally was aware of his relationship with Grace citing a need to have children, having lost a boy Sally gave him and a need to give his mother grandchildren.
Many Zimbabweans trace the reversal of Mugabe and the nation’s fortunes to his 1996 wedding of Grace Marufu, 41 years his junior, following the death of his widely respected first wife, Sally, in 1992.
If ever in doubt about Sally’s calming effect on the prime minister and president, this quote might make things clearer.
MICHAEL ELI DOKOSI | Staff Writer
Mugabe with current Zim president Mnangagwa during the battle days. Photo credit: dailymail.co.uk
Another African country starts issuing visas on arrival for Africans
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As part of efforts to promote tourism and attract foreign direct investment, the government of Sierra Leone has changed its visa policy.
The West African country has rolled out a visa-on-arrival regime for all Africans entering the country. This means that Africans do not necessarily need to apply for visas before flying into the country.
A statement by the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Internal Affairs said the new policy offers visa-free entry for citizens of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). African Union (AU) citizens will, however, pay a $25 fee to receive a visa-on-arrival while all other countries will pay a visa fee of $80.
Those other countries include the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states and citizens of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
“This is an indication that the new direction is poised to take the country to another level and our latest step in making the country attractive to tourists and foreign investors,” said Sierra Leone’s Information Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray.
The Sierra Leone government is losing an estimated $100 million in revenue every year due to very low tourist numbers, a report by thesierraleonetelegraph.com said.
The report blamed the situation on the “very high cost of flying to the country, as well as the exorbitant cost of hotel accommodation in most of the tourist resorts.”
Experts are hoping that the new visa policy will enable more people to travel to the country to boost tourism.
Visa-free travel for Africans in Africa is yet to fully take effect even though it was expected to begin in 2018.The idea of having an African passport has not caught on with many countries on the continent due to fears of illegal immigration, smuggling, a spread of diseases, terrorism and the loss of local job markets, among others.
Despite a roadmap by the African Union (AU) to ensure a visa-free travel for Africans in Africa by 2020, Seychelles is the only country where visa-free travel is open to all Africans,
as well as, to citizens of every nation, though Ghana, Rwanda, Namibia, Mauritius, Benin and Kenya have all loosened travel restrictions for other African nationals.
Following an announcement by South Africa last October that it was relaxing its travel rules to revive its economy, Ethiopia followed suit, saying that it will introduce a visaon-arrival regime for all Africans entering the country.
Currently, citizens of African countries still need a visa to travel to more than half of the continent’s 54 countries.
Jean-Guy Afrika, AfDB’s principal policy expert and a contributor to the Africa Visa Openness Report 2017, notes:
“The 2016 analysis of Africa’s visa policy regimes demonstrated that on average Africans needed visas at departure to travel to 54% of other African countries (from 55% in 2015); could get visas on arrival in only 24% (from 25% in 2015); and do not need visas to travel to just 22% (from 20% in 2015).”
The AU launched an African passport in 2016 that will ultimately replace individual nations’ passport but it is currently available to senior diplomats and top officials of the AU.
The AU would want an Africa in which the continent’s 1.2 billion will require no visas to travel to enhance prospects for intracontinental trade, just like the European Union, but this does not seem to be happening soon due to the challenges mentioned above.
For now, a visa on arrival which includes authorization to stay for up to 90 days is the norm and for countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya who have adopted this, there has been an increase in African visitors and overall investment.
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Otumfuo Visits World Bank
On Friday, September 6, 2019, the Asantehene, Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu II, paid an official visit to the World Bank in Washington DC. The Asantehene was accompanied by Ghana's Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah.
The two leaders were received by the President of World Bank, David Malpass, and Shahid Ashraf Tarar, an Executive Director representing the constituency of Afghanistan, Algeria, Ghana, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan and Tunisia. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the World Bank to continue to collaborate with developing countries in the implementation of pragmatic policies to help accelerate economic growth.
According to him, the World Bank (WB) was established, among other things, to ensure the infrastructural and total development of developing countries in particular, stressing the need for the WB to always adhere to the principles for which it was set up.
The Asantehene, who is currently in the United States (US) to attend several important programmes, including an upcoming United Nations forum, visited the World Bank headquarters in Washington to interact with the leaders there.
He pointed out that poverty, diseases and ignorance could be eradicated with the continuous intervention of the World Bank.
“The World Bank was established for infrastructural development of developing countries so they have responsibility to design programmes that will be best suited for the development of the world, thereby making the world peaceful in relation to development,” the Asantehene stated.
He tasked workers of the World Bank to carry out their duties in line with the mandate of the World Bank.
Human Resource Development
The Asantehene also underscored that human resource development is the key to the proper transformation of every country and entreated world leaders to ensure that their people are well-educated in order to ensure they become useful to the world.
Otumfuo, who is the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said the KNUST has been playing vital roles over the years to help ensure that students from Ghana and other countries are properly trained.
Science Education
He also called for the need for science and mathematics education to be given serious attention, indicating that those two subjects are key to the future transformation.
Culture and Tradition
The Asantehene revealed that he would lead the Ashanti Kingdom to respond to the necessary adjustments in culture and traditions in order to meet the expectations of present demands, saying, “Culture is not static, it is dynamic. So as time moves, you cannot stick to the old style of culture, especially when it is link with education. As we move on, we look at various ways of developing our culture and better ways to improve the lives of our people.”
