THE
The New GhaNaiaN | 1 | FOCUSiNG MORe ON The Keeping Ghanaians InCOMMUNiTY Touch
NEW GHANAIAN
10 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY (2001 - 2011) VOLUME 11 No. 5 FREE
Students Work to Bring Adoma ofori to U.S. For Brain Surgery
BEAuTY OF THE MONTH
By Julia ferrante
LewiSBURG, Pa. - Kodjo Karikari has spent the past two years learning about the intricacies of the brain at Bucknell University, as he reaches for his dream of becoming a doctor. a native of Ghana, Karikari came to the United States several years ago to pursue educational opportunities with the hope of returning to his home country one day to give back. Karikari, a neuroscience major who is slated to graduate May 22, has placed those aspirations on hold, however, as he seeks to help his 17-year-old sister, akua adoma Ofori, who was diagnosed late last year with a brain tumor. Ofori, who lives in Ghana, has a stage-3 pilocytic astrocytoma and low-grade glioma on her thalamus — the control center of the brain. She began to experience symptoms including severe headaches, disorientation and memory loss in October. She now is bedridden and unable to control her own basic movements or to complete normal daily tasks. "The tumor is putting a lot of pressure on her brain," Karikari said. "She has a shunt in the brain to drain fluid caused by the tumor. But as the tumor grows,
akua adoma ofori - noW it hinders other areas and might cause destruction of other regions of the brain. She also has developed diabetes and thyroid issues as a side effect of her medications." Life-SaVing SurgerY although the tumor is operable, the hospitals in Ghana's capital city, accra, where Ofori is being treated, do not have the equipment or facilities to perform the life-saving surgery she needs. Karikari,
akua adoma ofori - Before a Bucknell Community College Scholar who transferred from harrisburg area Community College in 2008, now is looking to his adopted community for help in bringing Ofori to the United States for treatment. his family is depending on him to find a hospital that will take on Ofori's surgery and long-term treatment as a charity case and to raise the needed Cont’d on page 4
Ghanaian Association of Baltimore Donates to the Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden T he Ghanaian association of Baltimore (GaB) donated a bench worth over one thousand dollars ($1000.00) to the Coretta Scott King’s Memorial Garden at Sojourner- Douglass College, edgewater, Maryland. On april 28,
2011, the GaB was invited to attend the unveiling ceremony. This invitation was made possible by the Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. committee, honorable Carl O. Snowden, who is also the Director, Office for Civil Rights, and
Office of the Maryland Attorney General. Coretta Scott King was an influential figure in the twenty-first century. She had become the first lady of the Civil Rights
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HEALTH WATCH Melanoma
Melanoma is a cancer that develops in melanocytes, the pigment cells present in the skin. It can be more serious than the other forms of skin cancer because it may spread to other parts of the body (metastasize) and cause serious illness and death. About 50,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the United States every year. Because most melanomas occur on the skin where they can be seen, patients themselves are often the first to detect many melanomas. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial. Caught early, most melanomas can be cured with relatively minor surgery. This article is written from the standpoint of the patient. In other words, instead of describing the disease in exhaustive detail, I will try to help answer the questions: "How do I know if I have melanoma?" and "Should I should be checked for it?" Spots on the skin Guideline # 1: Nobody can diagnose him- or herself. If you see a spot that looks as though it is new or changing, show it to a doctor. When it comes to spots on the skin, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Everybody gets spots on their skin. The older we are, the more spots we have. Some of these are freckles, others are moles, and still others are made up of collections of tissue, such as blood vessels or pigment cells. Most of these spots are benign. That means they are neither cancerous nor on the way to becoming cancerous. Moles Guideline # 2: The vast majority of moles stay as moles and do not turn into anything else.
Some people are born with moles (the medical name is "nevus" plural "nevi"). Almost everyone develops them, starting in childhood. On the average, people have about 25 moles, though some have fewer and others many more. Moles may be flat or raised, and they may range in color from tan to light brown to black. What does melanoma look like? What are the symptoms and signs? Guideline # 3: A changing spot may be a problem, but not every change is a problem. A mole may appear and then get bigger or become raised but still be only a mole. Most public health information about melanoma stresses the so-called ABCDs: Asymmetry: One half of the mole is different from the other half. Border irregularity: The spot has borders which are not smooth and regular but uneven or notched. Color: The spot has several colors in an irregular pattern or is a very different color than the rest of your moles. Diameter: The spot is larger than the size of a pencil eraser. These guidelines are somewhat helpful, but the problem is that many normal moles are not completely symmetrical in their shape or color. This means that many spots, which seem to have one or more of the ABCDs, are in fact just ordinary moles and not melanomas. Additionally, some melanomas do not fit this description but may still be spotted by your dermatologist. What if the skin changes are rapid or dramatic? Guideline # 4: The more rapid and dramatic the change, the less serious the problem. When changes such as pain, swelling,
funds to support that treatment. Karikari, 23, and his mother, Juliana Oates, are permanent residents of the United States, but Oates does not have health insurance and cannot afford the operation or aftercare for her daughter. The family likely could cover the expense of flying Ofori and her mother, who has returned to Ghana to care for Ofori, to the United States, Karikari said. Spaghetti dinner fundraiser Karikari is working with Bucknell International Student Services, the Bucknell African Students Association and the Bucknell University Student Transfer Association as well as several community members to raise awareness and funds for Ofori's care through the Walk On Foundation. The student groups had raised about $8,000 as of May 9 through the Walk On Foundation and a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at the Lewisburg Alliance Family Life Center May 7, said Paula Myers, assistant dean of students and director of International Student Services, who is helping to coordinate fundraising efforts. The Alliance church contributed about $1,000 of that amount. The student groups plan to work with another church for a second fundraising dinner using leftover food donations. Anyone wishing to make a donation of any kind may contact Myers at
paula.myers@bucknell.edu. Monetary donations will be accepted through the Walk On Foundation website or by mailing a check to Walk On Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 62, Mifflinburg, PA 17844. The group also is accepting recommendations of medical professionals and hospitals in the United States that might agree to treat Ofori. Depending on others Karikari is grateful for the support of his fellow students and the community, he said. But as the oldest son of a single mother, he is more or less the patriarch of the family, and having to depend on others for help has not been easy for him. "If I could make this happen, this would be the greatest achievement of my life," Karikari said. "I would be willing to do anything for my sister to return her back to health and to make sure my family is well and situated. Time is really not on our side. If I could do the surgery myself with the materials and knowledge I have, I would. But I have to rely on other people to help my sister." Before her diagnosis, Ofori was attending a secondary school in Ghana with plans to attend college in the United States and work toward a master's degree, Karikari said. "She's really funny, lively and energetic and full of dreams and aspirations," he said.
