Yiadom

Africa Diaspora Development Day (AD3) - London

2007-06-27T12:47:00.000+01:00

“Business and Education – Leadership and Skills for Development”
Hosted by University of East London School of Education

Date: 7th July, 2007

Venue: University of East London (UEL), Docklands Campus (Cyprus Station on DLR)

Time: 9.30am – 6.00pm

Fee: None,

but we would appreciate it if participants would contribute £10 towards the cost of the African Refreshments that will be served. Nobody will be turned away because of an inability to pay

Please inform us on the booking form if you will need a crèche for the event.

‘Business, Education, Leadership and Skills for Development: African Diaspora and Development Day (AD3)’ will continue the exploration of ways in which UK based Africans can develop themselves to enhance job prospects and development in Africa.

AD3 is returning to the University of East London (UEL) Docklands Campus for 2007. This is where, in 2000, AFFORD first pioneered the AD3 concept of bringing together Africans in the diaspora to add value to their existing contributions to Africa’s development. Since then AD3 has become an innovative fixture on the diaspora calendar.

In 2007 UEL’s School of Education is taking the AD3 concept further - bringing together its undergraduates, graduates and postgraduate students (about one third are Africans), members of diaspora groups drawn from African Voices for Africa’s Development (ADVAD), as well as Resource Persons from AFFORD’s Supporting Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Development in Africa (SEEDA) project to help define the role of the academy in supporting the diasporas’ contribution to development, to validate and energise ‘ebony towers’, to build healthy partnerships between business, education and the third sector.

It will explore how to build on on-going business, skills and education development projects such as:

How can education deliver the understandings, personal and professional skills Africans in the Diaspora need to enhance their contributions to development in Africa – listening to the voices of students and staff from UEL and other ‘Ivory Towers’.

Supporting African students who have aspirations to establish businesses (including education establishments and services on their return home)

Networking and strategic planning for ADVAD’s members

Enhancing the effectiveness AFFORD’s (SEEDA) project

Strengthening the networks of Africans focused on sustainable development

You will find the event particularly useful if you are:

An African student at UEL looking to enhance your personal and professional development

A member of ADVAD

A SEEDA resource persons who wants to explore ways of making the programme even more effective

A member of the African diaspora already contributing or interested in contributing to development in Africa

Are contributing to development in Africa

For information contact:

Reese Lee-Ellis or Kavita Teja at The School of Education Help Desk (020 8223 3112) to request further information.
Please note they will only be able to forward enquiries and please be patient, the desk normally handles student enquiries and there is only one line,
or Jasbir Panesar, Community Development Co-ordinator (020 8223 4356)

To register online use http://www.uel.ac.uk/ad3/index.htm
To see the programme click here.

Re-dominination: The Saga continues

2007-06-22T14:35:00.000+01:00

As the 1st July approaches, news on this exercise still meets criticism.

I first spoke about this exercise on the HYPERINFLATION: The End??? post last month. Since then I have come across the following articles.

On MyJoy online many articles regarding this exercise can be found, however this article, "Use local languages in re-denomination campaign" struck a cord with me. It talks about a farmer, Mr. Kobena Oguan, who has appealed to agencies engaged in public education on the cedi re-denomination exercise to use the local languages instead of English. A sorry state of affairs eh!! Surely if Ghanaian television broadcasting recognises that local language broadcasts are necessary, then surely one would expect that this be the model for all publicity that requires national attention.

Requests for the literate to educate the illiterate seems is what Professor N. Nsowah-Nuamah suggests after he toured parts of the Makola market in Accra to ascertain how far traders understood the exercise and their readiness for the new currency. The article written by Phyllis D. Osabutey called Ghana: Market Women At a Loss , goes on to address the professors findings and illustrates how the ongoing re-denomination exercise with various media and other public education campaigns seems to have created much awareness about the new currency, but little information with regard to the conversions.

Stock Market watchers have also expressed concern. This is reported in the Business Week article Another Way Out for New Cedi on GSE . Not being a financial expert, the conversion solution does appear to make sense. However, I feel an informed solution is still needed.

A much older article talks about how the biggest battle for this exercise is in the open markets of Makola, Mallata, Kaa Djaano, Kumasi Dwem, Kejetia, Asafo-Market, Kotokoraba, Abofour and Techiman Dwem where 80% of business takes place. Conceptualization - the biggest problem of the cedi re-denomination written by Kwesi Atta-Krufi Hayford talks about his view on how this exercise should be performed.

Being a simple person, I was happy to see a teenager making her request for better education of this exercise. 16 year old Anita Manatey from Shiannoh JSS in Apenkwa puts her view across as well. Whilst Use Re-Denomination Of The Cedi - What Kids Say may not draw much attention to viable solutions, it still brings a smile to your face.

My biggest question is, if this is what is going on in Ghana, how on earth are the diaspora supposed to know as well. For example, if you regularly send money home, how will it be converted? For information on that, so far I come across mixed messages that only reflect the disillusionment of those back home.

Ah well, lets wait until July the 1st ehh!!!!.

TEDGlobal: Ideas worth spreading

2007-06-22T10:57:00.000+01:00

I first came across this inspiring speech by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first female Finance Minister in Nigeria on the Annansi Chronicles .