He added, “We need to look for various ways of adapting to modern needs of society, using education. We cannot live like what we did in the past. We should look for modern ways to transform mankind.”
The Asantehene is also expected to deliver an address on September 13, 2019 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly about how he has been able to combine culture and modernity to transform Asanteman and Ghana during the last two decades.
Source: Daily Guide
September 2019
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Sankofa Radio In The US Wins 2019 Best Online Radio Award
September 2019
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AKADi Magazine Attempts To Tell Authentic Stories Between The
African Diaspora And Continent
DJ RAS on the left with legendary Ghanaian musician Kojo Antwi in the studios of Sankofa.
Sankofa Radio, a Ghanaian-oriented radio station in the United States of America (USA) has been adjudged best online radio at the 2019 Ghana Entertainment Awards USA.
their dedication and commended all the presenters of the station for their commitment to service which helped to make Sankofa Radio the longest-serving Ghanaian radio in the USA that officially began operations in 2008.
Ghana Entertainments Awards (GEA) was established two years ago to showcase the achievements of Ghanaian creatives and enter- Now the leading radio platform for Ghanaians abroad the CEO explained that tainers who are excelling in their craft both “we here at Sankofa have an obligation to within and outside Ghana. serve listeners with good programming conDJ RAS on the left with legendary Ghanaian tent consisting of news, information and good music. We have carved an enviable musician Kojo Antwi in the studios of niche in this field and this award only goes Sankofa. A full list of winners of this year’s edition of to cement our position as a force to be reckGEA held July 29 in New York is available at oned with when it comes to quality information and entertainment delivery.“ www.ghentawards.com.
As part of efforts to expand, a 24/7 IPTV project has been launched via www.sankofatv.com to portray Ghanaian culture in a more positive light to the outside world and also bridge the gap between Ghanaians livVirginia-based Sankofa Radio beat a host of other stations for the Best Radio in USA cate- ing in Ghana and the diaspora. Sankofa’s gory. CEO and Founder of Sankofa Nana Yaw free applications for both radio and TV are Darko aka DJ RAS told TheAfricanDream.net available for download on both Google Play that “there were 6 other nominees in the cate- store and Apple’s Appstore. gory, all of whom are doing a great job. Sankofa is therefore deeply humbled to have Visit www.sankofatv.com and www.sankofaradio.com to learn more about programclimbed to the top, which is why I wish to ming and upcoming events involving express my deepest appreciation for this honor Sankofa. done us.“ Also read: Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah connects with Diaspora on US-Based Sankofa Radio
DJ RAS also thanked listeners of Sankofa for
Source: Oral Ofori/TheAfricanDream.net
"AKADi is a new magazine launched to act as a bridge between Africans in the Diaspora and Africans in the Motherland," says publisher Abena Serwaa, a Ghanaian born in the United Kingdom (UK).
The magazine is a platform to inform, inspire and illuminate the stories of everyday Africans doing the extraordinary. Its publishers aim to challenge stereotypes about Africa and Africans.
They, however, believe it can only be done successfully if Africans all over, communicate and share knowledge. It is on this premise that the first issue of AKADi celebrates the connections between Ghana and Brazil through the story of their front cover woman Kai.
Kai is a British-Ghanaian video journalist who traces her heritage back five generations to Brazil. Other exciting stories in the first edition of the publication feature entrepreneur Louise Broni-Mensah who established events platform Shoobs in her 20s during the economic downturn in the UK.
As the founder and editor of AKADi, Abena Serwaa - invites you through this platform to read, comment and share stories from your communities and experiences with the magazine. Connect with her by visiting her official website www.msbwrites.co.uk or email her with abena30@hotmail.com
Source: Barima Kwame Danso
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Ghana National Gas Company Partners With Olympian Akwasi Frimpong
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that by overcoming the challenges I face on this journey, children and underdogs across the continent will be inspired to chase their dreams. I want to prove that anything in life is possible as long as you’re are willing to work for it,” said Frimpong.
"I’m grateful and humbled to see such an esteemed organization from my motherland, Ghana, support me. I hope more companies in Ghana follow because my journey has outgrown just me; it is about placing Ghana in a conversation that sells the country’s brand on a global scale," the Olympian explained.
As he thanked GNGC, the Olympian emphasized -- "My team and I have invested a lot of hard work into this journey, and the kindness of the Ghana National Gas Company has come at a great time to sustain our commitment towards making our great nation proud. The aim is to make a mark that would be a legacy for the next generation of Ghanaians and Africans to aspire towards greatness." Source: Team Frimpong
ACCRA, GHANA - Ghana’s first skeleton Winter Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong, has secured a sponsorship with the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) in preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Frimpong, a former track and field sprinter, and bobsledder who was born in Kumasi, Ghana, became the first black male skeleton athlete from the continent of Africa to compete in the Winter Olympics when he proudly represented Ghana at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) is the leading gas company in Ghana and is responsible for gathering, processing, marketing and transportation of natural gas resources.
Read also: Olympian Akwasi Frimpong helps Nigeria discover its next Winter Olympians
GNGC has played a significant role in industrialization in Ghana. The company produces natural gas and gasbased resources for domestic, commercial and industrial use. It has played a significant role in Ghana’s economy by saving the country millions of cedis and contributing to its power generation.
“We are truly honored to be a partner of Akwasi Frimpong’s journey towards the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics,” said Dr. Ben Asante, CEO of GNGC.