Editorial Celebrating life’s hallmarks, one vaguely remembers the naming ceremony, or as we like to call it, our own ‘outdooring’ as a baby. Some recall the first days in school and if it was an unpleasant experience, we shudder at the thought of being sent away from the loving safe haven of our parent’s arms. Most of us, however, recall how proud of us our parents were when we graduated from high school and higher education institutions; and this month has been filled with joyous occassions. Parents generally like to speak well (brag) about their kids, parents beam with pride when their offspring are congratulated. It is in this same vain that we commend all the young Africans, especially Ghanaians, who have successfully matriculated from institutions of higher learning. It has been a challenging journey and the pursuit of knowledge for betterment of self is always commendable. Take a minute, pat yourself on the back and then realize that another chapter of our life has only just begun. More than ever we need your insight, hard work, dedication and ingenuity to solve today’s problems. From wealth disparity, the rising cost of living, fewer jobs and opportunities for employment, to a more globalized, technologically savvy world, your expertise is needed more than ever before. Unconventional ideas that employ Internet and social media tools to spread the word, traditional principles of integrity, character and commitment are keys to success. And in being successful, do not forget to give back. This month’s installment features a call for donations to help Adoma Ofori, a young beautiful teenage girl in Ghana who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. With today’s technology this should not be a fatal illness and with your support we can help the Ofori family afford much needed surgery at a reputable hospital in the United States. Please visit The Walk On Foundation at www.walkonfoundation. com and choose the page for ADOMA with your monetary donations and prayers. We will be organizing summer events in partnership with community organizations to help raise awareness about ADOMA’s situation. For inquiries on how you can get involved email us at www.tngeditor@gmail.com . You may find The New Ghanaian on Facebook or on twitter @tngnews. For those who have been a blessing to your families and loved ones, big congratulations on your scholastic achievements! The road however, doesn’t end here. Push forward and strive in making a positive difference and making us all proud. or even bleeding come on rapidly, within a day or two, they are likely to be caused by minor trauma, often a kind you don't remember (like scratching the spot in your sleep). If a spot changes rapidly and then goes back to the way it was within a couple of weeks, or falls off altogether, it is not likely to represent anything serious. Keep in mind that what may seem like the sudden appearance of a spot or a rapid change in its appearance may just High stakes Karikari has tried to explain to his family what is happening with his sister's illness without scaring them, but the reality is his sister will die without the operation, and she could have complications. "Where the tumor is located has vital tissue," Karikari said. "The quality of life she will get after the surgery rests on how well the surgery goes." Ofori's condition is worsening. "You can hear by the sound of her voice that she is slowly deteriorating, which is saddening," he said. "She knows what's going on, and she is fighting really hard. I just wish her fighting would not be in vain." Karikari, who now volunteers at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg and eventually wants to become a pediatric oncologist, orthopedic surgeon or general surgeon, said facing his sister's illness has made him more determined than ever to meet his goals. But he wants to share his success with his family. "As the first person in my family graduating from college, I would be extremely happy if my family was there to share in the moment, because that moment belongs to us all."
