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ELECTRONIC DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY – STATUS CHECK
From the Editor
O u r G r ea tes t G lor y is n o t in n ever f a llin g b u t in r is in g ever y time we f a ll . We ar e committted to b r in g th e commu n ity th e bes t in N ews f r om Af r ica a n d th e D ia s po r a. Yo u ma y a ls o vis it o u r web s ite www. af r ika n p os t.com f o r d a ily n ews u p d ates f o r Af r ica. D is cla imer : Th e o p in ion s ex pr es s ed in ar ticles a n d s to r ies in th is N ews pa per ar e th os e o f th e a u th or s a n d do n o t n eces s ar ily r ef lect th e views o f Af r ik an Pos t . All co mmen ts a n d s u g ges tion s ar e welco me.
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CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
Actress Lydia Forson Talks About Her Experience On The Set. pg. 36
RELIGION
What Does It Mean To Be Saved Pg. 35
HEALTH
How to Protect Your Eyes and Prolong Your Vision Pg. 13
HER PAGE It Is Personal pg. 20
SPORTS
USA National Goalie Bill Hamid Supports Education In Sierra Leone pg. 38
UPDATE
THREE WOMEN OF COLOR WIN NOBEL PEACE PRIZE Pg. 15
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Important Notice: DV 2013 Program - The online registration period for the 2013 Diversity Visa Program (DV2013) began on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and will conclude on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4). See the Diversity Visa Program Instructions webpage for more information
www.dvlottery.state.gov. Entrants will need to use the information from their DV-2012 confirmation pages saved at the time of entry. The DV-2012 registration period was from October 5, 2010, until November 3, 2010. To review instructions for DV-2012 entrants and selectees, see Instructions for the 2012 Diversity Visa Program.
The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. Review the procedures for the DV program provided below, so that you know what to expect, when to expect it, and from whom.
DV 2011 Program: Selectees for the DV-2011 program were notified by mail between May and July of 2010. For successful DV 2011 entrants, the diversity immigrant visa application process is underway, which must be completed and visas issued by September 30, 2011.
DV 2012 Program: Entrants in the Diversity Visa 2012 program may check the status of their entries through the Entrant Status Check on the E-DV website now through June 30, 2012. Review more about Entrant Status Check.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you have lost your confirmation information, you will not be able to check your DV entry status. We will not be able to resend the confirmation page information to you. Selectee Notification and Next Steps
DV 2012 Program: Review the information about Entrant Status Check which is the ONLY means by which DV selectees will be notified of their selection for DV-2012. Additionally, Entrant Status Check will provide successful Overview selectees instructions on how to proceed with their appliThe congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa cation, and also notify you of the date and time of your Program makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas immigrant visa appointment. The Kentucky Consular (DVs) annually, drawn from random selection among all Center no longer mails notification letters and does not entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements use email to notify DV entrants of their selection in the from countries with low rates of immigration to DV program. Review the DV Program 2012 the United States. Instructions"Selection of Applicants" section, which provides information about the DV process. To learn about the next DV online registration, visit the Diversity Visa Program Instructions webpage. For All Successful DV Entrants: If you have been selected for further processing in the Diversity Visa program, after The Department of State does NOT notify successful you receive instructions, you will need to demonstrate DV applicants by letter or email. Entrants can check the you are eligible for a diversity immigrant visa by successstatus of their entries, as explained below, by returning fully completing the next steps. When requested to do so to the website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov to find by the Kentucky Consular Center, you will need to comout if their entry was or was not selected. plete the immigrant visa application, submit required docEntrant Status Check uments and forms, pay required fees, complete a medical examination, and be interviewed by a consular officer at DV 2012 Program: From July 15, 2011, through June the U.S. embassy or consulate to demonstrate you qualify 30, 2012, all entrants may check the status of their for a diversity visa. Please note that the Kentucky entry. Entrant Status Check will be the ONLY means of Consular Center will provide application information informing you if your entry DV-2012 was selected or either by mail (for DV-2011 selectees) or online through not. All entrants, including those NOT selected, may the EntrantStatus Check on the E-DV check the status of their entries through the Entrant website:www.dvlottery.state.gov (for DV-2012 selectees). Status Check on the E-DV website Source: Travel.state.gov
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Andy Mensah of Birago International Market in Woodbridge wishes to inform all friends and loved ones that the final funeral rites of his late father which was scheduled to be held at the Tip -Toe Eagle Hall has been postponed till next year. You wil be notified when a new date is set. Sorry for the inconvenience
Afrikan Post Call : 703-725-6968 Email : editor@afrikanpost.com
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African Day Parade- Harlem, New York
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African Day Parade was held on October 9th,2011 in the streets of Harlem, New York. The parade had many participants representing their home countries and/or organizations which help Africans in the Diaspora. The following countries were represented : Tunisia, Gambia, Chad, Burkina Faso,Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and the non-African country of Panama. With special guests in attendance, including actor Majid Michel and New York State Senator Bill Perkins, African Day parade was a lively festive event.
Students from Temple University
Umuada Igbo Association from Nigeria-New Jersey branch
Amy Ansong of African Post and Senator Bill Perkins (New York State Senate)
Rev. Margaret Agbeyome of Maryland Launches New Gospel Album “Elolo”
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Rev. Margaret Agbeyome of Silver Spring, Maryland on Saturday October 26, launched her album titled “Elolo” at the Church of Pentecost auditorium in Burtonsville , Maryland. The event was attended by a host of ministers from Virginia and Maryland. Prophet Seth Baah was on hand to launch the new gospel album. The Revolution Choir, Sis. Grace KonaduAgyeman, Ms. Mafi-Bensa and Bro. David Arhin ministered in songs.
Rev. Margaret Agbeyome singing some of the songs on her gospel album
Some of the ministers in attendance
Bro. David Arhin doing a solo
Left: Pastor Ricky Cleaver, Prophet Seth Baah(Middle)
Time of Celebration
Pastor James Appiah ministering in songs of praise
Prophet Seth Baah and a host of ministers praying over the CD’s before the launching
Minister Julian Mercy Ponzillo- a friend of Rev. Margaret
Resurrection Methodist Church Celebrate 1st Anniversary
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The Resurrection Methodist Church in Alexandria, VA celebrated their first anniversary on October 22, 2011 in Alexandria. The Church was formed out of a merger of the Holy Trinity Methodist Church under Rev. Hammond, and All Nations Methodist Church under Rev. Dr. Kwasi Kwakye Nuako. Bishop Benjamin K. Asare, the Supervising Missions Coordinator (SMC) North America who was the special guest preached about the need to love God. Quoting from Mathew 22 vs 37 , he emphasized the need to obey the greatest commandment being the love for God and one’s neighbor. The event brought together Methodist Church members from all over the Washington DC metro Area.
Bishop Benjamin K. Asare Supervising Missions Coordinator (SMC) North America and Rev. Hammond (Associate Minister)
The Church Choir
Rev. Dr. Kwasi Kwakye Nuako-Minister in charge
The Praise and worship team in action
Ms. Gina Morgan -Society Steward and choir director
Men’s Fellowship
A cross section of the congregation
Rev. Kwasi Kwakye Nuako interacting with the kids
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Ghanaian Actor Majid Michel, Delivers lecture at the Universityof Louisville
Prince David Osei Hits Hollywood Red Carpet October
Prince David Osei
Michel Majid
Michel Majid was honored to deliver a lecture at the University of Louisville, Kentucky USA on September 30th, 2011. The lecture titled “On Being An Actor in the African Film Industry”, was delivered under the auspices of the Department of Pan African Studies, which is a department at the University of Louisville where courses on African culture, history, film and politics are taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The event was co-sponsored by several University departments and institutes, including the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice, the Commonwealth Center for the Humanities & Society, & the Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality. In the lecture, Majid Michel discussed the fascinating history of the video film-
making in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa, how acting and technical talent has developed over the years, as well as the financial and technical challenges that filmmakers have to overcome to market their work. The lecture was preceded by a screening of the award-winning film, Somewhere in Africa, and captivated a diverse audience of professors, students, members of the Ghanaian Association of Louisville, the larger City of Louisville community, Indiana, and beyond. A Question & Answer session after the lecture allowed faculty and students to get interactive, which was followed by a party that was hosted by the African Students Union and Pan African Graduate Students Association. Thumbs up to Majid. What do you think? Has Majid been a good ambassador for the continent with his acting prowess?
The much-awaited Hollywood standard West African-set Zombie feature film, ‘The Dead’, written and directed by Ford Brother’s Howard J. Ford and Jon Ford, which featured Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei, is scheduled to hit Africa cinemas soon. Prince David graced the red carpet in Los Angeles where the movie premiered ahead of a scheduled theatrical rollout in over 20 cities across US, starting from October 7. The New York screening was held on October 14 and it was big. The premiere took place at the AMC City Walk Stadium 19 in Los Angeles. Already, the film has graced UK big screens and will make its way to Africa very soon. ‘The Dead’, shot in life-threatening regions of Burkina Faso and Ghana, takes audiences on a horrifying road-trip through a zombie-dominated terrain. An American mercenary, the sole survivor of a violent plane crash, maneuvers through the hostile, arid landscape while battling against the newly-risen living dead. Almost losing all hope, he encounters an African soldier desperately searching for his son amongst the chaos. The mercenary and the soldier rise up together to forge their way through the unstoppable assault of the ever-hungry undead and into an uncertain future. Along with its overseas theatrical run, ‘The Dead’, co-directed and written by UK natives Howard J. Ford and Jon Ford, has been a festival favorite
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since its debut last year, garnering rave reviews from horror fans and mainstream media alike. “Out of nowhere a fan base for ‘The Dead’ rose up, much like the zombies themselves, demanding to see it,” co-director and writer Howard J. Ford joyfully intoned in press release on the film’s official site. “We had hundreds of zombies down at the Cannes Film Festival carrying banners for our movie and turning up as the undead for festival screenings. Now Global Cinema is bringing our movie to the big screen throughout the U.S. I’m thrilled to be traveling with the film and meeting American audiences that have been so supportive of ‘The Dead’ over the past year.” Prince David Osei reportedly gave a great delivery in the film. He and veteran actor, David Dontoh, were the only Ghanaian top stars who proved themselves worthy of a role. It is however not clear if David Dontoh is in the USA. The premiere, hosted by Global Cinema Distribution, gave the cast and crew, as well as other celebrities, the chance to walk the red carpet and enjoy the official US premiere which will be followed by an after-party. The media checked in at 6.30pm with red carpet arrivals at 7.00pm. Official screening started 8.00pm and ended with the official after-party at Infusion Lounge 9:45pm. The after party was hosted by the Presidential Inner Circle. Source: News1ghana.com
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How to Protect Your Eyes and Prolong Your Vision H E A LT H
NEWS
fine, they’re probably telling the truth. Can working at computers harm our vision? Computer use won’t hurt your long-range If their eyes are healthy, annual screenings are vision, but you can get dry eye or eyestrain if you work at your desk too long. Eyestrain is enough, but if the pediatrician finds a proba result of focusing on something that’s 18 lem or you’ve noticed something seems off, such as they seem to favor one eye, take them inches away, as opposed to looking around a room, when your focus is constantly switchto an ophthalmologist. ing between things that are near and things Once kids have been diagnosed with a vision that are far. problem, they’ll need to see an ophthalmoloFocusing at the same depth all the time tires gist every year. the muscles within the eye, so it’s smart to take a computer break of five minutes or so What about sports injuries to the eyes? every hour, where you look away from the If you’re playing a high-risk sport, like racscreen and walk around. quetball, wear protective eyewear. It doesn’t have to be those goofy-looking goggles. Nike What about dry eye? Is it really becoming and other manufacturers are making glasses more common? and sunglasses out of a strong bulletproof Dry eyes are the second computer-related polycarbonate. problem. If you’re watching TV, you might look away from the screen during a commerThey’re available at all big sports stores in different tints and styles. My kids wear them cial, and then you’ll blink and relax. But to play tennis – they look like cool sunglass- when people stare into a computer, their blink rate drops to a fraction of what it would be if es. they were watching TV. Less blinking means their eyes dry out. Do diet and smoking affect vision? Oxidative damage affects the eyes just like any other organ, so a diet high in antioxidants Dry eyes seem to be more common because we spend so much time indoors with can help keep eyes healthy. processed air. Everyone’s had the experience of getting red, dry eyes on an airplane, and Smoking is one of the worst things for eyes. even an air conditioner in an office building It can bring on cataracts sooner than normal is basically a dehumidifier. Dry eyes are also and accelerate macular degeneration, the a function of age. major cause of vision impairment in adults over 50. Certain hormonal conditions such as How does our health affect our vision? What menopause can also lead to dry eyes. diseases can cause vision change? Will over-the-counter eye drops for dry eyes Any disease that affects blood vessels can help? affect eyes, since eyes have a network of Yes, if you just need it occasionally, such as small but critical blood vessels. during certain seasons of the year when your allergies are worse. Ninety percent of people Both hypertension and diabetes can permado just fine with OTC medication, but make nently damage vessels deep within the eye, which is why if you have either condition, it’s sure you get a brand that’s “preservative important to see an ophthalmologist annually. free.” These conditions can be nipped in the bud if Preservatives can irritate your eyes. Also, caught early. look for individual dispensers, so you’re not Are extra vitamins or minerals needed to pro- transferring germs into your eye along with the medicine. long optic health? In the U.S., vitamin deficiencies are rare, so your daily multivitamin should be enough for If the over-the-counter medication doesn’t healthy eyes. Since diseases such as macular take care of the situation, your ophthalmolodegeneration are more common in the elderly, gist will run tests to measure tear production you sometimes see “eye health” vitamin com- and, if needed, can give you prescription pounds marketed toward them. These supple- medication that helps your eyes make more ments won’t hurt you, but they’re usually not tears. necessary. How does vision change as we age? Do we Is there any validity to those old wives’ tales need more frequent eye exams? Even in healthy people with healthy eyes, it’s about the dangers of reading in a dark room normal for vision to change over time, so or sitting too close to the TV? No. Sit as close to the TV as you want. Read after 60, you need an eye exam every year to in a dark room. Kids have better visual func- monitor those changes. tion than adults and can read just fine in dim The normal cycle of vision goes like this: We lighting. That’s one reason teenagers love to have great vision when we’re young, and drive at night and most adults hate it. then about age 45, we begin to lose our near vision. That vision change is called presbyThey have twice as much retinal sufficiency as we do. So when they say they can see just opia, and it’s fine to handle with a pair of cheap reading glasses from the pharmacy. exams, but they definitely need a screening before they enter kindergarten.