"Frimpong created such a positive impact on the youth of Ghana, Africa and around the world during the 2018 Olympics and more so after the Olympics, where he has continued to inspire us all. His relentlessness in the pursuit of excellence is infectious. Ghana Gas is all about creating impact and Frimpong is the perfect paradigm of impact," Dr. Asante said.
The CEO continued to say: "We are committed to supporting him as our athlete ambassador to enable him to sustain his efforts of brightening the Ghana brand. We are also excited to see him go after something that has never been achieved before in the history of the conti-
nent of Africa; a Winter Olympics medal for Ghana and Africa at large."
Skeleton is a winter sliding sport in which a person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down and going head-first. Athletes can reach speeds up to 80/90 miles per hour with their chin just inches from the ice. In 2016, Frimpong became the first person in West Africa to start a skeleton federation.
Three years on, many other African countries and athletes are following his lead. Last week, Frimpong was in Lagos, Nigeria to help the Nigerian Bobsled and Skeleton Federation find new talent for winter sports. He has also been involved in helping African countries such as Togo, Gambia and Eritrea join the sport of bobsled and skeleton.
Akwasi Frimpong shot to global prominence at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea and has since become a household name as an athlete, influencer and a motivational speaker. He was arguably the most interviewed athlete during the Olympics, generating millions of media views due to his unusual and inspiring story.
He endeared himself to the hearts of many with his perseverance and positive personality, becoming a viral sensation while bringing massive attention to Ghana. The IOC later starred Frimpong in the 2018 official Olympic film called “Crossing Beyond”, a piece set around five athletes from different backgrounds with the same Olympic ambitions.
Read also: African athletes making their move in winter sports
In 2018 the renowned Oxford University Press included Frimpong in an English textbook for students all over the world. Frimpong’s next goal is to win the first-ever Winter Olympics medal for Ghana and Africa, in a campaign he has dubbed “Hope of a Billion”.
“I have been working tirelessly to become the hope of the over a billion people on my continent, and I know
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Renowned Ghanaian Evangelist Consecrated As Bishop September
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Bishop Dr. Akwasi Adu Amankwah and Bishop Eli Daniel were the two candidates who took the oath of office and consecrated as Bishops after going through months of catechism and episcopal preparation. The Bishops elect were joined by family and friends from their various ministries as they took the oath of office before the Prelate and co consecrators. Prempeh College Alumni in North America led by their President were at the ceremony in their numbers to support Bishop Akwasi Adu Amankrah who has been an inspiration to the Alumni in various ways. A week before he led a thanksgiving service for Prempeh College Alumni in North America at their annual school reunion.
With over 28 years in ministry Bishop Akwasi Adu Amankwah is a man of God with the demonstration of the works of the Holy Spirit through miracles, signs, and wonders. He is also an international evangelist and has ministered in many parts of the world especially Asia. He started ministry in 1991 in Moscow and Volgograd in the former Soviet union where he was as an ordained international Evangelist. By 1996 He had have traveled to almost 22 countries preaching and having crusades The renowned man of God was the 1st preacher to hold a crusade in Volgograd city in Russia at the sports stadium and was also the first missionary in Uzbekistan, The presiding overseer of New York-based Revival and Krasnodar, Kharkov and stravoporl and Sochi in Russia. Sabbatical Evangelical Ministries was on Saturday, His crusade in 1991 transformed Russia. Whilst in medSeptember 7th, consecrated as Bishop by the Kingdom ical school in Russia he survived an attack on his life Five-Fold Covenant Fellowship at a ceremony at the when someone pointed a pistol in his mouth for auditorium of the Kingdom Ambassadors Global preaching the gospel. Ministry in Long Island, New York. He started ministering on New York-based Amansan The Presiding Prelate of the Kingdom Fivefold radio in 2015 and every Friday night he leads the Prayer Ministry His Grace Bishop Paul C. Cockfield was Army of Christ a Ministry he founded on a prayer line joined by Archbishop John Praise Daniel, and Bishop reaching as many as 11, 000 people in 94 countries. Brehon Hall to perform the consecration.
Other ministers in attendance were Arch Bishop Antwi Boasiako, Bishop Adu-Gyamfi, Bishop O. Ekeoma Job, Apostle Ivry Johnson and a host of ministers from various parts of the world. Nana Ahenkorah the CEO of Gold Coast African Market the largest African market in USA, Lawyers Ralph Desena of Suris and Associates and Bragoli and Associates, Renowned world doctors Dr.Sebastian Lattuga a spinologist in New YORK, Dr Micheal Obeng a plastic surgeon as well as royalty from the community were present to grace the occasion as special guests. The staff of Kingsbrook Jewish hospital and Kings county hospital in. Brooklyn, where Bishop Dr. Amankwah and his wife worked earlier in their career, were represented. In his message, Bishop Cockfield said “ In a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Kingdom it is refreshing to see men and women rising to the challenge by desiring a good work” He also admonished the gathering that the ascension to the Bishopric is a high call to service with tremendous administrative responsibilities.