mean that something (or someone) has prompted you to look at an old spot for the first time. Nevertheless, this would be a good time to say once again: Nobody can diagnose him- or herself. If you see a spot that looks as though it is new or changing, show it to a doctor. When it comes to spots on the skin, it is always better to Cont’d on page 9
PUBLISHER: Joseph “Sonny” Vanderpuye MANAGING EDITOR: Emmanuel A. Gamor SENIOR STAFF WRITER: EDWIN JANNEY CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Muriel Vanderpuye Eddie Ekuban (FASHION) CONTRIBUTORS: Ato Ulzen-Appiah, Jemila Abdulai, Etse Sikanku, Nii Ayertey Aryeh, Rev. C. John Thompson-Quartey, GRAPHIC DESIGNING: Sonny Vanderpuye The New Ghanaian is a monthly publication of MEDIA AFRIKA, LLC, 5515 CHEROKEE AVENUE SUITE 100, ALEXANDRIA, VA. 22312 To advertise or for more info call: 703.901.4277 | 571.435.4576 or send your emails to: tngeditor@gmail.com
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Faith & Community
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BIRTHDAY WISHES
Happy 65th Birthday Mr. Stephen Osei
Happy 60th Birthday Ms. Esther Dates
Happy 50th Birthday Ms. Gladys Gyamfuaah
God’s blessings be upon you, As you continue through life Celebrating yet another year, On this journey with Christ And as you commit each day, Into the hands of the Lord May you know His inner peace, And love and grace much more © By M.S.Lowndes
8 Secrets About Your Debit Card by Dana Dratch
it's neat, plastic and goes everywhere. But your debit card may still be keeping a few secrets. a hybrid of cash, checks and credit cards, it's an entirely different species with its own strengths and weaknesses. M a k i n g i t e ve n m o r e enigmatic, not even all debit cards play by the same rules. Depending on the issuer, the brand and your own banking history, debit cards can have vastly different r ules and protections. here are eight things about your debit card that you may not know: 1. it may have fraud and theft protection. Some debit cards issuers offer zero-liability protection against fraud and theft. what you may not know is that to reap those benefits, you may have to use the card with a signature instead of a PiN, says Linda Sherry, director of national priorities for Consumer action, a national consumer education and advocacy group based in San Francisco. Federal law limits personal liability for unauthoriz ed transactions to $50 for credit cards, but offers more limited fraud protection for debit cards. how to protect yourself: Find out if your bank offers theft and fraud protection. Get specific. Under what circumstances is it honored? how do you have to use the card? what's your
timetable for reporting the loss? "Most of these promises have limits and asterisks," says ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director with U.S. Public interest Research Groups. as for disputed funds, some banks will put them back in your account, provisionally, while they investigate. Others will wait until their inquiries are completed. "we still like to tell people if they're ordering things online or over the phone, they might want to use a credit card because they have superior charge-back protection," says Sherry. "when something goes wrong with a credit card, you're not out the money." 2. It can help you find lost receipts. If you can't find the receipt for that phone charger you bought last month, your debit card might be able to help, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation. Some issuers offer a service where "they'll research it and email it to you," he says. "it's a nice feature." Not all institutions handle the request the same way. Some charge a minimal fee. Some deliver the receipt by mail, rather than email, which takes longer. with some, it may not be the actual receipt, but a record of the purchase with the amount, item and date. But if the receipt is something you
need, this is at least another option. Searching for extra money instead? a few institutions are still offering rewards programs for debit card users. and some banks and credit unions have optional savings programs to round up purchases and bank the difference or deposit a set amount, such as $1, to savings every time you use the card. 3. You may have a daily spending limit. You probably know your daily aTM limit by heart. But did you know you likely have a daily debit card spending limit, too? "That's pretty common," says Nessa Feddis, vice president and senior counsel for the american Bankers association. The actual limit "may depend on the customer, the balance and the usual activity," she says. if you have a limit, your institution will cap de bit spending once you hit the magic number, no matter how much is in the account. So if you're planning to use your debit card for high-dollar purchases, it pays to find out what that limit is, says Sherry. and depending on what you learn, you may have to either spread out your purchases or make other plans. if you're making a one-time large purchase, you can also call Cont’d on page 8
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At Sarah Abena Osei’s 40th Birthday
Sarah Abena Osei
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the institution and ask them to override the limit, says Feddis. "They want you to use the card," she says. "If you've got enough money, there's probably not a problem." 4. Your card likes routine. Your debit card might not work if you deviate from your normal patterns. That's because institutions will often cut off a card if they notice atypical usage. So if you usually shop in New York and you're suddenly springing for cappuccinos in Seattle, your issuer might refuse the transaction. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this one. With some institutions you can let the bank or credit union know you plan to use the card on the road and they will put a "travel alert" on your account, says Michelle Dosher, managing editor
for consumer publications for the Credit Union National Association. But that may not always work with every institution, says Feddis. It's often "easier to call the bank or send them an email if you've been turned down," she says. And just in case, it's always good to have a backup. 5. Transactions may not deduct in preferred order. Debit cards are like cash in some ways. But in others, they can be a completely different animal. "People might think that when they use their debit card that transactions will come out of their account in the same order (in which) they are using their card," says Rebecca Borne, senior policy counsel for the Center for Responsible Lending. "What a lot of banks are doing is reordering those debit card transactions before they come out." The model of processing larger
purchases first, favored by some institutions, also produces maximum fees if a customer overdraws an account, she says. You have no control over the order in which your bank processes daily transactions. But you can sidestep fees by not opting into fee-based overdraft protection programs, Borne says. If you don't opt in, when your balance hits zero, the card stops working. And if you've already signed up for fee-based overdraft protection, you can cancel it just as easily. 6. The balance may be smaller than it appears. One not-so-great fact about debit cards: Transactions don't always show up immediately. So there's your "balance" and your "real balance." Often with signature-based purchases (the ones that don't involve your PIN to complete the transaction), the money can