Yearly eye exams and frequent changes in your prescriptions may be part of life now. But how did your vision problems start? And what are the most effective treatments? An ophthalmologist answers your most common questions about cataracts, nearsightedness, eye myths and more. Plus, are you taking care of your eye health? Find out in our quiz...
The older we get, the more our vision fades, right? And, of course, our moms warned us that reading in dim light or sitting too close to the TV ruins our eyesight. But are these assumptions correct?
“It was once simply accepted that you lose some degree of visual acuity with age,” says Uday Devgan, M.D., FACS, FRCS, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Devgan Eye Surgery and chief of ophthalmology at the University of California’s Olive View Medical Center, both in Los Angeles.
“But now, thanks to surgical procedures with a high success rate and little pain or downtime, it’s possible for people to have terrific vision throughout their lives.”
It’s also getting easier to protect your eyes from environmental dangers, Devgan says, whether it’s intense sunlight, a long plane flight or a ricocheting racquetball.
In this exclusive interview with Lifescript, Devgan discusses how to preserve and prolong your vision.
What is the single, biggest thing we can do to head off vision trouble? Wear sunglasses that block UV light. Intense exposure to UV light – such as a day spent skiing in bright sunlight – can actually burn the eye’s surface. Too much exposure to even moderate light can accelerate your chances of getting cataracts.
Cataracts are very common – it’s the No. 1 surgery in the U.S., and almost everyone gets them if they live long enough – but light damage can cause cataracts at a much earlier age.
What should parents know about protecting their children’s vision? An increasing number of kids are nearsighted and thus need glasses. There seems to be a loose correlation between nearsightedness and time spent indoors with computers, video games and books.
In Hong Kong, 40% of children wear glasses, and the percentage is rising in the U.S., so pediatricians need to test for it earlier. There’s some debate about what age children need to begin receiving regular eye
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They don’t make your eyes weaker as people sometimes think. Around age 60-65, you start getting cataracts.
Exactly what are cataracts and how are they treated? There’s a lens behind the iris of the eye that is very clear when we’re children but gradually grows milkier each year. By the time people are in their 60s, it can be like looking through cloudy water.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy human lens is removed and replaced with a new, clear man-made lens. This operation is usually done in less than 10 minutes with no stitches, needles, or bleeding. Recovery time is almost immediate – my patients can see the clock on the wall a few minutes after surgery. Though cataract surgery has a 99% success rate, don’t take it lightly. You’ll be seeing the world through this lens every moment for the rest of your life, so interview your surgeon and make sure you feel comfortable with his or her experience level.
What vision problems should send you straight to the doctor? If you lose vision in an eye or part of an eye, get help immediately. A laundry list of things can cause a sudden loss of vision, but all are bad. Also seek immediate help for severe eye pain.
How dangerous is the classic eye disease of childhood, pinkeye? Conjunctivitis, an irritation of the clear layer that covers the eyes, is highly contagious, but 99% of the time it’s not dangerous. If the discharge from the eye is watery and clear, it’s just pinkeye, the viral type of conjunctivitis and can be treated with over-the-counter medication. But if the discharge is a thick mucus, it’s bacterial conjunctivitis, and you’ll need to go to the doctor for antibiotic eye drops.
What’s new in vision correction? Everyone knows about LASIK surgery, but actually that’s just one of a spectrum of ways to correct vision. Some people are opting to have cataract surgery earlier just to get the better lenses sooner.
Permanent contacts can also be implanted in the eye.
What do we know now about vision change that we didn't know 10 years ago? The new generation of lasers for cataract surgery is getting better and better, and so are lenses that can be implanted. Medicare pays $100 for the lens you use in standard cataract surgery, which is OK, but it’s about the quality of a $100 camera.
When my mom had the surgery recently, I suggested she get one of the premium lenses, which are premium both in quality and cost, which is about $3,000. She’s in her 70s, and now she can see better than I can. Source:.Peacefmonline.com
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CONGRATULATIONS: THREE WOMEN OF COLOR WIN NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Afrikan
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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 was awarded on Friday October 7 2011 to three campaigning women from Africa and the Arab world in acknowledgment of their nonviolent role in promoting peace, democracy and gender equality. The winners were Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf — Africa’s first elected female president — her compatriot, peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman of Yemen, a prodemocracy campaigner. They were the first women to win the prize since Kenya’s Wangari Maathai, who died last month, was named as the laureate in 2004. Most of the recipients in the award’s 110-year history have been men, and the award seemed designed to give impetus to the cause for women’s rights around the world.
“We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society,” said the citation read to reporters by Thorbjorn Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister who heads the Oslo-based Nobel committee that chooses the winner of the $1.5 million prize.
In a subsequent interview, he described the prize as “a very important signal to women all over the world.”
As the prize was announced, Bushuben Keita, a spokesman for Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf’s Unity Party, declared: “We are dancing. This is the thing that we have been saying, progress has been made in Liberia. We’ve come through 14 years of war and we have come to sustained peace. We’ve already started dancing.
Leymah Gbowee
where she has been living since February as part of the sit-in organized to underscore demands for change. “This is the victory of our peaceful revolution,” she said. “I am so happy and I give this award to all of the youth and all of the women across the Arab world, in Egypt, in Tunisia.”
But other Middle East activists saw a broader message. “Giving it to Yemen means giving it to the Arab Spring,” said Egyptian activist Asmaa Mahfouz , who had also been nominated for the prize, Reuters reported. “This is an honor to all of us and to all Arab states.”
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Tawakkul Karman
Women for Peace movement, she was praised for mobilizing women “across ethic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war” that raged for years in Liberia until its end in 2003 and for ensuring “women’s participation in elections.”
Her organization had been founded only in 2002 when Ms. Gbowee rallied women to “We cannot build our country or any sing and pray to protest fighting in a fish country in the world without peace,” she market. Her share of the award “is something said. that all Liberian will be proud of,” said Vabah Gayflor, the country’s minister for In a recent interview with the Paris-based gender and development, Reuters reported. monthly magazine, The Africa Report, “Women all over Africa and the world will Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf said she did not be proud.” “want Africa to return to the men’s club” and forecast that women would take over In Yemen, Ms. Karman has been widely in more African countries. known as an activist opposed to the proAmerican regime of President Ali Abdullah “It will definitely happen in other coun- Saleh since 2007, heading a human rights tries because many women are now advocacy group called Women Journalists vying for the presidency, which didn’t Without chains. But it was only earlier this happen much in the past,” said Mrs. year — before the uprisings in Tunisia and Johnson Sirleaf, who was inaugurated in Egypt had gathered pace — that her readiJanuary 2006. ness to take to the streets inspired thousands more in Yemen to do the same. More than 250 people were nominated for the prize this year and there had been Her overnight arrest by the authorities in speculation that it would reward bloggers January incensed many people and is creditor other activists from the Middle East ed by some analysts in Yemen with starting using social networking sites and other the widespread protests that have convulsed Internet platforms as they challenged the impoverished land since then. Some of entrenched dictatorships, particularly in her supporters have labeled her “The Mother Tunisia and Egypt.. of Revolution.”
Mr. Jagland said the 2011 prize recognized those “who were there long before the world’s media was there reporting.”
Africa: Congratulations to Female Nobel Peace Laureates By Hillary Rodham Clinton October
Secertary of State Hillary Clinton
I am delighted to send heartfelt congratulations to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman and Liberian peace activist Leymah Roberta Gbowee for the prestigious honor of sharing this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. They are shining examples of the difference that women can make and the progress they can help achieve when given the opportunity to make decisions about the future of their societies and countries.
The unflinching courage, strength and leadership of these women to build peace, advance reconciliation, and defend the rights of fellow citizens in their own countries provide inspiration for women’s rights and human progress everywhere. This recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments reflects the efforts of many other women who are promoting peace and security in their countries and communities. I want to commend the Nobel Committee for recognizing the powerful role women are playing in building peace and ending conflict around the world.
Since then, however, she has become a conSource:State.gov tentious figure, criticized even by some in the anti-Saleh opposition and her share in the prize could stir further debate among antigovernment activists.
These women are REAL role models. And hopefully next time so many years won’t go by without a female winner!
“This is proof that she has been doing well, there’s no cheating in this, this comes from other people. She’s doing Source:Bossip.com very, very well. Her progress has been confirmed by the international communi- In Liberia, Ms. Gbowee, 39, was cited by ty.” the Nobel committee for uniting Christian and Muslim women against her In Yemen, Ms. Karman, 32, sat in a tent country’s warlords. As head of the
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Passion for an African Child Presents Golden Opportunities Giving impoverished children opportunities for Success
Passion for an African Child (P.A.C) presents the 1st Annual Charity Benefit at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, November 5, 2011. This meaningful event will benefit impoverished children in Africa. Special guests include Ghana’s Ambassador His Excellency Mr. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, P.A.C Advisor Jackie Appiah, with performance by Fif Wilson and many more. “Gold carpet” appearances and interviews will begin at 6:00 PM, with the show starting promptly at 7:00 PM.
P.A.C was founded for one purpose: to improve the lives of our impoverished African brothers and sisters. Our focus is on the minority child, otherwise known as the female child. It is our goal to improve the quality of life for female children in Africa and remove them from the horrors they may face including child trafficking, molestation, female circumcision, arranged marriages and many other issues
female African children are battling every day.
Couple Gold &150: VIP tickets for two individuals. Includes dinner served at your table, assortment of wine and nonalcoholic beverages brought to your table, VIP seating, complimentary gift. www.pfaac.eventbrite.com
Join P.A.C in working to help reduce poverty in Africa by promoting education amongst children, providing much needy medical supplies to medical centers in rural areas, and prov- For more info contact: Rek One: 571-278-0137 ing shelter for orphans. Shirley Asare: 202-569-1764 Gloria B-Darko: 240-671-6835 Tickets: Silver $50: Ticket for one individual. Includes dinner buffet, complimentary assortment of wine and nonalcoholic beverages at the bar, regular seating.
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If you are a high school senior or you are someone contemplating attending graduate school, then you know what time it is: College Application Time. Between November 1 and January 1, 2012, many of you will be faced with the pressure of completing college applications together with the dreaded college essays. But I am here to tell you that the application process can be simplified as long as you are organized and focused. Here are a few tips: HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR:
A. If you are a high school senior, the first thing you need to do is make a list of everything you were involved in, your position in that role, and the years you were involved. For example: SCA Class President, 2008-2010; or Track and Field, Shotputter, 2008-2010. List all of your activities such as: athletics, community service, after school activities, awards you won, and awards that you were nominated for but may not have won, like if you were nominated for Governors School, Youth Salute,etc. Also, if you have received an athletic letter, be sure to state that as well. You will need all of these things when you make your resume for the college application. Also, if you go to a high school that was voted “Best School in the Area”, something like that, make
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COLLEGE TIME – 2011-2012 Guide
sure you put it on your resume.