Officiating Clergy
Bishop Amankwah and Family
In his words “getting here to this milestone is a long journey of sacrifice” God through his ministry has led many people to Christ. The work of God has led him to meet some notable people including the Presidents of Guinea, Russia, Ukraine Ghana, Benin as well as royalties including Asanteman. Bishop Dr. Amankwah is a medical Doctor by training and trains a lot of Doctors preparing for USMLE exams clinical skills at GoldUSMLEreview in Houston and New York. He is also currently the Director of Evangelism for Europe and Asia for the Kingdom Fivefold Covenant Fellowship. He is married to Mrs. Jennifer Amankwah, a prophetess of God and blessed with two children, Gideon 21 years and Angelica 17 years. At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Amankwah expressed his profound appreciation to the Revival Prayer Army of Christ Movement, all ministers, friends, family, coworkers, school mates and all loved ones in Ghana and to SAVIOUR church of Ghana his mother church with special gratitude to his dear uncle Opanin Abraham Adusei .
Bishop Amankwah and School mates fro Prempeh College
Newly Consecrated Bishops taking the oath of office
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Ghana Embassy News and Events
September 2019
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The Embassy of Ghana wishes to encourage Ghanaians living in the United States to upgrade their driving licenses to the "Real ID" by October 2020.
The Real ID law ensures a single national standard for all 50 states.
Visit your local Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to learn more about getting your Real ID. Persons who fail to be complaint by the due date will not be able to travel by air, and will not be permitted into government buildings.
Boeing’s Chief of Staff of International Operations & Policy Government Operations, Maureen Knightly, paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador. The two parties met to discuss topics of mutual interests. Official signing of the $10 million STEM agreement with Missouri University of Science and Technology.
On Wednesday, July 24, 2019, the Republic of Ghana and Missouri University of Science and Technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding that grants access to over $10 million worth of scholarships, to Ghanaian students and professionals.
The agreement was signed during an official visit by Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America, H.E. Dr. Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah, to the university located in Rolla, Missouri.
The three-year agreement is expected to benefit students and professionals who want to pursue Masters and PhD in the Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) areas of study. It also waives off requirements such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL).
Executives of Student Loans Trust Fund paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador. The team is on a United States campaign to encourage persons who have arrears to fulfill their obligations to government.
Since taking office, the CEO, Kwaku Agyei Yeboah, has improved repayment rate from from 28% to 63%. The administration hopes to increase repayment to 90% with the ongoing US campaign.
At the signing ceremony, Interim Chancellor, Christopher G. Maples intimated that "the agreement is intended to stimulate and facilitate the intellectual and cultural development of both parties, and particularly, provide professional development opportunities for students and professionals from Ghana."
The agreement forms part of Ambassador, Dr. Adjei-Barwuah's educational strategy to develop the skills and talents of Ghanaians, in line with government's commitment to building a value-added economy.
"We are committed to building an economy that adds value to our raw materials. This partnership will help us develop talents who will be instrumental in our strategy to mine and add value to our bauxite. We have invested a lot of passion in this agreement because it's going to help us produce the kinds of people both sides will be proud of, and on whose shoulders, Ghana will prosper", Dr. Adjei-Barwuah said. The two parties also agreed on setting up research centers across Ghana, and to also help with capacity building in the mining and petroleum industries.
As part of the visit, Ambassador Dr. Adjei-Barwuah toured the school's Experimental Mining and Explosives site as well as the university’s Nuclear Reactor site.
As part of the 1619-2019 Commemoration First African Landing, the Mayor of Hampton, Donnie Tuck, hosted a Commemorative Reception with the African community.
Head of Information & Public Affairs, Kofi Tonto, represented the Ambassador at the event. Other special guests in attendance included the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Virginia, Justin Fairfax, and Dr. Joseph Green, Chairman, The 400-Year African American History Commission.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Kofi Tonto, Head of Information & Public Affairs; Bernard Acquah, First Secretary/Political Affairs; and Kwame Antwi-Frempong, a consultant.
Source: Ghana Embassy -Washington DC
September 2019
The Governor of the State of Colorado, Jared Polis, has proclaimed every August of the year as "AFRICAN IMMIGRANT MONTH." Congratulations to Papa Dia and the African Leadership Group of Colorado for working tirelessly in making this a reality.
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Robert Mugabe's most famous quotes
September 2019
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On imperialism "Africa must revert to what it was before the imperialists divided it. These are artificial divisions which we, in our pan-African concept, will seek to remove." - Speech at Salisbury, 1962 On homosexuality "We ask, was he born out of homosexuality? We need continuity in our race, and that comes from the woman, and no to homosexuality. John and John, no; Maria and Maria, no. They are worse than dogs and pigs. I keep pigs and the male pig knows the female one." - ZDC radio interview, 2015 "We equally reject attempts to prescribe 'new rights' that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions, and beliefs. We are not gays!" - UNGA, 2015 On Hitler "I am still the Hitler of the time. This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be Hitler tenfold. Ten times, that is what we stand for." - State funeral of a Cabinet minister, 2003 On the economy "Our economy is a hundred times better, than the average African economy. Outside South Africa, what country is [as good as] Zimbabwe? ‌ What is lacking now are goods on the shelves - that is all." - Interview, 2007 On Jesus Christ "I have died many times - that's where I have beaten Christ. Christ died once and resurrected once." - To state radio on 88th birthday On cricket "Cricket civilises people and creates good gentlemen. I want everyone to play cricket in Zimbabwe; I want ours to be a nation of gentlemen." - This is a widely reported quote, but it was unclear when Mugabe said this
On US presidents "Let Mr. Bush read history correctly. Let him realise that both personally and in his representative capacity as the current president of the United States, he stands for this 'civilisation', which occupied, which colonised, which incarcerated, which killed. He has much to atone for and very little to lecture us on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His hands drip with innocent blood of many nationalities." - UNGA, 2007 On grooming a successor "Grooming a successor, is it an inheritance? In a democratic party, you don't want leaders appointed that way. They have to be appointed properly by the people." - TV interview, 2016 https://www.news24.com
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G7 Approve $251 Million In Support Of Women Entrepreneurs In Africa
September 2019
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Popular sarcastic Ghanaian word, ‘TWEAA’ has found its way in the 8th edition of the Oxford dictionary.