take up to a few days before it exits your account, says Dosher. The solution: Keep track of your true balance via receipts and a checkbook, ledger or even a cheap notebook. And yes, there's an app for that -- for your iPhone or Android system. Also check out the online banking services offered by your bank or credit union, Dosher says. But online doesn't necessarily mean "real time." With some institutions, there can be a delay, even with online banking, before some transactions appear on your account records. Returning a debit card purchase? You may have to wait for your money. "Typically, it's not more than a week, and as little as a day," says Butler. "You really have to ask each retailer because it varies," he says. "And it varies depending Cont’d on page 9
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on which bank you're using and which bank the retailer is using." So if money is tight -- and you suspect those new jeans will be, too -- using cash or credit might be smarter. 7. It could tap your savings account. At many banks and credit unions, one option for low-cost overdraft protection involves linking the checking account to Cont’d from 4
be safe than sorry. What are the causes and risk factors for melanoma? Guideline # 5: Individual sunburns do raise your risk of melanoma. However, slow daily sun exposure, even without burning, may also substantially raise your risk of skin cancer. Factors that raise your risk for melanoma include: Caucasian (white) ancestry Fair skin, light hair, and light-colored eyes A history of intense, intermittent sun exposure, especially in childhood Many (more than 100) moles Large, irregular, or "funny looking" moles Close blood relatives -- parents, siblings, and children -- with melanoma The presence of close (first-degree) family with melanoma is a high risk factor, although looking at all of melanoma, only 10% of cases run in families. How do I estimate my level of risk for melanoma? The best way to know your risk level is to have a dermatologist perform a full body examination. That way you will find out whether the spots you have are moles and, if so, whether they are "funny looking" in the medical sense. The medical term for such moles is "atypical." This is a somewhat confusing term, because among other things the criteria for defining it are not clear, and it's not certain that an atypical mole is necessarily precancerous. If you have such moles, your doctor may do a biopsy
a savings account. The problem for consumers: When the two accounts are linked, anyone with access to the debit card can drain them both, Sherry says. While the upside is cheaper overdraft protection, "the downside is getting your savings wiped out, as well as your checking account, if anyone else gets your card," she says. Her advice: If you want to use this form of overdraft protection, keep the bulk of your savings in a third account
that's not linked to anything. Link your checking account only to a savings account that holds just enough money to be an overdraft bumper. 8. You might have another option. Wish you could ditch the debit and go back to the old ATM card? What you might not know: That's still an option at a lot of banks and credit unions. If you just want to use your card to withdraw cash from an ATM, call your
bank or credit union and find out if they offer ATM cards. One caveat: ATM cards can still be used to purchase gas or merchandise at some locations, says Feddis. "An ATM card is a debit card, but it's basically PIN-only," she says. "You can use it at a gas station or any place where they take a PIN.
in order to counsel you about the need for surveillance or further testing. Sometimes, you learn at a routine skin evaluation that you do not necessarily need annual routine checkups. In other situations, your doctor may recommend regular checks at six-month or yearly intervals. What are the types of melanoma? The main types of melanoma are: Superficial spreading melanoma: This type accounts for about 70% of all cases of melanoma. The most common locations are the legs of women and the backs of men, and they occur most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50. (Note: Melanomas can occur in other locations and at other ages as well.) These melanomas are often barely raised and have a variety of colors. Such melanomas evolve over one to five years and can be readily caught at an early stage if they are detected and removed. Nodular melanoma: About 20% of melanomas begin as deeper, blue-black to purplish lumps. They may evolve faster and may also be more likely to spread. Lentigo maligna: Unlike other forms of melanoma, lentigo maligna tends to occur on places like the face, which are exposed to the sun constantly rather than intermittently. Lentigo maligna looks like a large, irregularly shaped or colored freckle and develops slowly. It may take many years to evolve into a more dangerous melanoma. There are also other rarer forms of melanoma that may occur, for example, under the nails, on the palms and soles, in the eye, or sometimes even inside the body.
How is melanoma diagnosed? Most doctors diagnose melanoma by examining the spot causing concern and doing a biopsy. A skin biopsy refers to removing all or part of the skin spot under local anesthesia and sending the specimen to a pathologist for analysis. The biopsy report may show any of the following: a totally benign condition requiring no further treatment, such as a regular mole; an atypical mole which, depending on the judgment of the doctor and the pathologist, may need a conservative removal (taking off a little bit of normal skin all around just to make sure that the spot is completely out); or a melanoma requiring surgery. Some doctors are skilled in a clinical technique called e piluminescence microscopy (also called dermatoscopy). They cover a suspicious spot with oil and examine it with a brightly lit magnifying instrument. The gold standard for a solid diagnosis, however, remains a skin biopsy. How do doctors deter mine the prognosis (outlook) of a melanoma? T he most useful criterion for determining prognosis is tumor thickness. Thin melanomas, those measuring less than 1 millimeter, have excellent cure rates. The thicker the melanoma, the less optimistic the prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential. What is the treatment for melanoma? In general, melanoma is treated by surgery alone. Doctors have learned that surgery does not need to be as extensive as was thought years ago. When treating many early melanomas, for instance, surgeons only remove 1 centimeter
(less than ½ inch) of the normal tissue around the melanoma. Deeper and more advanced cancers may need more extensive surgery. Depending on various considerations (tumor thickness, body location, age, etc.), the removal of nearby lymph glands may be recommended. For advanced disease, such as when the melanoma has spread to other parts of the body, treatments like immunotherapy are sometimes recommended. Cont’d from 1