B. Think about what you want to do. You do not have to know 100% what you want to be in the future, but give it some good thought. Research schools and find which schools have your program of interest. At a school like UVA, you can NOT major in Toy Design, but you can at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. At UVA, you can not just walk in on your first day and declare that you want to major in Accounting, but you can at George Masontherefore, you need to look at your intended major and see if you can simply start the program once accepted or have to apply after being there for two years ( like at UVA where you would have to apply to the Commerce School your second year to do Accounting, Marketing, and more).
C. Application fees: If you are in high school, your guidance counselor can give you a fee waiver so that you will not have to pay the application fees. If your guidance counselor refuses to give it to you, then write a simple letter to the university stating that you are experiencing some financial difficulty and would like to be considered for a fee waiver. The application fees are getting more expensive—if you apply to 5 or more schools, you can easily spend more than $200 on fees, so it is important to know about the fee waiver option.
D. Know your high school code- every school has a high school code- There is more than one Garfield High School in America, therefore the high school code is VITAL in terms of identification. If you do not know your high school code, ask your guidance counselor for it. You will need it when you start filling out your college applications- they ask you for your high school code on the common application.
E. SATs ,SAT IIs, and ACT: If you have some money, take all three exams. If not, make sure you take the SATs, and if you have some change to spare, take the SAT II Subject test. Fee waivers can be obtained for these exams as wellspeak to your guidance counselor as well. If your guidance counselor is mean, speak to another one at your school. The difference between the SAT and ACT: 1) ACT questions are easier to understand than SAT questions ; 2) There is a strong emphasis on vocabulary on the SAT than on the ACT; 3) The SAT has more sections on it and the level of math required is lower than on the ACT, which requires you to know some trigonometry; 4) On the ACT, you are not penalized for guessing wrong, but on the SAT your score is affected negatively if you guess wrong. F. Financial Aid, also known as FAFSA—the FAFSA forms will be released in early 2012. If you are applying for Fall 2012 admission, you can NOT start filling out your FAFSA form online until early 2012. Unless you are ridicu-
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lously wealthy, you should fill out a FAFSA form and the results of the FAFSA form will be sent to the schools that you are applying to so that the schools can figure out how much financial aid you qualify for. All federal loans are based on the FAFSA, so make sure you fill out your FAFSA forms accurately—do NOT rush through your FAFSA forms. After you fill out the FAFSA, do not be surprised if the school sends you their own Financial Aid package to fill out- most of the schools will do that. If that happens, make SURE you fill out that form as well. Here is the FAFSA website: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
G. Scholarships- Many high schools have their own websites and within the websites there are college pages which show scholarships. I HIGHLY advise you to go online, look at other high school websites and click on their scholarship pages because there are hundreds of scholarships available and some schools are better than others at listing them. Personally, the school with the BEST scholarship page is Thomas Jefferson High School of Science & Technology. If you are a senior anywhere in the U.S, go to this site and see which ones you qualify for, like the Wal-Mart, Gates Millenium Scholar, Susan G Komen, and others. Make sure you pay close attention to the application deadlines. Type in this site to see TJ’s scholarship site : http://academics.tjhsst.edu/careercenter/scholname.htm Continue on pg. 33
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D.C. Suburbs Flush With Foreign Royalty
Afrikan
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"Wait! Please, don't sit there," the priest calls out. "Come to the front of the table. You can't just sit anywhere. You're very famous."
Outside the church, the Selassies seem like any other family. The prince works at the International Strategic Studies Association, a think tank focusing on issues such as water security in Africa. The princess approves mortgage loans for the Congressional Federal Credit Union.
WASHINGTON — On Whistling Duck Drive in Upper Marlboro, Md., resides Kofi Boateng, an Ashanti king of Ghana (there are many) who works as a CPA and whose palace is a sprawling McMansion with a football game on the flat-screen TV and pictures of West African royalty hanging over the fireplace. "Sometimes, these suburbs are so quiet they remind me of my village in Ghana," Boateng says.
Kebede and Boateng are just two of the many lesser-known royals living in the Washington suburbs. They include King Kigeli Ndahindurwa V, who ruled Rwanda until his overthrow in 1961, and Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who runs an advocacy association targeting the need for democracy in his home country. The petite, curly-haired princess of Ethiopia is a mortgage-loan officer who commutes 40 minutes a day, does her own dishes and shops for sales on twin sweater sets.
"I don't have bodyguards clearing traffic or tailors stitching my clothes. This is America," says Saba Kebede of McLean, Va., who laughed and looked at her husband, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, the grandson of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie.
While Washington is traditionally a destination for those who seek power, it's also a refuge for those who no longer have it.
But royals are becoming increasingly important to the Ethiopian community, which sees its history in the face of Prince Selassie. There is a growing movement among the younger generation to honor the controversial legacy of the prince's grandfather.
Prince Selassie heads the Crown Council of Ethiopia, which works to retain dynastic traditions and highlight the emperor's achievements. The council would like constitutional monarchy to return to Ethiopia, although there is no plan to restore that system.
Zahir Shah in 1991.
Zikria and her brother Gul Ahmed Zikria, the surgeon, live relatively quiet lives amid memories of a different age. "We grew up during what I witnessed as Afghanistan's belle epoque," Zikria says. "We lived in Afghanistan during a time when I was so free. I would jump on trees, leap over brooks, ride my bicycle in the garden at night."
She's silent, then quietly says: "The freedom we had during that time — well, no Afghan woman has had it since. And I wonder if they will ever have it again."
Zikria shares a house with her sister, who owns a hair salon. They have a view of the Shenandoah mountains, which, she says, are a little like those of Afghanistan. King at wedding
"Look, Daddy, the king is here!" calls out 6-year-old Frederick Oliver Quaye, dressed in a tuxedo with a purple vest and matching bow tie. It's a holiday weekend, libations are flowing, and "We never abdicated the throne," the fufu and fried fish are being served at a wedding party. prince points out. "Maybe there are still fairy tales," says Kebede, taking hold of her husband's arm. "They just happen in lands far, far away, like Alexandria, Virginia."
Kofi Boateng, the regional king of Ghana, represents the Washington area. He enters his basement with his counterpart, Queen Mother Nana Ama Achiaa, as if they were arriving at their palace.
Restaurant regular Both are draped in bright orange, Many royals are in exile; others came because their grandparents or parents, who were deposed, thought the United States offered Zoulaikha Zikria orders mushroom green and red kente cloth. Their arms better opportunities and Washington offered the prestige and access soup at a La Madeleine in Bethesda, are stacked with gold bracelets. of living in a world capital. Md., where she's a regular. The royals take their seats on thrones asparkle with copper and animal skin Many rub shoulders with World Bank officials, human-rights advo- "Bonjour, madam. I have your to signify power and command authorcates and senators at embassy functions and fundraisers. Being favorite," a cashier from Gabon ity. A receiving line of Ghanaian royals, they preside over births, weddings and funerals in a ceresays, and the two women chat. Americans forms to greet them. Some monial capacity. Being suburbanites, they get stuck in traffic, pick shake their hands; others stand at up dry cleaning and help their children with homework. Zikria, known professionally by the attention. last name Younoszai, looks like an "In America, the title and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee," jokes Afghan Anna Wintour: slim, with a Gul Ahmed Zikria, an obstetric surgeon who hails from the Afghan porcelain complexion, oversize sun- "It's like when an officer in the military comes in. You show respect," says royal family. "But if royals are at home anywhere, it's Washington, glasses and a neat bob of thick Frederick Quaye, the boy's father and D.C." chestnut hair. The retired Georgetown University French pro- a Ghanaian American who served in They leave their castles and courts behind, but not their status fessor is a member of Afghanistan's the U.S. Army in Iraq. "This may be America, but they are our royals." among their countrymen or the duties that come with it. royal family.
Ethiopian gathering
At a suburban Ethiopian orthodox church, Prince Selassie and his wife, Princess Kebede, are wading through a crowd of women wearing gauzy cotton wraps over their hair and bowing in prayer. They take their seats around a table for a traditional Ethiopian meal.
Most other Afghan royals say they Source: don't want to be photographed or Emily Wax/The Washington Post appear at embassy events. They'd like to weigh in on the problems in Afghanistan but say they shouldn't, in part because they fear for their safety. An Islamic extremist stabbed exiled Afghan King Mohammad
The People Of
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To Celebrate Christmas With The Commissioning Of A New Clinic
The Bodomase Development Association, USA Inc, a non-profit charitable organization based in Alexandria,Virginia, which has spearheaded the building of a clinic in the town of Bodomasi will be commissioning the clinic on December 26, 2011. Some members of the association will be going to Ghana in December for the event. The association , which was born out of the Bodomase Citizens Development Association (BCDA) in November 2006, has been dedicated to help improve the living conditions of the people of Bodomasi. They initially conceived the idea of building a community center (town hall ), but in response to the living conditions of the people of Bodomasi and its surrounding villages, which calls for immediate medical intervention, they decided to convert it into a clinic. The clinic will serve the needs of about 150,00 from Kumawu, Besoro, Nkwanta, Temaate, Bodomasi, Ntaantale, Woraso, Abotanso and Anananya. So many people are dying of curable sicknesses in these areas, driving down life expectancy due to lack of basic medical care and poor environmental conditions. It is expected that the medical facility will support and alleviate their health care needs in times of emergency. Speaking to the President of the Association Mr. Kwasi Okoh (Osikani) he said it has taken a lot of hard work and commitment from the executives and the entire membership who have provided the financial support for the project. Many Ghanaians in the Washington metro area have also in the past provided financial support at fundraising events. He was hopeful that the asssociation would embark on more projects to support the Bodomasi township and its environs. He therefore asked all Bodomasi citizens in the United States to come together and forge a united front and also attend meetings to be abreast with development projects back home. All roads lead to Bodomasi on December 26, 2011
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It Is Personal
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Dr. Miriam C. Gyimah
ver wonder why some things happen to you? Do you search and find no clear answers to questions about your personal adversities? There is an answer. It is because of who you are. It is because as a child of God, you are special; you are “the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8); you have been made a “peculiar person” (1st Peter 2:9) and as a result, someone, something, desires that very special thing in and about you. And they will come in their full strength to separate you from it and even usurp your place. Are you going to cower in the fetal position somewhere in a corner and relinquish your rights, joy and peace for that someone or are you going to stand to assert yourself and strength knowing who you are in the Lord? It is obvious that all people will experience adversities and challenges. That is a clear and undeniable truth of life confirmed time after time. Perhaps for an entire year, your nation’s rainy season will be so overwhelming that it will begin too early, rain too much and end well after its usual time, leaving your crops in ruins, unsalvageable. Or perhaps, the dry season also will come too early, stay well after its welcome and leave your land parched and unquenchable. The world’s economy could fall drastically and we will all feel the pinch in job loss and inflation. Such things happen not only to you, but to everyone and we will all suffer along with each other. Then there are those times when something will happen only to you. Sometimes, such occurrences are simply the natural order of life, but then at certain times, they are directed at you and you alone. All we know is that moments before, we were walking on solid ground and then in the next moment, we have fallen into a pit, desperately looking up, frantically calling for help. The adversity could be financial, where all was well and now as a result of job loss you become virtually homeless. It can be an unhappy and unstable home life, serious health problems, or even the sudden death of a loved one. The fact is that once upon a time, you were happily serving and worshiping your God, obeying His word and enjoying the blessings, but in the next moment, everything changed as if the ground you were walking on was quaking, threatening to come apart and swallow you. Don’t fret. It is personal. According to God’s word, our personal trials and tribulations and even eventual
demise can be warranted by our own disobedience as in the case of Jonah, who intentionally disobeying God’s directions, was swallowed by a whale that God Himself had assigned to swallow him. Jonah remained in the whale for three days repenting and praying until God released him. Let’s also recall Samson, who after disobeying by mingling with people God had forbidden the Israelites to consort with, yielded to the seductress power of Jezebel and found himself without his hair and strength. Samson met his demise with his enemies because he had sinned by doing his own thing. If you are undergoing adversities, search to see if you have erred in some way and quickly make amends with God and whomever else, to bring an end to your affliction. However, many times in our Christian journey the attacks in our lives are not warranted. We have done absolutely nothing to deserve those severe hardships. In fact, we have rather been faithful in our roles as children of God. This is when we should discern that it is a personal attack brought by our enemies to undermine and even cause our demise. At such times, we should recall that because we have clearly and consciously chosen to serve God, though we have been promised righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17) and all that God has to offer to us here and beyond, we have nevertheless enlisted ourselves in an army, and there are ongoing battles and wars in which we partake on the spiritual level which can obviously result in injuries and casualties. We must acknowledge and accept this, for it is a spiritual truth from which we cannot escape. Take for instance the story of Queen Esther. In The Book of Esther, the queen’s cousin Mordecai was personally being pursued by his enemy Haman, because the proud Haman was angry that Mordecai wouldn’t bow down to him as did everyone. Mordecai understood that he was only to bow to God and not to any man or idol. As a result, Haman hated him, and conceived in his heart a means to kill not only him but all the Jews of the kingdom as well. The plot was personally designed against Mordecai, but he knew what to do. He enlisted the help of Esther and although Esther knew that standing up for Mordecai and the Hebrew people could mean certain death to her, she took up the challenge and proclaimed a three-day fast for her people. In the end, it was neither Mordecai nor the Hebrew people who were killed, but the gallows that Haman had fashioned intending to trap Mordecai were the very gallows that sealed his fate; Haman was executed! When you are a faithful child of God, your enemies in the spiritual and even the natural realm will become jealous and hateful wanting to see you disgraced and destroyed. But your response to the trials they precipitate and your unwavering belief and faithfulness to God in this time of pain and anguish will ensure that they will be the ones to be made ashamed. What they had wished on you will rather befall them. Let’s confirm the above with another incident in Daniel chapter six which has the same end. Daniel, a Hebrew leader in Persia