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Left to right: Akinwumi Adesina — President of ADB, Musician Angelique Kidjo from Benin, and President Macron of France in file photo The risk-sharing mechanism used by AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa ) is a practical approach to international commitments. It is a direct response to the demand by women to ease access to financing, specifically on the need to establish a financing mechanism for women’s economic empowerment, adopted during a summit of African heads of state in 2015 and assigned to the African Development Bank for implementation.
“African women are the backbone of the continent. I’m thrilled to bring their voice to the G7. AFAWA is essential for our continent,” said Beninese artist Angelique Kidjo, a guest at the press conference in her role as programme ambassador.
The Bank’s president Akinwumi Adesina applauded the “extraordinary support of all the G7 heads of state and government, which will provide incredible momentum” to the AFAWA programme.
“This is a great day for African women, investing in women entrepreneurs in Africa is important, because women are not only Africa’s future, they are Africa’s present,” Adesina said.
He added that currently, women operate over 40% of SMEs in Africa, but there is a financing gap of $42 billion between male and female entrepreneurs. A gap that must be closed quickly.
AFAWA aims to raise up to $5 billion for African women entrepreneurs and the African Development Bank will provide $1 billion financing. “This financing effort for women is the most significant in the continent’s history,” Adesina noted.
The AFAWA initiative, backed by the G7 nations, is based on three fundamental principles. The first is to improve women’s access to financing through innovative and adapted financial instruments, including guarantee mechanisms to support women entrepreneurs.
France holds the presidency of the G7 in 2019, and President Emmanuel Macron is championing gender equality as a major theme of his five-year term.
Source: DIBIE IKE Michael / AfricaNews
Written by Oral Ofori
An eagle that cannot soar. Eg. The Super Green Tweaagles of Nigeria. This was A sarcastic exclamation made in response to a question, added after Ghana defeated sister- country Nigeria in a CHAN soccer game. comment, action or statement, to show that the idea being expressed is silly, laughable, absurd or nonsensi- Tweaawama: [tshwiaah- wah-mah] Sharwama that is poorly done. cal. Tweakai [tshwiaah-cah-he] Synonyms: Bullshit, crap, rubbish, ‘yeah, right’, ‘ns3m An expression to show that something is outrageously tweaarific hunu’, e.g. Tweaakai! Somebody said Justin Bieber sings ‘ns3m fon’ ‘SMH’, nonsense. better than Efya Mantweaaster United: Origin: The word originates from the West African country of Ghana, a country popular in recent times for A derogatory term describing the state of Manchester United under David Moyes football and Azonto dance. It went viral after a politiTweaalsea FC : cian verbally attacked and nearly killed an innocent The real name of Chelsea FC. spectator for chuckling during the politician’s speech. Ghana police are still searching for the person who said COMMON EXPRESSIONS: Tweaa. TWEAA
USAGE: noun
[tshwiaah] -{noun, adjective or adverb}
Tweaahahaha: [tshwiaah- ha-ha-ha] A unique type of laughter caused by sheer tweaaness. Tweaadict [tshwiaah- dikt] Someone who is simply cannot stop using the word Tweaa. Tweaaphobia:[tshwiaah-fow-beau] An extreme fear of being tweaad when speaking or performing some other act in public. Tweaagle: [tshwiaah- gul]
The crowd tweaad the boring musician off the stage Tweaa, am I your co-equal? I couldn’t stand the tweaaness of the Ghana-Nigeria CHAN game, so I was forced to watch Marie Cruz. With an empty goal before him, Yahaya Mohammed shot the ball tweaarifically over the bar.
Yesterday I tweaad, today I am twearing, tomorrow I shall tweaa
https://awakenewsroom.com
September 2019
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Jollof Wars: West African Countries score wins at 2019 Jollof Festival in US “I have experienced it myself. For instance, Nigeria won the first-ever event in DC in 2017, they actually won twice that year and once in 2018. In 2018 too Liberia won a treble across 3 US States, Ghana won two States that year as well. This year is not the first time Sierra Leone is clinching first place as they did come first for the first time in 2018, but it was not in DC so yes this is their first DC win,” Ishmael disclosed. Read also: Chef Francis Otoo serving special jollof at Embassy Chef Challenge 2019
Festival Creator Ismael Osekre with 2019 Jollof Queen of DC Carol of Liberia — Photo courtesy Pics By Shiloh This is my third coverage of the annual Jollof Festival in Washington, District of Columbia (DC), this year like all others in the United States (US) Capitol Nigeria’s arch nemesis Ghana did not place first in Jollof Wars — the 2019 Champion of the DC edition is Chef Carol Mabinty Khanu from Sierra Leone.
So there you have it, Sierra Leone came first in the Washington, DC version of the 3rd annual Jollof Festival. OK now come on Ghana, what’s going on with not being able to win DC, this is the US Capital for crying out loud.