Movement, following the tragic death of her husband; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. King worked tirelessly to expand the social justice agenda. Some years later, after her death, the MLK committee, the Dr. King Jr. breakfast committee and the Office of the Maryland Attorney General launched an effort to create the first and only memorial to Mrs. King in the state of Maryland. The Coretta Scott King Memorial is located on the Southern Maryland campus of Sojourner-Douglass College. The Keynote address was delivered by the youngest daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. King, the Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King who stressed on service to humanity and challenge each and every one in the audience to sacrifice for a good course. Special guest attending the event included: Congressman Steny Hoyer, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, United States District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr., MD Court of Appeals Chief Cont’d on page 12
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Emmanuel “Koora” Tuffour & Ajo Cobblah’s Outdooring
Koora, Ajo and Baby Tia
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Judge Robert Bell, and Dr. Charlestine R. Fairley, State Attorney Greg Berstein, Congressman John Sarbanes, Councilman Daryl Jones, Councilman Jerry Walker, and President of Sojourner-Douglass College, Dr. Charles W. Simmons, among others. Wall of Donor: The Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden has a fountain, five benches and six bronze plaques that provide quotations from Mrs. King that were made possible en-part because of the generous contributions by the following individuals and organizations. Maryland Attorney General Douglass F. Gansler,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., committee Ghanaian Association of Baltimore, Myra Grand Chapter, order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall Affiliation, Jurisdiction of Maryland, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Councilman Daryl Jones, Elizabeth Barrett, Chief Joseph S. Johnson, Dr. King, Jr. Breakfast Committee, and Honorable Carl O. Snowden. Please note that this is not a complete list of the donors, that list can be found by visiting the Coretta Scott King Memorial Garden. Ghanaian Association of Baltimore (GAB) took this journey of remembrance because history recall that Dr. Martin Cont’d on page 27
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Leticia Kusi’s Graduation Party
Cutting of cake
Leticia dancing with her father
Leticia, her mother Pokua and guests
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Ghana
The western Regional hiV and aiDS Focal Person, Dr. Ronald Sowah, has announced that 2000 people have officially been registered as homosexuals in the region. he has, therefore, charged health workers in the region not to discriminate against them when they visit the various health facilities with health complications for treatment. "Dispense health services to them without prejudice to their work because it is their fundamental human right to be taken care of when they are sick, "he said. Dr Sowah was addressing over 200 health workers drawn from the 17 Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies in the western region at a day's workshop on "Focus Region Project" in Takoradi. The workshop, which was funded by the United States a ge n c y fo r i n t e r n at i o n a l Development (USaiD) was aimed at training health workers to be abreast with the basic facts about hiV and aiDS, as well as manage post exposure prophylaxis of blood products and body fluid in the course of their work. Dr Sowah said health workers are often exposed to various blood bonds and other body fluid such as amniotic fluid, vaginal secretion, saliva, vomit, faeces and sweat that are potentially infectious in the course of their work. in view of this, he added, health professionals must always wear gloves and other protective gears whenever they are working on patients to avoid being infected, he said. Dr Sowah, however said that, in the event of getting in contact with such body fluids, health workers must quickly wash the fluid with soap and water as well as reporting to their superiors for immediate action. The Regional hiV and aiDS Focal Person tasked health workers to promote the use of condoms, sex education, s u p p o r t ive c o u n s e l l i n g, management of infections and comprehensive care at all times. Dr S owa h s a i d h e wa s unhappy with the stabilization of the spread of the hiV in the region, saying in view of intensified sex education and public awareness, the prevalence rate of the virus in the region stood at 2.5 percent as at last year, below the national prevalence rate of 2.9 percent. he said the Focus Region Project is aimed at educating health personnel in western,
Central and Greater accra regions on how to reduce the spread of the hiV, malaria and hepatitis. On his part, the deputy regional director of health in charge of public health, Dr Kwaku Karikari, advised health workers to always abide by infection control practices and avoid being jittery whenever they are exposed to blood products or body fluids.
Seven babies at Korle-Bu freed by Royal House Chapel Youth Choir accra, May 29,GNa-The Youth Choir of the Royal house Chapel international in accra, has paid an amount of Gh1,850 to discharge seven babies whose mothers could not afford drugs and medical bills after delivery at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital. The charity forms part of measures to afford such mothers the opportunity to re-unite with their babies after they have been denied custody of their flesh and blood. Vice-President of the Youth Ministry, Mr.albert ayittey Nii Tettey, who made the cash presentation on behalf of the choir to the hospital, said the gesture formed part their initiative dubbed: "Save the Baby Project", which started a year ago after a clean-up exercise at the hospital where 15 of such babies were discharged. M r. T e t t e y e x p r e s s e d profound gratitude to individual members of the choir for their contributions which paved the way for the babies to reunite with their mothers. Receiving the amount on behalf of the hospital, the Principal Nur sing Officer at the Natal intensive Care Unit (NiCU) of the hospital, Mrs.alberta Gyepi-Garbrah, thanked the youth choir for the noble gesture and appealed to them to continue to lend the required support to such unfortunate babies. She said most of such babies hold the key to the future of the nation and advised mothers to take care of them in spite of the difficulties they go through. Mrs. Gyepi-Garbrah revealed that between January and May this year,17 babies have not detained by the hospital due to the inability of their mothers to settle a bill of between Gh 100 and Gh 150 after delivery. GNa
Ghanaian appointed vice president of AfDB Group a Ghanaian, Mr. Charles O. Boamah, has been appointed as a Vice President of the african Development Bank Group, a statement issued in accra on Tuesday said.