was hated and envied. Daniel was hated because not only did he excel at his work and was favored by King Darius, but also because he faithfully prayed to and worshiped his God and not the gods of the land. As a result, venom filled the hearts of the other leaders so much so that they plotted to compromise him where he would eventually be killed. His enemies connived to have an irreversible edict written and approved by the king that for 30 days, only the king should be prayed to and that anyone found praying to any god or man should be put to death. See, the fact is that your enemies watch and study you. They come to learn about you so that they can place obstacles in your way to cause you to trip and fall. Their constant intention is to see you knocked off your pedestal, the very pedestal with which God has so graciously endowed you. The schemers in this case knew that Daniel was faithful to his God and that despite the decree, he would pray and thus, their innermost desire would be realized when Daniel is put to death. Daniel wasn’t fooled. It was personal, but he knew in whom he had believed. He also knew that come what may, he would rather obey his God than men. So unafraid and unashamed, Daniel continued to pray three times a day by his open windows. He was seized and thrown into the lions’ den to be demolished. But when morning came, Daniel was still alive as God had shut the lions’ mouths so that they could not devour Daniel. Rather, those who conspired and developed the decree solely to entrap Daniel were the ones who, along with their wives and children, were thrown into the lions’ den and destroyed. It is personal when an entire edict has been established simply because of one person. It is personal when your enemies search and plot to determine how they might bring about pain and misery to your life. Would they be successful with their gossiping, backbiting and shunning? Will that be the way they will cause you to become discouraged and stop doing what you have been doing for God? Are you going to stop leading the praise and worship team or quit the choir? Are you going to step down from that post to which you were elected or appointed on your job or at church? Are you going to stop attending church service or quit the church altogether? What is going to be your response to the attacks and machinations made against you? Are you going to accuse the Lord of being unfaithful to you because the loss of a good job and good health are now your woes or are you going to stand firm and fight these battles knowing who you are in God and acknowledging the manipulations of the enemy? Finally, let’s consider another individual who was perfect in every way even according to God Himself, but was faced with unbelievable tragedy, simply because of another’s resentment. In the Book of Job, Job of Uz, the greatest man of the East in those times, was blessed beyond measure, because he was upright and faithful to God. But of course, Satan himself could not leave that
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alone. He was jealous, because while he was homeless roaming back and forth on Earth, Job had real estate properties, innumerable livestock and blessed with ten children. Job also had the respect of his community. Consequently, Satan challenges God that Job is only faithful because of the blessings that God has granted him, not because he loves God. God allows Satan, Job’s enemy, to have his way with his wealth and all his blessings. He does and Job loses everything, even his children in one day. But Job only prostrated himself and worshiped God, accepting God’s supremacy. Dissatisfied with Job’s response, Satan goes back to God and asks to attack Job’s health. God grants the permission, trusting that Job will never cease to love and worship Him. Job’s body is attacked with painful boils from his head to the soles of his feet, but he remained faithful in his worship and never cursed God. In the end, the Lord rewarded Job for his faithfulness by not only healing his body, but by also blessing him with twice as much as he had before. Additionally, God blessed him with ten more children, the very number of children he had previously, and lastly, he was blessed with long life, where he lived until 140yrs. Was the attack on Job personal? No doubt. Was it intended to undermine and discredit him? Absolutely. Did Job stop worshiping God and did he curse Him? No. While Job was not privy to what had transpired between God and Satan, Job knew his God and understood that both blessings and curses can come from His hands. Believing that he had been faithful to God, that he had not brought those curses unto himself, he stayed true to his Lord. What is your response when such things happen to you? What challenge or trial are you facing? Have you determined its roots? Was it brought about by your disobedience to God or can you identify it as a personal attack to test you? What are you doing about it? What will you do about it? Are you going to fight by praying and fasting as Esther, Mordecai and the Hebrews did in order to claim your victory over the situation? Are you going to obey your God and continue to pray and call upon his name as did Daniel? Or are you going to continue to worship and continue your faithful relationship with Him as did Job, knowing that your God is faithful and supreme and that despite your afflictions, He is worthy to be worshiped and praised? When such attacks come, know that they are personal, but know even more that this is when it is time to fight and shame your enemies and claim what is yours. Don’t allow the jealous ones to triumph over you. Don’t let Satan and his demonic and human agents to harass and have their way with you. There is something special about you that they desire. There is something wonderful about you that they want to destroy. Are you going to let them? Fight them all the way until it is over, knowing that God fights alongside you.
NIGERIAN 51ST INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE October
Saturday, October 8th, marked the biggest celebration for Nigerians worldwide as many gathered in New York City to celebrate the country's 51st Independence Day. The three-day independence day celebration ended with a parade from 54th street to 44th street in Manhattan. Whether it was the sound of the dancers beating their feet to the talking drums, the old mingling with the young, or the fuji singers reverberating their voices to be heard, there is no doubt this was a congregation of a people proud of their culture and heritage. It was a joyous day as the scent of suya, akara, puff-puff and other delicacies wafted through the air and as individuals, sharing hugs and laughters, reunited with each other. Congratulations and happy birthday Nigeria! By Adeyinka Adiatu
Happy Birthday Nigeria
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Books For Africa Rated in Top 4% of Charities by Charity Navigator
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Corporate Council on Africa Concludes 8th USAfrica Trade Summit In Washington, DC
Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel / Omni Shoreham Hotel By Frederick Nnoma-Addison
The leading US non-profit organization working to promote trade between the United States and African countries, The Corporate It is our honor to inform you that Books For Africa recently Council on Africa -CCA- (www.africacncl.org) has concluded an extraordinarily successful US-Africa Trade Summit in Washington, received a fifth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to DC. More than 1500 private and public sector leaders from the United States and Africa as well as dozens of American and African accountability and transparency. diplomats convened for the 8th Biennial US-Africa Trade Summit to discuss business and investment opportunities on the African con"Only 4% of the charities we rate have received at least 5 tinent. Mr. Stephen Hayes, President of the Council together with consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Books For several business and public officials made a compelling case for US Africa outperforms most other charities in America." companies to invest in various sectors in Africa. — Charity Navigator CEO Ken Berger “It is time for US companies to identify their African partners and maximize the existing business opportunities in Africa for the further development of the African continent and the global economy. Africa is open for business, and has been for several decades now and I hope you will find this summit useful in diverse ways. We at the Corporate Council on Africa will continue to provide through this forum and to our member companies a continuous stream of trade and investment opportunities from across the African continent.” – Stephen Hayes, President Corporate Council on Africa
Help Send BFA Books to Children in Newly Created South Sudan
Because of the protracted war in Sudan that lasted for many decades, social infrastructures are virtually non-existent. During the war, schools were looted and destroyed. After the peace agreement signed in 2005, life is getting back to normal, but there are not enough schools for children. Children across South Sudan gather anywhere to get what they all crave: education. They sit on stones under the trees as makeshift classrooms and face many difficulties, including lack of learning materials and teaching aids.
Western Equatoria Community Association (WECA) is working with Books For Africa to send books to children in The premise for the just ended summit and indeed the establishment Western Equatoria State. Every donation for educational of the Corporate Council on Africa in 1993 is that Africa is one of resources will make a difference in the lives of children in the fastest-growing economic regions in the world, attracting forSouth Sudan eign direct investment (FDI) from businesses small to large from around the globe. According to the Harvard Business Review, Africa and Asia were the only continents to grow during the recent economic recession. Africa’s growth rate increased to nearly 5% in 2010 and is likely to reach 5.2% in 2011. If Africa continues to grow at this pace, consumers will buy $1.4 trillion worth of goods and services in 2020-slightly less than India’s projected $1.7 trillion but more than Russia’s $960 billion. Africa offers a higher return on investment than any other emerging market, according to UN data; and is home to a tremendous market of more than 900 million potential consumers. The continent is seeing increasingly higher levels of investment in industries such as infrastructure, natural resources, telecommunications, agribusiness, health, energy and others. Addressing participants at the Doing Business in Ghana Forum, one of the most popular sessions in view of Ghana’s political stability and business advantages, Mr. Steven Hayes, with a clinched fist continuously stressed the timeliness of exploring investments in one of the world's key emerging markets. US Ambassador to Ghana, Donald G. Teitelbaum and Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Daniel Ohene Agyekum jointly supported Mr. Hayes’s position on doing business in Africa especially during the current global economic crisis. “If people in more economically advanced countries say that Africa
23
is behind in most of her industries then that is the same reason
for US companies to consider investing in Africa because the disadvantages we have on the continent is in actual fact an opportunity for innovative and visionary companies and I hope the business leaders at this forum will listen to the speakers and take advantage of what my country has to offer.”- Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum
“Often time’s people refer to me as the popular US Ambassador.
Truth is that I am not popular at all. Rather it is the country in which I serve (Ghana) that is popular hence people get to know about me. I have served as US diplomat and Ambassador in a number of countries and I can tell you that for some of those countries all we would have needed for this forum would have been a booth in a restaurant and not a large ballroom in a Washington, DC Hotel. Ghana’s unfolding success story is historic and I encourage you to explore the opportunities available as other US companies have already done.” - Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum
Attendees of the Summit had the opportunity to visit booths of exhibitors, attend plenary session and workshops in various sectors including Energy, Agribusiness, Security, Goods & Services, Franchises, Power and Health. To celebrate some of the new partnerships that were formed through the summit, participants attended a Closing Dinner on Friday night (October 7th) at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Being a biennial event the next summit is tentatively scheduled for 2013.
About The Corporate Council on Africa The Corporate Council on Africa is a nonpartisan, non-profit 501 (c) (3) membership organization of nearly 180 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85% of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa. The organization is dedicated to bringing together potential business partners and showcasing business opportunities on the continent.
Posted by AMIP News (Info@afroimagetv.org)
Airtel Subcribers Can Pay “Trotro” Fares With Phones
Afrikan
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Lufthansa To Introduce Daily Flights To Accra
The German Airline, Lufthansa, will from November 1 2011, increase its Accra/Frankfurt service from five weekly flights to a daily service with a brand new configured Boeing 737-800 Intercontinental, featuring Lufthansa‘s latest product.
Trotro Passengers
Airtel Ghana subscribers can now use their mobile phone devices to transact all forms of businesses from paying utility bills to boarding Trotros (commercial vehicles) in the country.
This followed Airtel Ghana’s new innovation in its award winning mobile commerce service formerly called Zap, which has now become Airtel Mobile to allow subscribers’ mobile phone to function as a mobile wallet.
In short, the Airtel Money has the most comprehensive package of e-commerce and payment features currently in the Ghanaian market that has brought on board financial institutions, super markets/shops, utility companies among many others to help facilitate Ghana's cashless system.
affordable and accessible to all in Africa and especially in Ghana and through Airtel Money. We have created safety by initiating a cashless society....” he added.
The enhanced Airtel Money will provide millions of people with access to banking services for the first time and has the potential to transform banking in Africa and increase access to financial services.
Airtel customers can transfer funds from person to person, can access banking services, pay their bills and transfer airtime on and across networks.
Close to two million Airtel subscribers are currently registered with the service and more than 21,000 are using it for their day to day transactions.