Speaking of crying out loud, the hundreds of persons that had packed the Students Center at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) couldn’t detain their outbursts as the final results were announced. Liberia came in second, Nigeria was third and Ghana placed fourth.
Anyway, congratulations from TheAfricanDream.net to the winner from Sierra Leone who is popularly known as Carol Love, and everyone from her native Sierra Leone in both DC and all of the US. Africa is proud of you, by the way, the weekend of July 6, 2019, is when all this happened and it was also my very first time tasting jollof from Sierra Leone. Let me frankly just say it was pretty good.
Well, this has been quite an eye-opener for me and I hope it was for you too. Anyway, let us talk more about the current DC champion. Sierra Leone’s chef Carol is a 26-year-old woman originally from Masimera Chiefdom in Northern Sierra Leone. The new DC Jollof Queen started nurturing her love for cooking at a very tender age.
TheAfricanDream.net found out that though the Jollof Queen felt held against her will by her mother who always insisted she helped out in the kitchen, she eventually grew to love the situation. It turned her into a prolific cook based on all what her mother taught her. Today her own experimentation and determination have made her a Jollof Festival champion.
Also, on July 13, 2019, Caroline Acquaye, a caterer from Ghana was named Jollof Festival champion in Atlanta, Georgia, but there was a twist. For the first time in the festival’s history, there was a tie because chef and musician Tialae Ticker of Liberia shared the number one spot with Caroline. Some fans from 2019 Jollof Festival in Washington DC — Photo courtesy Pics By Shiloh Other Jollof Festival 2019 routes in the US has the festival stopping at States like California on July 27; Los Angeles on August 10, and finally New York City on August 24.
Then the festival moves 3 months from the last US event into Ghana in West Africa where the fun continues on December 29. 2019 in the capital city of Accra. Find out more about Demand Africa by visiting their website at www.DemandAfrica.com
Carol taught herself how to transform what she learned from her mother about traditional Sierra Leonean dishes. She now adapts them into American style cuisines and serves these delicious culinary hybrids through her catering business known as Mabin’s Kitchen LLC where she is a personal and private events caterer.
In her own words, she reveals she has “catered for large and small gatherings from weddings, birthdays and fundraisers, of a very diverse client base.” Check her out on Instagram by searching mabinskitchen and ms_carolk92 to learn more about her work.
So here is how it all began, I walked into the UDC Students Center where the Jollof Wars was staged at around half past 3 PM that day. FYI: this year’s festival is presented by Demand Africa, a media entity offering one of the best in African Diaspora lifestyle infotainment on almost every subject on demand.
Keep in mind though, Jollof Festival 2019 in the US kicked off on June 29 with Senegal winning in New Jersey. Kudos Senegal, at least you guys invented Jollof so it’s good to see you win even though it was not in DC. Besides Sierra Leone, Nigeria has also won in DC before, in 2017. So Ghana please when are you also going to win DC?
I spoke with Ishmael Osekre founder of Afropolitan Insights, creators of the festival who said: “We are very happy for Carol and we wish her and all other winners and participants the best on their personal journeys, they all immensely contributed to the success story that this festival has become since we started in 2017.“
Ishmael also advised fans not to “come to the festival expecting the expected because as we have all noticed over the years, the unexpected is what seems to happen as a result of how people vote.“
Crowd of 2019 Jollof Festival in Washington DC — Photo courtesy Pics By Shiloh
Afrikan
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DECISIONS, DECISIONS DECISIONS“Should I Buy or Continue to Rent”
matic for younger children. They won't have to make new friends, and a sense of place becomes very real to them. Disadvantages of Renting • When you rent, you do not have the flexibility to make aesthetic or cosmetic changes to the place as you please. You may be able to paint a room, but need to repaint back to the original color scheme when you move. • You cannot make major structural changes or ground changes such as adding flower beds or even rock gardens and waterfalls to reflect your taste. • You put up with an obstinate landlord that refuses to repair things in the apartment, or Most people are torn with this imminent just "doesn't have time." This can build frustradecision to either buy a house or to continue tion and stress. the pilgrim of renting from someone. When • You help the Landlord build equity on you rent from someone, it means you are their property and gain tax write off while you throwing your money away—more as if you are left with nothing at the end of your lease are in constant chain of helping someone term increase their wealth. Ask yourself then; I hope you enjoyed reading this article and it has what do you gain for helping someone provided helpful information in making your increase their wealth? Nothing! You are los- decision to home ownership a smooth one. ing out-period. For more information about your real estate It is a known fact that the best single invest- needs (buying, selling, leasing/renting a house) ment one can make is owning your own call me at 571-229-6694 or email borderlesshome. Homeownership promotes a sense of realestate@gmail.com and I will help you get achievement, positive self esteem and pride. started. Thank you. It creates a sense of accomplishment and freedom! Let’s read down and dig deeper as to why owning a home is vital. The Biggest Benefit of Homeownership Homeownership makes good sense because there are tax privileges when tax time rolls Anita A. Bediako- REALTOR® around: Samson Properties • You get the benefit of deducting the Licensed Real Estate Agent in Virginia and interest paid on the mortgage throughout the Maryland year. Licensed Life and Health Insurance • You deduct any points paid, either CONTACT 571-229-6694 discount or origination fees paid on loan. Email: borderlessrealestate@gmail.com • You can deduct a room in your home Website: borderlessrealestate.com if it is solely dedicated for home business use. • The biggest advantage, though, is the fact that the principle you pay on the mortgage is like putting money in the bank, in the form of equity. Other Advantages of Homeownship • Owning your home gives you an individualized approach concerning landscaping, decorating, and curb appeal, which in the process can add value to the home. You do what you please when you please to your home which renting does not provide. • If you have children, they will find stability in knowing that they aren't going to have to change schools, which can be trau-
September 2019
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Serena Williams Builds Schools In Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya And Jamaica
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Serena Williams recently built a new school in Jamaica! While some celebrities simply write a check for a good cause, Queen Serenado not resign to work hard! She has published photos and the inaugural video of the school in Jamaica where is she painting from school and get their hands dirty while doing the building.