it said as a member of the senior management team, Mr. Boamah had the primary responsibility for providing the financial leadership necessary for the accomplishment of the strategic objectives of the african Development Bank Group (the afDB Group). Specifically, in his role as Vice President of Finance, Mr. Boamah has oversight r e s p o n s i b i l i t y fo r a l l t h e financial management matters of the afDB Group, including treasury activities, financial risk management, financial accounting and re por ting, monitoring of the effectiveness of the internal control framework, loan administration and related fiduciar y responsibilities, including disbursements of funds to the projects and programs throughout africa financed by the aDB Group, it said. Mr. Boamah joined the afDB in 1996 and his immediate past role at the afDB Group was Director and Controller. Prior to joining the afDB, Boamah worked for 11 years with First interstate Bank (merged with wells Fargo Bank), starting as a Senior Financial analyst and subsequently serving as Vice President and Manager of accounting Policy and Research. Prior to First interstate Bank, Mr. Boamah worked fo r ove r f ive ye a r s w i t h PricewaterhouseCoopers (then Coopers & Lybrand) in accra and Los angeles, where he started as a staff accountant and was promoted to a supervisor. M r. B o a m a h ' s c l i e n t s included companies in the insurance, mortgage banking, retail, enter tainment and m a nu f a c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s as well as city and county administrations. Mr. Boamah earned a firstclass honors degree in Business administration from the University of Ghana. he also holds an MBa in Finance from the University of California in Los angeles (UCLa). Mr. Boamah is married with two children. GNa
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2000-gaysregistered-inWestern-Region
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FuNERAL ANNOuNCEMENTS FINAL FuNERAL RITES
FINAL FuNERAL RITES Abusuapayin Charles Marfo of New York, Mrs. Esther Akwaboah, Accra and the entire Asona families of Akyem Kwabeng, Ashanti Kumawu and Koforidua Akwadum with deepened hearts wish to announce the death of their beloved daughter, mother, wife and sister DORA AMPOFOAH BAAH. She is survived by her husband Albert Osei-Agyeman (aka Kofi Agyeman), her two sons; Jason and Albert Osei-Agyeman. Her brothers; Erich Twum-Baah (GA), Seth Kwame Ware (GH), Pastor Kwabena Asante Adjei-Baah (GH), Henry Oteng-Pabi (NY), Phillip Mensah (NY), John Marfo (NY), Akomeah Oteng-Pabi (Canada), Nyameate Oteng-Pabi (Canada), Odame Oteng-Pabi (Canada), Dr. Amponsah-Wiredu (KS), Kwame Kankam (Nephew, PA), Akwasi Kankam (Brother-in-law, Ghana), Mrs. Esther Kankam (GH), Leticia Adjei-Baah (VA), Nelly Akwaboah (GH), Afi Amoafo (GH), Alice Oteng-Pabi (London), Mrs. Grace P. Twum-Baah (sister-in-law, GA), Victory Bible Church International, Kwaben US Association, VA;
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The S & S Beauty Salon & Belinda Smith Fashion Show Held in Alexandria, VA. in May 2011. Photography by Anointed Hands Studios
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What Would Fela Think of Today's Africa?
Africa
By: John dramani Mahama, Vice president of ghana
The afrobeat legend might have been inspired by Nigeria's recent presidential elections, as well as africa's outburst of democracy. in late april of this year, the award-winning Broadway musical Fela! was staged in Lagos, Nigeria. i traveled there, at the invitation of the organizers, to watch the show. From the moment Sahr Ngaujah, the actor who portrays Fela anikulapo Kuti, took to the stage, he channeled the late musician, and i was immediately transported back to the 1970s. what made the experience all the more poignant was the fact that the performance was set against the backdrop of what was being labeled the freest and fairest elections Nigeria has ever had, with the victory of Mr. Goodluck Jonathan ushering in a much needed belief in the possibility of change -- not only for Nigeria but for the entire west african subregion. as i sat spellbound in the audience, i couldn't help wondering what Fela would think of his country, and of our continent, if he were alive to see it now. During the 1970s, i was in my teenage and early-adult years. it was a time when my political consciousness and sense of cultural identity were just forming, and as with so many of the people who came of age back then, the music of Fela Kuti played an instrumental role in that process. Because of the rise of television and FM radio, and the increasing accessibility of air travel, the influence of western culture was strong in both Ghana and Nigeria. Though we wore bell-bottoms and platform shoes, listened to James Brown and used american slang, Fela and his Afrobeat rooted us firmly in the pride of our african selves. The lyrics "i no be gentleman at all, i be africa man original," from
"Gentleman," were practically an anthem. although we felt that we knew who we were, nobody could say for sure anymore what africa was. The fervor of the postcolonial independence period had died down, and africa's future, which everyone had assumed would be bright, was now hanging in the balance. Fledgling democracies gave way to dictatorships as country after country experienced military coup after military coup. Fela's music addressed issues of corruption, military brutality, and social as well as economic justice and gave us an outlet for our outrage and frustrations. he sang about what so many people felt but were not able to express for fear of the consequences. Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter. his music turned him into an enemy of the state in Nigeria. he was harassed by the government and even jailed. For a period, Fela fled the country and sought refuge in Ghana, until the government here, which was growing increasingly uneasy with the rebellious nature of his music, ordered him to return to Nigeria. That stretch of time from the early 1970s to the late 1990s, which the entire body of Fela's music documents and critiques, is often referred to as africa's "lost decades." During those years, the continent experienced absolutely no discernible growth in any arena. whereas once blacks in the Diaspora were clamoring to come to africa, there was now a mass exodus, one that crippled the continent by claiming many of its most promising minds. and then came the hiV/ aiDS epidemic that further ravaged its people and, with the fear and stigma that accompanied the illness, cast a shadow on africa's image and reputation. an unfathomable number of