“Airtel Money is the first to launch in West Africa the mobile money banking part of the service,” Mr Emmanuel Source: GNA Kola, Head of Airtel Money told journalists in Accra on Wednesday at an experiential seminar on the offer.
Kenya, he said, introduced the system six years ago and today the country is largely a cashless society as commuters pay their lorry fares via their mobile phones and virtually buy everything with them.
Airtel Sales Director, Luck Ochieng said, “Airtel as a company has a track record that is unrivalled in mobile telecommunications for delivering relevant and innovative mobile solutions to help customers to overcome their daily challenges.”
“Our goal...is to make communications, banking, payments and infotainment
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2011
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Marriage taboo: Why Zimbabwean won't wed in November
Every society has its own traditions and superstitions, and in Zimbabwe getting married in the month of November is a taboo.
A statement issued in Accra on Saturday by the airline said The belief goes back many, many years, with a fear with the further enhancement of the flight schedule, travelers would enjoy greater flexibility and the convenience of a that a November wedding will bring bad luck. daily link with Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, one of the world’s "November weddings are a big no-no... I would leading gateways for air travel. have had a November wedding but I think my parents would have a problem with a November wedThe statement quoted Mr. Yannick Aplogan, Lufthansa ding. My parents would have had a heart attack. My General Manager Ghana, as saying: “I am very pleased to announce the further enhancement of our service from Accra grandparents would not have attended," a bride in to our Frankfurt hub. For business travelers in particular the Harare, Tinashe, told the BBC. flexibility of a daily service is key. Our correspondent Steve Vickers sent this report to the BBC's Network Africa programme. The statement said all flights would be nonstop operations.
It said passengers would enjoy the benefit of a late evening departure from Accra on all seven days of the week.
Source:BBCNews.com
“All flights provide lean onward connections to Lufthansa destinations in Germany, numerous other European cities and a vast number of destinations in Lufthansa’s intercontinental network. ”
The statement said in Canada, Lufthansa served some 20 destinations and countless more in cooperation with code share partners United Airlines and with affiliate JetBlue, in which Lufthansa had a 15. 6 per cent equity stake.
Source: GNA
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EGYPT: MUBARAK SONS HAVE MILLIONS IN SWISS BANKS
Afrikan
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SAUDI ARABIA CROWN PRINCE SULTAN DIES October
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Saud.
The Sudairi Seven are the sons of Ibn Saud's most influential wife, Hassa bint Ahmad al-Sudairi. The oldest of the seven was King Fahd, who died in 2005 - to be succeeded by a half-brother, the current King Abdullah.
Prince Sultan's first appointment was as governor of Riyadh and he became minister of defence and aviation in 1963.
He oversaw extraordinary expenditure on modernising the armed forces - with multi-billion dollar deals making Saudi Arabia one of the world's biggest arms spenders.
Prince Sultan was also involved in the setting up and development of the national airline, Saudia.
He was one of the strongest supporters of forging close ties with the US, which faced its biggest challenge after 9/11.
Jamal Mubarak (left) and Alaa Mubarak (right), sons of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
Switzerland has allowed Egyptian authorities to seize $340 million deposited by sons of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in Swiss banks. "Around $300 million of the sum are owned by Alaa (Mubarak's oldest son) and 40 million by Jamal (Mubarak's other son," added Egypt's Assistant Justice Minister Essam Al Gohari.
dering. The court, which tried the Salems in absentia, also ordered them to pay fines of more than $4 billion, which it said they had illegally earned from controversial gas supplies to Israel.
Egyptian authorities accuse several officials in the Mubarak regime of illegally earning and stashing vast amounts of overseas money. Some of them are already in detention.
The official requested the Egyptian court of "The committee, tasked with restoring the appeal to set an urgent hearing session to looted money, has got documents proving rule on the decision of confiscating the that a number of figures in the former money. regime, have fabulous fortunes abroad," said Al Gohari. Alaa and Jamal are being tried on charges of corruption and manipulating their "They resorted to tricks to hide their wealth father's power for illegal enrichment. by setting up offshore companies, which do not fall under the authority of the countries Al Gohari, who heads a governmental where they are created," he added. authority for pursuing illegal wealth, was quoted by state Egyptian television as saySource: Gulfnews.com ing that he has also ordered the confiscation of $6 billion owned by business tycoon Hussain Salem, a close associate of Mubarak, abroad.
"A committee set up to regain looted money, is seeking through a legal practice in Spain, to get Salem and his two children extradited to Egypt for illegal enrichment," added al-Gohari.
An Egyptian court last week sentenced Salem and his two children to seven years in prison each on charges of money laun-
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince
Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud has died, Saudi TV says.
The crown prince was King Abdullah's halfbrother and first in line to the Saudi throne. He was also minister of defence and aviation.
He was in his eighties and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. He is thought to have died at a New York hospital.
Prince Sultan had been on a visit to the US for medical tests, and he had an operation in New York in July.
The royal court confirmed the death in a statement carried by SPA, the state news agency:
"With deep sorrow and sadness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mourns the death of his brother and his Crown Prince Sultan... who died at dawn this morning Saturday outside the kingdom following an illness."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paid tribute to the crown prince, saying Washington's ties with Saudi Arabia were "strong and enduring".
"The Crown Prince was a strong leader and a good friend to the United States over many years, as well as a tireless champion for his country," Mrs Clinton said during a visit to Tajikistan. 'Moderniser'
Crown Prince Sultan was a member of the most powerful family group in Saudi Arabia, the Sudairi Seven, and one of the sons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, known as Ibn
His son, Prince Bandar, was instrumental in this as the kingdom's Washington ambassador for more than 20 years.
But BBC Middle East analyst Sebastian Usher says that, with the current generation of Saudi leaders now in their seventies or eighties, there is no clear idea yet of who will take over among Ibn Saud's legion of grandsons when they have died out. Next in line
Prince Sultan's most likely successor as the next in line to the Saudi throne is Prince Nayef, 78, also a full brother of King Abdullah and one of the Sudairi Seven.
He has been the interior minister, in charge of the security forces, since 1975. In contrast to King Abdullah, who is seen as a cautious reformer, Prince Nayef is believed to be closer to conservative Wahhabi clerics.
Earlier this year, as part of a package of reforms to see off unrest spreading from other Arab countries, the king announced an extra 60,000 posts to be created within the security forces.
In 2009, after Prince Sultan fell ill, King Abdullah named Nayef as his second deputy prime minister, traditionally the post of the second in line to the throne.
However, the king - who is 87- has also established a succession council, made up of his brothers and nephews.
It is expected to meet for the first time to determine who will be named as the next in line to the Saudi throne. Source: BBCnews.com
Afrikan
Private & Public Use Of Tongues – Part 1
Post
be accompanied by interpretation or else zip your lips.
Paul concludes in 1 Corinthians 14:18 by claming to benefits from speaking in Tongues in his own personal life. He claimed he could speak in Tongues more than all the believers and for that he was grateful to God. He was making reference to the private use of tongues. He finally encourages all believers not to be intimidated or shy away form the private use of tongues 1 Corinthians 14:39.
Rev. George Annan
The speaking of unknown Tongues began with the birth of the New Testament church in Acts 2:1-8 and became an experience subsequent to salvation throughout the book of the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostles ministered to any individual or group of people who received the gospel and got Born Again. The evidence was always with the speaking of other tongues. No single believer was denied (Check back on a future article on the baptism as it runs through the book of Acts; the Early Church).
In one of his teaching epistles to the church at Corinth the Apostle Paul touched on the subject of Tongues because there were misunderstanding, controversies and misuse of the gift. Paul underscored the fact that there is a private and public use of Tongues. The private use is between the individual and God. It is a means of personal edification and a channel of communication with God.
In 1 Corinth 14:2-4 Paul set forth the two usages of tongues. He distinguish between PRIVATE USE (which is between the individual and God) and PUBLIC USE which is ministry of edification to the church or congregation. The public use Paul instructed must always be accompanied by interpretation.
In verse 5-6 he considers the church to be greater than the individual and so prefers tongues with interpretation for building up the church to the private use of tongues because its ministry directed (horizontal) while’s private use is for personal edification (vertical). And if in the church one is able to speak in tongues with interpretation which is prophecy he is just as equal to the person who uses tongues for private purpose. He never waters down on the need for private use because you cannot edify the church when you are not edified yourself. You cannot strengthen your brother when you are weak. Personal edification in the spirit comes by the private use of tongues. He then set the order for public ministry of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14: 27. It must always
The Only time Paul suggested tongues will cease is when He that is perfect is come 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Some have concluded that the written word (the Bible) is the perfect thing so once we have the Bible tongues have ceased. This interpretation is conflicting because the church is still waiting for the second coming of the perfect and the living word Jesus. In Hebrews 13:14 the bible makes it explicitly clear that we are still waiting for the second coming of He who is perfect (Jesus Christ) so until Jesus shows up to rapture His church the speaking of other tongues will still be relevant and prevalent in the church.
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Bishop David Oyedepo, one of Nigeria's Richest Pastors, Completes N2 Goshen Project
Bishop David Oyedepo
and the founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church World Wide also known as Winners Chapel and its affiliated International churches known as Winners Chapel International, with headquarters in Ogun State, Nigeria. He is also the senior pastor of Faith Tabernacle, a 50,000 Named Goshen City, it’s a replica of seat church auditorium reputed to be the largest Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State. church auditorium in the world by the Guinness There is a second school of thought that hold to Book of Records. The Winners Chapel network the view that tongues ceased with the death of It’s comfortably lying atop over 560 acres of churches is present in over 300 cities in all of land,along Abuja-Keffi Road. the apostles. Buts listen to what the apostle states of Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in Peter had to say on the day of Pentecost with reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Information available to us revealed that the 32 African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.[2][3] Oyedepo Goshen project commenced in 2008.And the speaking of tongues. Peter himself had today,a 15,000 capacity sanctuary has been has been seen as one of pioneers of the Christian been a recipient of the Baptism of the Holy charismatic movement in Africa and has been erected along with other facilities like Spirit and had begun to speak in tongues. For referred to as one of the most powerful preachers Convenant Printing Press, Heritage School the first time Peter spoke of the experience and in Nigeria.[4] He was named in 2011 by Forbes and Faith Academy(the primary and secondgives the scope of those who could be beneficiary schools of Winners Chapel). Also,a mini magazine as being the richest pastor in Nigeria, aries of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Peter worth around $150 million[ echoed a prophesy in Joel 2:28-32 that the out- housing complex has been put in place.. pouring of the Holy spirit with the evidence of Source:onlinenigeria.com/wikipedia David O. Oyedepo, affectionately called speaking of other tongues was not just for the apostles on the day of Pentecost but the prom- "Papa" by members of his church congregation is a Nigerian Christian author, Preacher ise was for all flesh and as many as the Lord our God shall call Acts 2:1-39. Jesus had also said the speaking of other tongues is one of the signs of them that believe in Him Mark 16:1517. In the realm where the great commission, evangelism and soul winning are to be carried out the speaking of other tongues will be relevant and prevalent in the Church. The Ministry of Tourism has closed down the making the racial comments. Bishop David Oyedepo has added yet another feather to his crowded cap.He has completed a multibillion naira Abuja Goshen project.
Government of Ghana Closes Down 'Whites Only' Restaurant
Oh how relevant is Paul’s words to the believers of today “forbid not to speak in other tongues 1 Corinthians 14:39.”