Its non-profit association, the Serena Williams Fund in partnership with Helping Hands Jamaica have partnered to build the Salt Marsh Elementary School. The mission of his charity is to help "the individuals or communities affected by to violence, and [to ensure] equal access to education. "
This is the third school Serena built. Previous high schools have been created in partnership withBuild Africa School in Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Source:https://afrikhepri.org
Afrikan
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South African Nomzamo Mbatha Joins Eddie Murphy in 'Coming 2 America'
Courtesy of Epiphany Agency; Ryan West Photo South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha and Garcelle Beauvais have joined the cast of Coming 2 America, Paramount’s sequel to its popular 1988 comedy.
They round out a cast of newcomers and returnees for the film, which stars Eddie Murphy and is being directed by Craig Brewer. The pic is set to begin shooting next week.
Tracy Morgan, Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones and KiKi Layne are among the new castmembers, while Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones and Shari Headley are among those reprising their original roles.
The first film saw Murphy play Prince Akeem, a spoiled prince from the fictional African nation of Zamunda, who arrives in Queens and in undercover fashion gets a job at a McDonald's knockoff while trying to find a wife.
The new story sees Akeem, now set to become king, discovering he has a son he never knew about, a street-savvy Queens native named Lavelle. Honoring his father's dying wish to groom his son as a newly crowned prince, Akeem must once again return to America.
Character details for Mbatha are being kept under wraps. Beauvais is returning to one of her firstever roles, playing a rose petal priestess.
Paramount has set a Dec. 18, 2020, release date for the picture.
Mbatha is a name in her native South Africa, where he starred on the country’s hit soap opera Isibaya as well as the series Umlilo, on which she played a villain. She also starred in the feature Tell Me Sweet Something, for which she was nominated for best actress at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Mbatha is also the face for the South African takes on the brands Puma, Audi, Neutrogena and L’Oreal Hair, and also acts as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
Beauvais will be seen in Netflix's upcoming Merry Happy Whatever, appeared in Starz' Power, and counts Spider-Man: Homecoming among her recent movie credits.
Mbatha is repped by Pantheon, managers Krystal Thorpe and Pumza Nohashe and attorney Barry Littman. Beauvais is with Innovative Artists and Gilbertson Entertainment. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com
‘I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH COMEDIAN FUNNY FACE’ says USbased mental health advocate Philip Ofori-Yentumi September 2019
“Mental health awareness is on the low in Africa and Ghana is no exemption. Mental Health is very different from mental illnesses and not knowing this always makes people chase after the wind in this crucial aspect of our health,” believes United States (US) based Philip Ofori-Yentumi.
Speaking to TheAfricanDream.net correspondent Oppong Clifford Benjamin, self-esteem and mental health education expert, Philip Ofori-Yentumi, says his inspiration is to help improve the lives of others by educating them on how to develop their self-esteem and provide Mental Health education, especially in the Ghanaian community in the Diaspora and back home in Ghana where he is originally from.
Philip Ofori-Yentumi in photo courtesy Stanley AduPhilip Ofori-Yentumi in photo courtesy Stanley Adu Mr. Ofori-Yentumi told our correspondent Oppong Clifford Benjamin that his inspiration behind the many mental health awareness initiatives which his company, Philgood Services has taken in the past, is because of the little attention the matter receives. The Philgood Services CEO said ‘My inspiration is derived from how people are suffering due to their lack of knowledge about Mental Health which is worsened by the fact that society puts a lot of pressure on us to deliver as individuals, this, in turn, affects our selfesteem.’
Read also: Mental health services needs to be expanded – Ghanaian Non-Government Org
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where their CEO will also be a guest speaker at two events in Accra and Kumasi on Mental Health and selfesteem development.
Mr. Ofori-Yentumi told Clifford during this interview that he would love to have Ghanaian comedian FunnyFace share his experience on when he had suicidal thoughts and work with him and some other celebrities in Ghana to combat the problems related to mental health and low self-esteem, a situation that broods suicidal thoughts sometimes.
‘My services are peculiar because I explain things in the layman’s terms for people to fully understand the challenges and provide solutions. My ability to explain fluently in Twi — a dominant Ghanaian language — drives home the message to the locals’ Mr. OforiYentumi revealed to Clifford.
The mental health expert continued to say FunnyFace and Philgood Services could explore comedy as a therapeutic avenue to make people “feel good” and yes the pun seemed intended as he smiled saying it.
Though financing the initiatives of Philgood has always been difficult, Philip said the fact that his services save lives is enough motivation for him to keep going. Ofori-Yentumi is a May 2019 graduate with a Masters in Nursing from Walden University, he is currently a Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Director of Nursing at an Inpatient Psychiatric hospital in Dayton, Ohio in the US.