lives were lost to aiDS and aiDS-related complications, including the life of the man we affectionately referred to as the Black President, Fela Kuti. Throughout history, africa's strength has always been its ability to recover and prove to the rest of the international community that it cannot be counted out. That's precisely w h a t i s h a p p e n i n g n ow. a number of the situations against which Fela raged no longer exist. Coups and military dictatorships anchored by the sort of henchmen whom Fela famously called zombies are becoming a thing of the past. Democracy and the rule of law have taken hold. in the past year alone, at least a dozen african countries have held elections. Ghana held its last presidential election in 2008. Our economies are becoming more stable. as a result of all of these improvements, large numbers of africans who had fled to seek political and economic shelter in foreign lands are repatriating. This influx of educated professionals and skilled laborers is hastening the pace of development on the continent. Nigeria, in particular, appears to be in the midst of a significant rebound. with approximately 154,729,000 residents, Nigeria is africa's most populous country and, therefore, one of its most important. it is also one of the top 10 oil-producing nations in the world and one of africa's largest economic hubs. Because of corruption, poor governance and ethnic and religious tensions, Nigeria has also been one of africa's most troubled nations. however, for a little over a decade, Nigeria's political progress was steady. when Gen. Sani abacha, its last military ruler, died suddenly in 1998, the country slowly found its way back to democracy. an interim government was put in place, elections were held and power was handed over to the winner, Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo. a former soldier, Obasanjo had previously been head of state. This time, however, he served not as a military ruler but as a popularly elected president. he served two terms and then handed over power to Mr. Umaru Yar'adua, who won in an election that was widely criticized by independent observers and political opponents, who alleged voter irregularities. in 2010, when health problems led to Yar'adua's death, with a year of his term Cont’d on page 30
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Kwadwo Ntiamoah Mourns Mother
Kwadjo held shoulder high
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William K. Ofori’s 50th Birthday
William and wife dancing
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Sports & Leisure
“Funny Face” Hopeful Of Becoming A Lawyer Soon hilarious comedian Funny Fa c e b o r n B e n s o n O h e n e Boateng has disclosed to hitz enter tainment News that he is preparing to fur ther his education to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. The young comedian who has been tagged as the future of Ghanaian comedy said he is putting measures in place to further his education outside the country to achieve this dream. “i will be going to the university soon and probably, God willing, i am looking at going outside the country… when i come back i am going to be my lawyer. Soon to be lawyer Boateng I (the first),” Born and bred in James Town, accra to ashanti and Kwahu parents, Funny Face disclosed that he is currently into several projects and events which are taking most of his time. aside the ambition of becoming and attorney, another dream he said was dear to heart is giving back to society: something he is currently working on. “…i want to give back to society… when i see them (the needy) in traffic, I do give them money,” he said adding that he has not actually done any formal donation yet. “i'm planning to do it but i have not started yet... i feel it when i see them; i know what they go through because i have been there before,” Funny Face revealed.
The man who got his first ever real exposure as a comedian at the Night of a 1010 Laughs and Music organized by Charter house last year said he was overwhelmed by that opportunity which has propelled him to greater heights. he has perfor med on several platforms since then including the ever memorable co-staring performance he did with legendary satirist, Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM) last year.
he is currently the star of the popular television series Chorkor Tro Tro where he plays the role of the driver’s mate. Fo r t h e f u t u r e , F u n ny Face said he is planning to come up with his own comedy productions. “in future, i am planning to come up with my own stand up shows…,” he said. Story by Ernest Dela Aglanu/ Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
Agya Koo CLaiM TO FaMe agya Koo started out as a comedian on the ‘Key Soap Concert Party,’ but it was his entry into the film industry in 1999 that launched his flourishing career. SeXiNeSS we are of the opinion that agya koo is the original SeX SYMBOL; Van Vicker don’t even come close. BiOGRaPhY Kofi adu professionally known as agya Koo was born and raised in Kumasi, ashanti region. his booming career began in the early 90s as a comedian on the “key Soap Concert Party,” where he took up and maintained the stage name agya Koo. in 1999, agya Koo made his big screen début on the popular movie “Kumasi Yonko.”
in a bid to entertain h i s a u d i e n c e s a g y a Ko o incorporated comedic element in his roles making him an instant hit with audiences. Nonetheless, it was his role in “Obi nnim awie ye,” that made him a household name, and a force to be reckoned with in the local movie genre. agya Koo has starred in numerous movies so far and has in recent times added coaching (acting) to his resume. PeRSONaL LiFe agya koo has been married for fifteen years and has three children. QUOTeS “it is up to anybody to decide whether they feel english movie is good for them. if it is, they should go for them while we also patronize our local ones.”-agya Koo“ in fact, i sometimes find
it very hard to understand why Ghanaians want to learn other country’s language first before theirs. it’s very absurd. when you watch foreign movies like Chinese and indian, they use their own languages and interpret them for others to understand; so why can’t we also use our local language and interpret it as well.”-agya Koo“ Majority behave nicely towards me. i have also received a lot of insult from people. Some also threaten me on phone; at times too people throw stones at me…,”-agya Koo“ …proverb said in the local language is more pleasing in the ears than in english. So i rest my case.”-agya Koo FiLMOGRaPhY Kumasi Yonko Obi nnim awie ye Ka wonan toso Asew 419A gya Koo in Love
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10th Anniversary 2001 - 2011
THE
NEW GHANAIAN Keeping Ghanaians In Touch
The No.1 Ghanaian Radio Station in the uS! To listen go to:
w w w. s u n l i g h t r a d i o . c o m For iphones, download Sunlight Radio app from itunes for FREE! or dial 712.432.8013 and listen to Sunlight Radio on any phone. Cont’d from 12
Luther King, Jr. vision was not for americans alone, but he also shares the vision of the liberation of africa with Osagefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of the Republic of Ghana.