To read more articles by Pastor George or to get in contact visit: www.redemptionnews.org qqq
Atlantic Lobster and Dolphins Ltd, a seafood According to the Deputy Minister, the Italian owner said his remark was only meant as a joke. restaurant in Osu, Accra, for flouting the country’s tourism laws. It would be recalled that Elizabeth Okoro, a young woman with Ghanaian and Nigerian The seafood restaurant is also alleged to be parentage was reportedly denied access to the perpetuating racism in the country. restaurant with the explanation that it was 'opened to whites only'. Deputy Tourism Minister James Agyenim Boateng who confirmed this also added that Okoro said she was astounded when owners of the place told her to the face that the restaurant the restaurant was operating as a catering was operating a new policy in which 'only whites' service but failed to adhere to legislative were allowed to register and become members of instrument by registering with the Ghana the club. Tourism Board. The incident is said to have occurred on He however denied that the closure is premised on the allegations of racial discrim- Wednesday, October 26th. ination, even though he admits that the Source: Peacefmonline.com Italian owner, Anthony Daliou, confirmed
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Afrikan
Post
HOW TO FIX A DYING RELATIONSHIP Step 1
avoid blaming the other person. Partners never should have to defend Identify the problem. You can’t fix your themselves, since sincerity can have relationship until you know for certain what more of an impact on the other person is broken. Once you know what went than arguing. If you want your relawrong, you can work on repairing the dam- tionship to survive, it takes two to age. Amy Botwinick, author of commit to making it work. When cou"Congratulations on Your Divorce: The ples show empathy for each other’s Road To Finding Your Happily Ever After,” feelings, they can usually deal with points out that you need to be realistic and their problems in a more pragmatic honest when evaluating your relationship, manner. especially if you are considering divorce. Divorce might not necessarily be the best Step 4 option, however. Botwinick emphasizes that Forgive each other. According to when individuals experience serious probMayo Clinic, forgiveness can take lems in a relationship, it’s time to give care- time. However, a couple needs to ful thought to what it will really take to restore the trust in the relationship make it work. before partners can move their lives together forward in a positive direcStep 2 tion. Overview Step 5 Every relationship experiences its share of problems. But when things get Place things in perspective. Couples freso bad that you wonder if the relationship is worth saving, that’s the time quently have to give each other space for a Talk with each other, but not before to step back and take a careful look. One of the worst things either part- while to sort things out. Having a little time you can talk calmly and rationally. ner in a relationship can do is to make an emotional decision before con- on your own to think gives you the opportu- Keep the lines of communication nity to calm down. Afterward, you might be open, and discuss the problems in your sidering all the practical issues. As impossible as it may seem when less likely to make rash decisions. relationship openly and honestly. things begin to go wrong, there are steps you can take to save a dying relationship. John Gottman, who conducts research on marriage and famStep 6 ily dynamics, suggests that often it’s emotional distance, and not conflict, Step 3 Assume responsibility for your actions, and Listen to what your partner has to say. that causes problems in a relationship.
October 2011
Page 28
This lets him know that you respect him. Make him feel like he can talk to you about anything that is bothering him. A study reported in the July 2003 issue of the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology” showed that individuals who felt respected by their partners were better able to handle the emotional upsets that occur in their relationships. Sandra L. Murray, a psychology professor at University at Buffalo of the State University of New York, led the research, in which married partners kept a daily diary for three weeks, recording perceptions of their spouses’ regard for them.
Step 7 Compromise, especially in relation to sharing problems and responsibilities. Determine whether the two of you are working toward the same goals, and if you are willing to work on solving your problems together. Source: .Myjoyonline.com
ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION ENGAGES AFRICAN MINERALS Mr. Raymond Kamara further told the AML staff that they were expected to be transparent and accountable in the way and manner they do their business. He however lauded their efforts as they are contributing positively to the development of the country.
(l-r) Jemima Bangura, Edward S Kanu, of AML at the meeting
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has as one of its objectives “to take all steps as may be necessary for the prevention, eradication or suppression of corruption and corrupt practices”. In this regard, the ACC on Friday 7th October 2011 held a customised meeting with middle and top level management staff of the African Minerals Limited (AML) at their Conference Hall, Project Based Camp Mankneh, Makeni. (Photo: Michael Hallahan, AML’s General Manager SCC (left) making a statement)
(Le 30,000,000) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) years.
Manager Sandi urged all AML staff to be upright in the discharge of their duties as the ACC also has the mandate to look into the affairs of the private sector depending on the nature of the issues. He lamented that, there were so many discrepancies in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Reconciliation Report which signals that,
(r) Patrick Sandi, ACC Regional manager North, handing over materials to Michael Hallahan Speaking on the overview of the Commission and the offences as they relate to the work of AML, the Regional Manager Patrick Sandi said, the ACC came into being by an Act of Parliament in 2000 as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) highlighted corruption as one of the major causes of the decade long civil war. Mr Sandi noted that corruption (r) Patrick Sandi, ACC Regional managoffences such as offering advantage, er North, handing over materials to corrupt transaction with agents, protecMichael Hallahan tion of public revenge and property, the country was not getting the desired benefits from its endowed mineral and natural resources. Concluding, Manager Sandi solicited the support of AML staff in the fight against corruption as payment dealing with surface rent, crop compensations must be done fairly and transparently.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, the Bombali District Coordinator, Raymond Kamara maintained that the ACC wanted African Minerals to partner with her as there was every need for Sierra Leoneans to benefit from the mineral and natural resources of the country. Mr. Kamara emphasised that the company needed to look into its Human Resource aspect as there are public grumblings all over the Northern region about (l-r) Jemima Bangura, Edward S Kanu, of some AML staff extorting money from people in the name of providing gifts etc, are crucial to the AML, as AML at the meeting penalty for each of the offence is a fine them job. of not less than Thirty Million Leones In his contribution, the General Manager, Services and Support Coordination Centre
(SCC) Michael Hallahan, expressed satisfaction over the meeting held with the ACC. He assured the ACC of AML’s commitment to seeing Sierra Leone develop and benefit from its God-given resources.
Michael Hallahan emphasised that, AML pays its workers i.e. “stone pitching”, directly to avoid problems, but that the ACC was welcome at all times to provide assistance in making their systems and processes right. Meaningful contributions were also made by Jemima Bangura and Edward S. Kanu all of AML. The handing over of ACC public education materials to Michael Hallahan to be distributed to AML staff formed the high point of the meeting.
Source:Sierraexpressmedia.com
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October
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Apostolic Church, Virginia Explodes With Joy As Mr. and Mrs. Okoh (Osikani and Akos) Dedicate Their New Born Baby Girl Afrikan
Apostolic Church Praise And Worship Team
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Afrikan
There Is Potential In Your Seed
Post
GRACE FRONTIER
ly needed his help.
Grandpa had more to give and share because of the time he spent sowing seeds, in the bad times and the good times.
Your harvest will depend on the seeds you put in the ground, not only the quantity of seeds but the quality. Not forgetting the quality of soil; amount of water and nutrients in the soil. Garbage in equals garbage out. If you sow on a small tract of land do not expect any harvest in truck loads. No, that is against the principle of sowing and receiving.
Rev. Kwabby Adom-Fosu Email: pastorkaf@gmail.com.
Principles for Sustainable Increase.
“The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing “. Pro 20:4
My maternal grandfather was a seasoned farmer. He had four large cocoa farms. Each had cottages that housed the farm hands and their families. The day to day management of the farms was the responsibility of the head farm hands. They were given the freedom to plant food crops like maize, plantain, vegetables and rear animals to feed their families. My grandfather would go to the farms only when there were issues that the farm hands could not solve or at harvest times. At harvest times, the farm hands from the other locations would converge on one location and help harvest the crops. They would go with their friends and families.
My grandfather would go too, mostly with friends, people who had massively benefited from his generosity and wanted to show their gratitude. More so, there were others who would go help out, not because they just wanted to go but because they owed him money and did not have the means to pay in cash. As a result, they would offer their services in kind. There were also those who showed up to help in order to get high yielding seeds to start their own farms. Those harvest times were like festivals; they would work on the farm during the day and at night sing and dance.
The cocoa farms did not just appear. They were the result of the invested time and honest labor of my grandfather when he was young and he profited tremendously from it. The return on his investment did not benefit him only but spilled over to the greater community. My grandfather had many kids named after him because of the positive influence he had on those with whom he came into contact; he was a sympathetic man. He used his heart much more often than his head and society took notice. He rescued destinies; he put up with many gifted kids whose language he did not even understand so that they could get the opportunity to have formal education. He provided free boarding and lodging to many a weary traveler. He never turned away anybody who genuine-
In Proverbs 20:4 we read that the lazy person will not plow because of winter and therefore will beg in the harvest and have nothing. This suggests that you do not give only when you have stuff in abundance but you give out of your scarcity. No matter how poor you think you are, there may be others whose situations demand more attention than yours. Sow into those situations and your harvest will come from those who have more than you.
because like Rachel, he poured love into what did not come from his loins.
There is potential in your seed. In what vessels are you sowing?
If you have been unable to have a baby of your own, try adoption. If you do, don’t daily remind the child how cruel and stupid his/her parents are. And do not repeatedly let him/her know he/she is fortunate to be under your roof. Pour real love into the child and see what the merciful, covenant-keeping God will do.
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COLLEGE TIME 2011-2012 Guide
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Continue from pg.33
H. Essays: Write what you know. Do not pick an essay topic you know nothing about, because it will show. Pick a topic that interests you and write about it. As long as it comes from you heart, it will be good. But when you force yourself to like a topic, the essay comes out sounding strange and fake. Stay true to yourself and write a good heart felt essay, be The Prophet’s widow wore her single parenthood creative, be yourself. Admission officers have to like a badge. Like a snake oil sales person, she like- read thousands of these essays and this is the only ly worked the phone lines, looking for help from time they get to view an intimate side of you and friends and family. Consequently, everyone had your personality, so be daring ,unique, and interestgiven up on her and collection agencies were ing. buzzing her phone. In desperation she reached out to the Prophet Elisha. PEOPLE ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL: Elisha inquired of the widow, “What do you have at home?” She replied, “A little jug of oil.” The prophet instructed her to go and find empty vessels, borrowing as many vessels as she could, and pour into them. After pouring, the prophet instructed her further to sell some of the oil to defray her debts and then live off the rest. She poured and poured into the last vessel and the oil stayed. (2 Kings 4:17) There is potential in your seed.
In the ‘winter’ of life when everything is dried up, the trees have no green leaves and, the ground is dehydrated and patchy, you still have to prepare to sow. If all you have is a ham sandwich share it with somebody who has none. When you do that, you gain favor. My friends, no one can buy favor with money; favor is priceless. But when favor enters your The Lord Jesus had found Himself at a wedding camp, money will follow you; God rains His that ran out of wine. He just directed them to pour goodness on your endeavors. water into the empty vessels. As a result, they had enough wine to serve their guests. (John 2:1-8) The widow of Zarephath was in a ‘winter’ of a sort. There was a famine and everybody was What are you sowing? If you sow love, you receive having a bad time. She was an aged woman love. And if you have the privilege of sowing in who could not do much for herself, yet when into someone, let your love be genuine. Be sincere. the Prophet Elijah asked her for something to For whatever you sow you reap. (Gal. 6:7) eat she did not hesitate to generously share the little she had. Her ‘winter’ turned into a ‘sum- If you sow corn it can sprout in 4-5 days and it is mer’. She had no lack during the time of the ready to be harvested in 3-6 months. But if you famine. Why? Because she sowed in ‘winter’ plant bamboo it takes 60 days to sprout. And in into a good soil; a prophet of God. (1Kings ideal tropical climate it can grow 1-4 inches a day 17:9-20) there after. Bamboo can grow up to 98 feet, with a life span of about 120 years. As a result, find needy situations and sow into them. Consequently, you plant corn if you need a quick fix. However, you go for a bamboo if you need Rachel could not make a baby for her hussomething that will last a lifetime and even spill band, Jacob, no matter how she tried. In view over to generations unborn. of that, she gave her maidservant Bilhah to her husband so that she could have children After sowing, you still need God’s grace on your through her. Bilhah had two children by Jacob, seed to have bountiful harvest. The Spirit intoned Dan and Napthali. Rachel poured her love into through Apostle Paul “I have planted, Apollos the children and treated them like they were watered; but God gave the increase.” (1 Corin.3:6) her biological children. The love that Rachel sowed into the kids resulted in God opening A harvest is always dependent on seeds sown. That her womb to let her have kids of her own. She is the main reason why the rich become richer and named her first biological baby, Joseph; the the poor, poorer. The rich person keeps sowing and glory has come or the reproach is taken away. then keeps harvesting. The poor who accepts (Gen. 30:3-9; 22-24) his/her poverty or wants to live off society is not For years, John White of Dale City, VA and going to have much. Instead, if the poor person his wife could not have a baby of their own. decides to sow seeds even in the ‘winter’ of life John and his wife adopted a boy whose parhe/she will have a harvest, no matter how small. If ents had given him away right after birth and you put a single grain of corn in the ground it is not had lived in many foster homes. In John’s going to get a cob of corn but cobs of corn. There home, the boy was treated as his own, with all is potential in your seed, the potential is not the privileges of a biological son. Two years released until you put it in the ground, Have you later, God blessed John and his wife with sown a seed lately? Your harvest depends on it. Shimea, woman of God. The years of waiting were over. God gave John his own child
A.
See H, F, and C
B. If you attended university in a foreign country, and you want to receive your Masters or another higher level degree in the U.S, the first thing you need to do is get your foreign university transcript translated at the World Education Services, here is the website: http://www.wes.org/. They will evaluate your transcript ,transcribe it for you, and send it to the schools you are interested in.