To explore how you can assist this laudable effort, follow Philip and his work by finding him as Philgood Services on respective social media portals and check out recent videos from his YouTube channel in this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDz9lAhyRkb0X xBx10En5jA
To help curb this problem in a small way this year, Philgood intends to do more educational Written by Oral Ofori and Oppong Clifford Benjamin videos and presentations on mental health and building self-esteem. They disclosed to TheAfricanDream.net that they are planning a Seminar in Accra, Ghana this December
Washington DC metro readies for first ‘Made in Africa Experience’
September 2019
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Newest African Ambassador Presents Letters of Credence at White House
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The 3-day ‘Made In Africa Experience’ event according to organizers is the premier celebration of everything African-infused, from Afro-beats to food. Apart from this, there will also be a showcase of technology, startups, fashion, arts, film, and sports in the Diaspora.
“It further offers a great opportunity for Africans outside North America to see how those in the diaspora are connecting. These connections cement how they celebrate Africans all over while creating networking opportunities that benefit players in Africa too. We are helping create a conducive environment that provides for the transfer of ideas because Africans everywhere working with those on the continent is what will give rise to a united Africa,” said Oral Ofori, a media partner for the event.
“With over 10,000 rich African cultures expected to be in attendance, activities lined up for the first day of the celebrations are ‘The Tech Conference’ and ‘Cocktail Gala’. Day 2 will feature a ‘Live Music Festival’ in the morning and the evening will be booming with an after-party,” said one of the event’s organizers who went on to disclose that other organizing partners of the event include I/O Digital Studios in Silver Spring – Maryland, Seven Hills Group, and Tag Soundz all in the US.
On the 3rd day, a special ‘Celebrity Ball Game‘ has been lined up in the morning which will go on till the evening to make way for the ‘Bar Crawl Day Party’ late into the night.
I/O Digital Studios is the creative arm of I/O Spaces, creators of this event. They are a creative and collaborative innovative space located in Maryland. It seeks to foster the growth of local start-ups and small businesses while connecting Africans all over.
For sponsorship, tickets, and more details about the event visit www.madeinafricaexp.com.
Written by Christopher Sam
AMIP News Washington, DC August 9, 2018
On July 8, 2018, Niger’s new Ambassador to the United States – His Excellency Abdallah Wafy – presented his Letters of Credence to President Trump at an Ambassador Credentialing Ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House.
The presentation of credentials is a traditional ceremony that marks the formal beginning of an Ambassador’s service in Washington.
Ambassador Wafy obtained his master’s degree in law from the Université du Bénin, Togo and graduated from the Ecole nationale supérieure de police in France. He held a range of high-ranking positions in the Government of Niger, including as Senior Security Adviser to the Minister for Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization; Inspector General of Police; Special Security Adviser to the President; and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Libya and Permanent
Representative of the Community of SahelSaharan States in Tripoli.
Prior to this appointment, Wafy served as Deputy Special Representative for the Rule of Law in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) ad interim since September 2012. He was also the missions’s Police Commissioner. He was with the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (ONUCI) from 2006 to 2007, and was Deputy Head of the Police component of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) in 2009.
He is married and has five children.
https://amipnewsonline.org
Afrikan
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Dynamic Club Donates to Homelesss Facility in Virginia
On Saturday July 13, 2019 the Dynamic International Charitable Association, DMV Branch (DICADMV ) branch) donated items worth several hundreds of dollars to the PRTC Shelter house, in Woodbridge, Virginia. The items included drinking water, snacks, and toiletries. Dr. Kwabena Boakye, the President of the club led about 50 members of the club to make the donation. Receiving the items on behalf of the shelter, Ms. Bonnie Schrader the administrator expressed her profound appreciation to the group. This PRTC shelter which is open all year round offers comprehensive services including case management, job readiness, mental health counseling and medical referrals. The association later in the day capped the events on Saturday with a Barbeque picnic at the MLK Jnr Park, Alexandria, Virginia The Dynamic Club has 8 branches Worldwide with headquarters in London. In addition to the Washington DC metro branch there are branches in Ghana (Kumasi & Accra), Hannover, Hamburg, Denver, and Toronto, Canada.
September 2019
The Dynamic International Club, Washington DC/ Virginia Branch was formed in January 2018 and was officially elevated with full status in June 2018. Some of their major charitable contributions include a huge water tank reservoir presented to Tema General Hospital and a Flagstar 3 room fully furnished clinic for Mamponteng general hospital in Kumasi.
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Afrikan
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September 2019
Asante King Osei Tutu II At the United Nations
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Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on the Culture of Peace
His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at a meeting yesterday with Her Excellency María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the UN General Assembly.
Chiefs on Otumfuos Entourage
The Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Antonio Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York.
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Asante King Osei Tutu II Addresses the African Union in Washington DC
Afrikan
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September 2019
The Asantehene, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II addressing the African Union
Nana Otuo Serebour II, Paramount Chief of Asante Juabeng introducing Otumfuo
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H. E Arikana Chihombori Quao, Ambassador Of African Union To The US And The Americas and Host of the Event With Otumfuo and Ambassador Adjei Bawuah
Dr. Baffour Adjei Bawuah - Ghana's ambassador to United States of America
Mr. Melvin P. Foote-an advisor to the African Union’s Ambassador to Washington and as a consultant to the World Bank on African Diaspora issues moderating the event