On the night of Ghana’s independence, Dr. Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta Scot King were present in Ghana to celebrate Ghanaian’s freedom from the British rule on March 6, 1957. we found it a great honor to be part of this occasion. GaB members in attendance
were: Mr. Richard ahwireng – Chairman emeritus Mr. Charles Sarbeng – Chairman Mrs. emelia Sarbeng – General Secretary Mr. Joseph addo – Treasurer Miss Doris Nkansah – Vice Chair
Miss Benidictta acquah, Miss Yaa Badu Miss Patience Odei Members from Ghanaian Unity association of Maryland, edgewood who also graced the occasion were: Mr. Osei Frimpong, anita Darko Story by: Richard Ahwireng
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Coming to a shop near you...
Fashion
“The heat is on!...” I can hear that song being played on the radio. Well, summer is here and ‘O la la’, old-fashioned sensibilities dictate that one wears light clothing both in color and in fabric weight so as not to get drained or dehydrated when the sun is up and one is not in an air-conditioned environment. Trends have branched out to minimalistic and to futuristic militaristic. The 70's are back and making a statement. We cannot get enough of the 80's leggings, but we are making room for wider pants. Black is always classy and never gets old, but we are seeing an explosion of the bright colors with orange being the first. White is making an impact alongside ivory, magnolia, and vanilla. Denim cut-offs begging to be paired with some neon are on the radar this season. Geometric shapes and striped patterns have this summer fashion seeing math-- ha! Print pencil skirts in particular, offer a fun, flirty alternative to the standard sundress. Lace outfits are going to be part of daily routines, and jumpsuits are being worn in a more chic yet causal way. Shorts are a summer fashion staple. Last year, there was the tiny hipster waist style, plunging to an uncomfortable low. This summer, the return of a bit higher waistband, comfortable, and somewhat lady-like is what is hot. The cuffed shorts, very tailored, are great and cute.
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FASHION KOTI Ladies, you chose to get a tattoo wherever you chose to get it, and now some of us would have to squirm when we see where you chose this picture or inscription especially this season. Ooh!! Even the dark-skinned sisters are also getting a tattoo that is sooo dark just to be able to make the cut. What’s going on ladies????? You had Jimmy’s name tattooed, and now he’s no longer in the picture. Oo! You want Jack to understand? LMHO… (Laughing my head off)… Oh how convenient!! Reporting for Duty!! By Eddie Ekuban
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Presenters
Komla the Odade3 DRIVE TIME SHOW: Week days - 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Muriel Vanderpuye THE WORD: Mondays - 11:30am - 12noon
Rev. Mark Asiedu Frimpong TIME WITH THE KING: Thursdays - 11:30am - 12noon
Rev. Kwasi Gyimah HOUR OF DECISION: Tuesdays - 11:30am - 12noon AWARE3 MU NS3M: Mondays - 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Joe Mainoo AWARE3 MU NS3M: Mondays - 7:00pm - 9:00pm ANADWO NKOMO: Thursdays - 7:00pm - 9:00pm KYER3 W’ADWENE: Fridays - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Stago THE BASEMENT: Saturdays - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Sonny LET’S TALK NOW: Tuesdays - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Dr. Love LOVE LANE: Mon, Wed & Fri- 9:00pm - 11:00pm
CR GOSPEL MUSIC: Sundays - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Pastor Fiifi Ocran ANADWO NKOMO: Thursdays - 7:00pm - 9:00pm NEW HOPE HOUR: Sundays - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Evangelist Harry Agyemang GOD’S PROMISES: Sundays - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Auntie Araba LOVE LANE: Wed & Fri- 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Pastor Josiah GOSPEL HOUR: Tuesdays - 11:00am - 11:30am
Apostle Ayvel Arnolds HOUR OF ANOINTING: Fridays - 11:00am - 11:30am
Elder Isaac Opoku NEW HOPE HOUR: Sundays - 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Rev. Emmanuel Nkrumah WESLEY TIME: Fridays - 11:30am - 12:00noon
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Cont’d from 22
in office remaining, his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan, had to step into the role of president. It was an unforeseen occur rence, and there was speculation as to what might happen next. There was a lot of uncertainty. Everybody wondered what the next election might bring and whether Jonathan could
truly stand -- and win -- on the weight of his own strength and leadership. The fact that he did, with nearly 60 percent of the vote, was a sign of hope. Nigeria was indeed moving forward. One of the biggest challenges to recovery that Nigeria and most other African nations have had to face has been the battle with HIV/AIDS. But even there, statistics show that Africans are winning. Jonathan and I are
both in the United States this week, as are more than a dozen other African heads of state, to attend sessions at the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS to figure out what additional steps we can take to further reduce the prevalence of the disease in our respective countries. The incidence of the disease and its related illnesses is relatively low in both Ghana and Nigeria, at less than 4 percent of
their populations. But we can do better, and I believe that we will. As I watched the immense talent that Sahr Ngaujah and the other cast members of Fela! displayed that evening in Lagos and was reminded of Fela's outspokenness, I had to concede that if he were alive, he would still find plenty to sing about. One of my favorite songs in Fela's reper toire is "No Agreement." It is about the
importance of speaking up in the face of injustice, something that all Africans have been doing of late, without the fear of consequence, by raising our voices and by casting our votes. And this, I am sure, would surely have made the Black President proud! "No agreement today, no agreement tomorrow/I no go agree make my brother hungry/ Make I no talk."
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EMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VIRGINIA Women’s Ministry Day
The Women’s Ministry of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Virginia and their Pastor, Rev. Kofi Karikari and Elders on Women’s Ministry Day. Emmanuel Presbyterian Church is a branch of Presbyterian Church of Ghana. They worship on Sundays at the Lorton Elementary School in Lorton, VA. For further details, please call: 703.919.4304 or 703.309.4192
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