C. If you are applying to business school, it is important to know that now, many business schools will accept test scores from either the GMAT or the GRE. The GRE is an exam you must take for entrance into most graduate schools. UVA Darden School, VCU, Wharton – they all take either the GMAT or GRE exam scores. This is new-in the pastyou could only apply to business schools with GMAT scores, but it looks like times are changing. Ideally, if you are applying to business school, why not take both exams and see which one you score higher on, and then submit the higher scores? That sounds like a good idea, no?!?!
I hope this mini-guide helps you. Good luck and remember to wear your sunglasses because your future looks bright ! By Amy Ansong
Afrikan
Culture and Arts - Profiles
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Highest Paid African Movies Actor Revealed
Majid and Genevieve Nnaji
Most African Movie actors of the eighties and nineties are either living in abject poverty and cannot take care of themselves. Some go through hell to get their fee after work done. From the marketing side of it, one might say the packaging of the artiste (actor) is poor but Majid Michel has made the difference. Starring in the series, “Things we do for love” alongside Jackie Appiah and main character Adjetey Annan (Pusher), Majid has risen to become one of Africa’s favorite. It was said that Genevieve Nnaji is the highest paid actress in Africa but as it is now, the sexy cute actress stands second when Majid leaves Ghana to shoot elsewhere. Sources reveal he takes $12,000 per
movie in Ghana and when he leaves the shores of Ghana charges $20,000.
Other African countries are all clamoring for his services, and the latest gist in town has it that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana sent down dignitaries to meet Abdul Salam to come over to their country with Majid Michel to help build their movie industry.
We wish him all the best.
Source: nigeriadailynews.com
Andre Dede Ayew's Girlfriend Gives Birth To A Baby Girl Ghana midfielder Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew has become a father for the first time. The Marseille winger’s girlfriend gave birth to a baby girl at a posh hospital in France two weeks ago, it has emerged.
believed to have been in France to support new father and mother. The name of the baby girl has not been made public yet.
Proud grandfather Abedi is said to be “over the moon” at becoming a grandfather again. His first son Rahim Ayew, who plays for Belgian side Lierse, has a baby boy who is said to be keen on football to join the long line of the Ayew famiThe identity of his French woman is not known yet but ly to take to the game. she is said to be ‘a very beautiful woman’, friends of the Ghanaian superstar have Source: ghanasoccernet.com told Ghanasoccernet.com
Dede shed tears of joy as he saw his 7lb 10oz daughter.The proud father announced the birth to his mother by telephone while his father legend Abedi Pele was
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Former Beauty Queen Takes Over Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant
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Inna Mariam Patty
Ghana has joined the list of countries that have past beauty queens owning or organizing some of their most cherished beauty contests as Miss Ghana 2004, Maryam Inna Patty, takes over the management and organization of the Miss Ghana Beauty Pageant from Media Whiz Kids.
The announcement was formally made at a press conference at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra on Monday.
Maryam Inna Patty, CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana, the new organizers of the pageant, commented that it was a dream come true for her and she was honoured for the unique opportunity to contribute her company’s ideas and experiences to the prestigious Miss Ghana brand.
Without giving away too much on the changes and format that the new Miss Ghana would assume in 2012, Inna said Ghanaians should look out for something fresh, glamorous and Ghanaian; assuring that the winner would be for Ghana, and chosen by Ghana.
She also addressed among other things, the issue about sponsorship, which according to previous media reports was responsible for the cancellation of the 2011 edition of Miss Ghana.
“To all stakeholders of this national pageant, especially our past and future sponsors, we urge you to join in this mutually beneficial partnership. To all Ghanaians, we would ask that you encourage your beautiful daughters, sisters, friends, granddaughters to participate, for without your support we cannot find that exceptionally beautiful lady with a purpose.”
Reginald Laryea, Chairman of Media Whiz Kids, also assured the press of his confidence in the capabilities of Inna and her team of young minds at Exclusive Events Ghana.
He added that he believed the new team would bring in the youthful ideas needed to revive and sustain the cherished Ghanaian beauty pageant.
He also explained that Media Whiz Kids had sold the franchise completely to Exclusive Events Ghana and that it wasn’t a lease like it did with Sparrow Productions previously. Miss Ghana 2012 will be launched in February 2012. Source: Dailyguideghana.com
Afrikan
What Does It Mean To Be Saved: A Study of John 3:1- 16 Foundations of the Christian Faith
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Introduction A little boy was asked if he wanted to serve God. The boy replied, "You bet. I’d rather go to heaven up high than go see the devil and fry." Just like that boy, everyone wants to someday get to heaven, but how do we get there?
People throughout the ages have been asking, what must I do to be right with God? Job in about 1700 B.C. asked in Job 9:2, "How can a man be righteous before God?" The Philippian jailer in Acts 16:30 asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" And the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18 asked Jesus, "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" John chapter 3 gives us the answer to this age-old question.
Verse 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
This verse tells us Nicodemus was "a ruler of the Jews" — apparently a member of the Sanhedrin or ruling council. This is probably his first direct encounter with Jesus although he may have seen Jesus ministering on the streets or in the temple at Jerusalem. Nicodemus is mentioned two other times in scripture. A little later we find Nicodemus defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin in John 7:51 when he said, "Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?" And then in John 19:38-40 we see Nicodemus openly taking a stand for Jesus as he helps Joseph of Arimathea prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Nixon suggests, "He seems to have been an earnest man attracted by the character and teaching of Jesus but afraid to allow this interest to be known by his fellow Pharisees."
Verse 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Nicodemus came to Jesus. If we want to be saved, we must come to Jesus. We cannot enter the kingdom of heaven any other way. There are not many roads to heaven. Buddha did not die for your sins. Mohammed is not the resurrection and the life. The Yin and the Yang does not fill us with the power of the Spirit. Eastern meditation does not guide us into all truth. The sayings of Confucius are not quick and powerful. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." He is the only way.
From verse 2 we can tell that Nicodemus had faith in Jesus. He says "We know You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." But a few verses later we’ll see how Nicodemus has difficulty accepting everything Jesus is telling him. Why is this? It’s because we can have faith in God, but not the right kind.
There are two kinds of faith. 1. We can intellectually believe. James 2:19 tells us, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble!" Obviously that’s not enough!
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2. We can believe in our heart. Romans 10:9 says, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
the spirit.
A peach is born from the tree. It could stay a peach for the rest of its life. But when it’s planted, it’s born again into a new peach tree. We can remain a sinner the rest of our life or we can become born again and reach our full potential in God.
Nicodemus had faith — he believed with his intellect, but he didn’t believe with his heart, not yet. Pearlman gives this definition of faith, "A sure trust and confidence that Christ died Verses 7-8 for my sins, that He loved me, and gave Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be Himself for me." born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is Verse 3 everyone who is born of the Spirit. Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born Jesus uses the metaphor of the wind to explain again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." how we are born again of the Spirit. The wind Now I think all of us here want to enter in the is used as a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. Notice it’s the wind (the Spirit) that kingdom of God. But Jesus says we must be born again. In order to be born again, the Bible does all the work. It’s not the trees that go chasing after the wind! Even though we have teaches there are three things we must do: to cooperate with God to accept what he offers us, he is the one who does all the work to save 1. Repent. Mark 1:15. "The time is fulfilled, us. and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one A man was once asked about what part he had of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to do and what part God had to do for him to for the remission of sins; and you shall receive be saved. He said, "I did my part for over 30 years running away from God as fast as ever the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ " Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your my sins could carry me. That was my part. And God took after me till he ran me down. sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the That was his part." Lord." Here are some of the things God does for us: 2. Believe. Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord We become the righteousness of God. 2 Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who your household." knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might 3. Confess. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, become the righteousness of God in Him." He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins We have forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." "In Him we have redemption through His Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." We are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Do you still wonder what this all means? Well "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, so did Nicodemus. all things have become new." Verses 4-6 We are sanctified in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:2, Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to born when he is old? Can he enter a second those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which and ours." is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is We are made right, cleansed, and redeemed. 1 born of the Spirit is spirit." Corinthians 1:30, "But of Him you are in Jesus explains that we have two births: one of Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-- and righteousness and sanctification and the flesh and one of the spirit. You have all redemption." been born into the flesh. But we also need to be born into the spirit. There is a spiritual side of us that we may not understand too well. It’s Verse 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How the side of us that longs to do what is right, can these things be?" that longs to be in God’s presence, and that longs to learn more about God. This is the part This is why I earlier said Nicodemus believed of us that must be made alive. We are born first in the flesh, and then we are born again in with his intellect, but not with his heart. He had only come part of the way to God. He had
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repented enough to come and visit Jesus and even to admire him, but he hadn’t repented enough to turn from his old way of looking at things. Often we do the same thing. Have you truly repented, or are you still hanging on to the old ways of doing things? Pearlman defined repentance as, "The true sorrow for sin, with sincere effort to forsake it."
Here are three stages of repentance with illustrations we can all identify with: driving down the freeway of life. .
Intellectually. We suddenly realize we are driving down the freeway of doing-it-my-own-way heading for the wrong destination. Emotionally. We are genuinely sorry for choosing this freeway. For all the wrong turns and the self-gratifying stops we took along the way.
Action. We turn off the freeway of doing-it-myown-way and get on the freeway of letting-Godhave-his-way.
Sometimes we reach the first stage of repentance and realize that we are living our life the wrong way. We slow down a little and think about it, but we continue heading down the same highway. We may reach the second stage of sorrow and guilt. We pull over to the side of the road and may even pray a remorseful prayer, but then we get back on the freeway and continue heading in the same direction. True repentance only comes when we get off the highway and change our direction and head down the King’s Highway — the King of Kings. Verse 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?"
Jesus asked Nicodemus his question, but he’s also asking us the same question: Are you a Christian and don’t you know these things? We are not talking about head knowledge here. Nicodemus was highly educated and knew the Hebrew scriptures backward and forward. What Jesus is talking about is heart knowledge. You may know a lot about the Bible. You may know a lot about the Christian religion. You may be able to debate theology with the finest scholars. But do you have spiritual understanding? Have you felt the Lord’s presence deep inside of you, and do you sense a transformation happening in your mind and your heart?
We must turn over everything to God. We must give him our body, our mind, our spirit. Romans 12:1-2 instructs us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Source: Hurtingchristian.org
GHANAIAN ACTRESS LYDIA FORSON TALKS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE ON THE SET OF KUNLE AFOLAYAN'S NEW FLICK PHONE SWAP October 2011
Afrikan Post
I cannot begin to describe how much fun I am having here working with a good cast and a crew that is truly professional. For years, I have maintained that if I ever do shoot a movie here in Nigeria, it should be of the same quality or even better than anything I have done in Ghana.
Africa. Even though I make more than the average actor, I think we don’t get our worth.
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tors like Jetta Amata, Teco Benson, Amaka Igwe, Ikechukwu Onyeka, Lancelot, Daniel Ademinokan and many others. I think like Kunle, they all pay attention to details.
Acting can be rewarding if you understand the business side of showbiz. I have a com- Now, what do you like and don’t like about plete team of people in my management and being a celebrity? that is how I am able to survive. I like the fact that I have the power to influence change and that when I talk people lisThe level of professionalism on this set is one It means I have a lot of people on my payroll but they build the brand that I am. So, if ten. And I am passionate about using this of the highest I have ever experienced. I was positively because I believe I have been you have people who wake up every day honestly worried coming on this set because called for a higher purpose and this is just the thinking of how to push your brand, you of my previous experience in Nigeria. I stepping stone. Everything else is what I conthought everyone would be hostile towards me know you are on the right track. sider occupational hazards. because I am not Nigerian. You were also in Kenya recently to work. Talking about occupational hazards, how But from the first day I arrived, everyone has Tell us a bit about it? come you are about the only Ghanaian been nothing but nice to me. I feel like we are Lydia Forson I was selected to be part of a workshop that actress that is not linked to any guy or one big family and I don’t know what I will celebrity? was to train selected film makers from do when it is time to leave. THE 2010 Africa Movie Award (AMAA) joint winner across Africa towards an international in the best actress in a leading role category, Lydia Oh well, I have had my fair share of bad movie. May be I need to take on some other jobs so Forson, is in Lagos on the invitation of the prolific press but I live a very simple and private life, we will bond properly and so my leaving will movie director, actor and producer, Kunle Afolayan. I had such a wonderful time interacting with which leaves very little room for people to just be like, ‘hey guys, I will be back soon film makers from all over and the height of talk about. But I think we have the power to than you expect.’ The Ghanaian-born actress, who is hailed variously as it was when the Oscars sent a delegation to control what people say about us. an epitome of black beauty — her natural beauty, dazSo, contrary to insinuations, you would really work with us. That was a real honour and I zling smile and deft moves laying credence to that fact love to do some across border work here? Some people enjoy a certain amount of attenknow I have made friends for life. — is here as a co-star in Afolayan’s new movie, Phone tion, and they get it. And I hardly respond to Swap and the A-list actress is excited about working on Of course, I will. I love Nigeria and I come bad press or rumour because it just fuels it You have kept the same good looks and Nigerian soil. the more. There is even a tale that I have here at least twice a year. Some of my closest have maintained this proudly Lydia shape found love in Nigeria. I won’t respond so I friends are in the industry here but, however, I for some time now; what is the secret “This is my first big experience and professional one at am extremely selective about what projects I don’t fuel it. behind this black beauty? that, on a movie set in Nigeria and I am excited to be chose to be part of. here,” she said on arrival in Lagos. But what I know is that I have found love in Really? Na wah ooo, like you say here. Nigeria as a country and I love my friends I wanted my entrance into Nollywood to be as Anyway, I work out every day and I don’t Lydia, described roundly as dependable, rode on the here. As for marriage, you will be the first to drink or smoke. Water is the most you will big as it was in Ghana and I knew my fans back of Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s master piece, know the day I find the guy who has my rib. see me drink. here had very high expectation of me that I ‘Perfect Picture’ to emerge one of Africa’s leading had to meet. This forced me to be very careful actresses. There is so much of social commentary that about what projects to be a part of and I think But this has been such a busy year and I you engage in on Facebook and Twitter. Are have been traveling so much that I think I I have finally found it. An alumnus of the University of Ghana, Lydia, who you planning to combine social work with may have broken a lot of rules, which my hails from Mankessim but was born in Obuasi in acting in the near future? I have been following Kunle Afolayan’s works trainer is making me pay dearly for. Ghana, started out as a professional actor a little near a and I am happy that I have the opportunity to decade ago. That is my calling. Acting is my passion and work with him. We are even both AMAA lau- What Nigerian food are you fond of now? the two come together to fulfill my destiny. I Have you been able to mix and interact with reates; so; it is a good feeling. But through a dint of hard work and perseverance, she the people? Do they affirm your perception have already started work on my NGO and has risen to become one of those few actresses that a have on many occasions lent my voice and Talking about AMAA, most people still don’t about Nigerians? director would want to hang a story on and be sure that know that you won the award for Africa’s support to many campaigns. she will deftly live out her character. I think I love eba with okro or draw soup leading actress in 2010? I actually combine both and that is because I and ofada rice. I even go out to buy it in What brings you to Nigeria? want to reach out to as many people in need Nigerian restaurants in Ghana. Well, I guess I am so passionate about what I as possible. I want to be the best I can be. I do that my only focus is my work. I do tell I am working on the movie titled, ‘Phone Swap’ with people about my AMAA win when I think it is I have interacted with so many people since want to completely exhaust my full potential the internationally acclaimed director, Kunle Afolayan. necessary, but I think I am a little shy to just and I want to represent Africa from Africa. I came here, especially with my co-actor, Nse Ikpe Etim. I think Nse and I were sepablurt it out to everyone I meet. This is my first major work on the Nigerian soil but it is rated at birth and it is something I intend to Source: Nigeriafilms.com not the first I am doing. I have been here once to work Usually, I let people find out. But now that ask my mother about. but it was very brief and it was not well planned. But you’ve mentioned it, I will try and say it more this is well planned and professional. often and even add those I won after AMAA, But generally, I think Nigerians are wonderful people and I have felt so much love in including the nominations (loud laughter). I knew months ahead of the shoot and have been workthe short time I have been here. I love ing towards it. So, I will say it is my first major movie How much is Lydia the actress worth in her Nigeria. in Nigeria. bank account and do you consider acting a I have met some of the best people in the rewarding profession? What is the experience so far on the set of Phone world who are from Nigeria and I look forSwap? Did the crew meet your expectation? ward to working with more Nigerian direcI always say that actors are underpaid in
Afrikan Post
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African Post
Nigeria Player Blame TB Joshua For Failure To Qualify For Cup Of Nations
Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie has blamed the prediction of Prophet TB Joshua for Nigeria’s failure to qualify for next “We thought we could see him and see how he could overturn the negative prediction but the officials came with year’s Nations Cup. another prophet who prayed for us and told us that all was Nigeria were forced to a 2-2 draw Saturday afternoon in Abuja to well. finish second in Group B with 11 points, three points behind Syli “But in all we did not do our own bit of the job well as Stars. players and we are not happy that we won’t play at the forthcoming Nations Cup.” In a chat with reporters at the reception hall of the Transcorp Hilton shortly after the match, Osaze agreed that he did not play Speaking in same vein, Samsunspor striker Ekhigo Ehiosun to expectations in the match but said the prediction of Prophet said the players were very much annoyed with themselves Joshua also put pressure on the team. for not getting the ticket to the Nations Cup. “Yes, I would say I am sorry to Nigerians for not playing according to expectation and I believe I did not play well in the match. Source: Ghanasoccernet But the prediction of Prophet TB Joshua really affected us.
USA National Goalie Bill Hamid Plays Leading Role In Dc Utd Benefit Supporting Education In Sierra Leone
By: SEM Contributor on October 14, 2011.
On October 22, 2011, Sierra Leonean soccer enthusiasts and others elated to learn about Bill Hamid’s successful selection to the USA national soccer team will have an opportunity to watch the soccer star in action, while supporting a worthy cause for Sierra Leone. The event is a USA Major League Soccer (MLS) match between D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City (SKC) scheduled to be held at the historic, forty five thousand seating capacity Robert F Kennedy (RFK) Memorial Stadium in Washington D.C.
Bill Hamid, the offspring of Sierra Leonean parents, made his professional USA Major League Soccer debut in 2010 at the age of 19 years. With a win by his team D.C. United on that fateful day May 5, 2010 he holds the record as the youngest goalkeeper in MLS’s history to win a regular season game. At the October 22nd event, Sierra Leonean soccer fans will get an opportunity to meet Bill in person after the game. A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales for the match will go towards promoting children’s education in Sierra Leone, a cause supported by the soccer celebrity.
The benefit event is a culmination of months of ongoing negotiations between Save Sierra Leone Foundation’s executive member Coach Sully Hamid and the management of D.C. United. Coach Hamid (a.k.a. Passadie), the proud father of the soccer star and quite arguably his number one fan, is the owner of “Premier Athletics Club” a very successful Virginia based soccer training establishment. Comparable to his passion for soccer – Coach Hamid played seven years of professional soccer
with the Queenspark Rangers (QPR) of the English Premier League – he is one of those rare breed of Sierra Leoneans, adorned with an unparalleled and almost religious like passion for helping others. To say that Coach Hamid is extremely devoted towards enhancing lives in Sierra Leone is an understatement, because he is all about that and so much more. The admirable fact that his son, Bill Hamid has chosen to actively embrace a similar path lends credence to the old African adage that “the coconut does not fall far from the tree.”
Although Bill Hamid is the first entrant amongst soccer players of Sierra Leonean origins to go into the USA national soccer team, USA Major League soccer has embraced other Sierra Leonean soccer talents in recent years. Those attending the D.C. United and SKC match will also have an opportunity to meet the gifted Sierra Leonean striker Kei Ansu Kamara who plays professionally for SKC and leads SKC with nine goals and four assists this season. Kei will probably attempt to do what he does best as the lead scorer at SKC; attempt to score goals by striking power shots towards goalkeeper Bill Hamid’s net. There is also the talented Sierra Leonean midfielder Michael Lahoud who started his professional MLS career in 2009 and currently plays for California based, Chivas USA.
The D.C. United benefit event is the start of a process utilizing Save Sierra Leone Foundation (SSLF) as a platform to foster collaboration amongst leading Sierra Leonean athletes in the USA to collectively use their sports celebrity status to create awareness for noteworthy causes benefiting Sierra Leone. Other key parties providing support activities to SSLF on this project include the Embassy of Sierra Leone, jour-
nalist Dennis Kabatto and singer and multimedia artist Giileh Scholz, founder of the Sierra Leone Association of Musicians and Artist (SLAAM). Efforts to reach the younger generation through the popular social media outlets are being pioneered by Yolanda Thompson SSLF Vice President, and Emma Fofanah a current George Washington University MBA candidate.
To support the event, please visit www.savesierraleonefoundation.org where you will be able to access a D.C. United web link that allows you to purchase tickets for the event at a discounted price. Join us in witnessing the Bill Hamid – Kei Kamara faceoff and take the opportunity to get to meet these gifted soccer players in person.
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Kevin-Prince Boateng Holds 'Good' Meeting With Ghana FA Boss
Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi has confirmed to Goal.com that a meeting was held between himself and Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to iron out differences between both parties.
The German-born Ghanaian has had his national career in doubt after a series of what locals termed a “selection of games” that suited him. The development has not gone down well with Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic, who has placed the player in his black book for now.
However, after a meeting with the 24-year-old in his Milan base alongside assistant Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah, the FA boss says that all is well.
“Yes, we had a good meeting,” Nyantakyi told Goal.com.
Although the football administrator fell short of revealing details of the meeting, Goal.com understands that the GFA officials will be meeting with the coach to offer Boateng some ‘clemency’ as all parties seek to close this negative chapter.
Source: Goal.com
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October 2011
‘It’s War On Dec 3’
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Pu b lis h ed By Brig h t Ho u s e Pro d u ct io n s Man agin g Ed it or G eorge Br ight- A bu Email:editor @af r ikanpos t.com A gn es Ow u s u - Brigh t CEO
Amy Ansong-
H ar dcopy/p r int copy editor ) Former two-time IBF Bantamweight World Champion Joseph King Kong Agbeko has declared war on IBF and WBC Silver Bantamweight Champion Abner Mares.
He said the world would witness an explosive, no-holds-barred contest when he clashes with the world champion in a rematch on December 3, 2011.
“I am not looking for a knockout on Dec. 3; I’m looking forward to a war.”
Mares controversially defeated Agbeko by a majority decision in a thrilling clash for the International Boxing Federation bantamweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last
Abner Mares and Joseph King Kong
August. Referee Russell Mora repeatedly “I’m really happy and ready to fight on Dec. warned Mares for low blows without taking a 3. Right after the first fight, I was asked if I point, compelling many followers of the game, had a problem with a rematch – I said ‘no.’ especially Ghanaians, to cry foul. “I want to fight him again because he “There will be no more low blows this time deserves it. He’s a great champion. If this is because the world is watching. I will prove to what the people want we’ll give it to them. the world that I deserved to win the last fight and I will be victorious on Dec. 3,” Agbeko “I’m going to prove why I’m the champion said at a widely-attended press conference on come Dec. 3. I’m going to go for a knockout. Saturday to officially announce the highly Last time I prepared for 12 rounds, but this anticipated rematch. time I have something to prove: I want to prove that I am the champion. I want to knock He disclosed that he still respects Abner Mares him out. “ because “at the end of the day we are both warriors and we do our job”. Source: Peacefmonline.com
Michael Essien - Bitter-Sweet Month World Champion Abner Mares on his part said,
Hello everyone, September 2011 is a month I will never forget because it represents a month where things were going well on the injury front. The medical team are doing a great job in helping me come back to full fitness and its going well. At the same time it is a month when one of the people I
would have loved to share the comeback good news with passed away so tragically and suddenly. Alhaji Sly Ibrahim Tetteh – the man who discovered and mentored me from the age of 14 – died suddenly in Ghana. It was such a shock I am still recovering from the sudden loss and the emptiness that tends to follow such incidents. I had just got to our Cobham training ground on the fateful September day for my usual physio sessions when the news broke. I could not believe that someone as fit and strong like Sly could die suddenly. I was in so much shock that I could not hold back the tears. I sobbed uncontrollably to the extent that the physios called off the session. The simplest of things like driving were so difficult; I had to be driven home. I was confused and just couldn’t work out that someone as strong and ‘healthy’ as Sly will suddenly drop and will not be seen or heard anymore. He was fine as far as we knew and was playing football with friends when he suddenly col-
lapsed and died on the pitch. Sly Tetteh didn’t just discover me but was also my mentor, father, brother and very close friend. I am not the only one who was discovered by Sly Tetteh – Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, John Pantsil to name but a few – were all discovered by him. He nurtured us and taught us how to be footballers as well as men. I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that Sly Tetteh will not be here to witness my latest comeback. Typically he would have sent me a message of ‘welcome back from injury’ and would have phoned after my first game to see how I was doing. I will miss him dearly and my first game back will definitely be dedicated to him. I am working hard to be back so I can play for Sly and in his memory. On a positive note I am working hard to be back and I want to thank you all for your best wishes and kind messages. The warm words keep me going and I’m grateful for all your support.
Source:Essien/ChelseaFC.com
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