Her speech most definitely delivered a positive presentation of Africa to a wider audience. She talks about the Africa we don’t know in terms of anti-corruption practice; makes a request for embezzled funds sitting in accounts of developed countries to be returned back to developing countries; and the basic fact that Africa is full of opportunities, supported by Carol Pinneau's Africa Open for Business.

However, I had to wonder what she had chosen to push and hold back through her eloquent delivery. It is only natural, that she must be seen to be plugging Nigeria; however she may have taken it a little too far.

Making statements such as "... if you are not in Nigeria, you are not in Africa; I want to tell you that...” come on!!!!

I suppose that is just her sense of humour, and natural pride for her nation, I even laughed as she said it. As she went on to talk about Housing initiatives, and women to invest in, she definitely held back.

She could have easily mentioned Stephanie Baeta-Ansah, Managing Director of the HFC Bank in Ghana, who has successfully created housing finance opportunities. She did not though, so here is some of the footage filmed in Ghana from this documentary. And to be fair I have included Nigeria too!!!

Africa Open for Business: Ghana

Africa Open for Business: Nigeria

Africa Open for Business: DVD trailer

You can watch the other countries featured in this documentary on YouTube, just type in "Africa open for business" in the search field.

If you have any problems viewing Ngozi's speech then watch it directly on the TED Talks site.

Calling for ideas to support a UK Ghanaian Film Festival

2007-06-13T20:37:00.000+01:00

As the name implies Black History Month (BHM) has always been concerned with the presentation and remembrance of events relevant to the history of Black communities. All founders and organisers of these events have mostly had one purpose in mind, that being the collective establishment of roots, that serve to encourage a healthy future for the descendants of this community.

This natural and hopeful consequence is the major force behind the programme for this film festival. Its focus on Ghanaian films coincides with celebrations of Ghana Independence for 50 years, an event that marks the beginning of Pan African Freedom.

Since independence, Ghana has had its highs and lows; today it is still viewed as a nation in much need of development. Recent debt relief promises and conditionalities have advanced and hindered progress, but for the most part Ghanaians are optimistic about their future.

For the black diaspora on UK shores however, unless you want to know of developments in Ghana or Africa for that matter, you have to make it your business. For those who naturally rely upon the naturally available media such as news, press, radio etc; such information doesn’t always display the optimism of Africans.

I believe that Ghana is at a point where emphasis on the reinforcement of identity is stimulating investment in Ghanaian culture and arts. As developments in this area rapidly develop within Ghana, links need to be establised, that connects this progression to an audience here in London.

It is with these points in mind that support is needed for a festival during the BHM celebrations, that aims to showcase films that addresses the following:

Filmic presentation that deliver optimism within Ghanaian culture;

Bring awareness of those that are working towards development in Ghana as well as those who aren’t;

Attract attention to possible solutions that may aid the development of Ghana.

The festival, a totally free event, would aim to be a focus for young Ghanaians, but will also aspire to attract a much wider audience than that. So now I call for any suggestions of films that may be suited to any of the categories listed below.

Categories of film submissions

Looking back to look forward/Reconnecting established roots:
Films in this category will adopt a Sankofa (Return and get it) approach. The aim would be to attract a major feature that reflects a message of identity revival and is also representative of the classic age of Ghanaian filmmaking.

Popular Entertainment:
This is intended to be an open category

The realm of the physical and spiritual:
Looking into how the occult forces impinge on the visible world, has been popular entertainment for some time now, it deserves a category of its own.

A trans-national affair:
The difference in the quality of films with differing production base (e.g. Ghana versus the UK, Germany or US) has been an issue. This is intended to be a category that looks at whether the gap is still evident or closing. It will also extend to films whose plotlines are set in Ghana and a developed nation.

Showcasing talent:
A chance for film students from Ghana and the UK, to present their high quality productions.

Issues of development:
This category is for showcasing films that chart the development of Ghana, both past and present.

The bigger picture:
This is the category suited to films that address possible solutions towards improving African infrastructure. Success stories will be appropriate here.

Looking forward to receiving these suggestions, keep posted for news on this event.

G8 Uncovered event: Hands off and Hand over

2007-05-31T18:03:00.000+01:00

In June 2007, leaders of the world's most powerful countries meet for a G8 summit in Heiligendamm in Germany. Africa tops their agenda and even more interference for the developing world is on the cards.

Join the June 7th G8 Uncovered event. Think Newsnight plus Lie Detector test. A screening of Damned by Debt Relief will be followed by an interrogation of prevailing G8 myths by a panel of experts:

Daniel Ben-Ami, journalist, economist and author of ‘Cowardly Capitalism’ ; Philip Cunliffe, researcher and author of ‘Politics Without Sovereignty’ and Stuart Simpson, economist and author of ‘Damn lies and Debt Relief’.

A studio audience will join the fray and the event will be filmed for broadcast on the web.

Nail the big picture by joining crew and audience on:

Thursday June 7th 2007
at 7.30pm

The WORLDwrite Centre,
Millfields Lodge
201 Millfields Road,
London
E5 0AL

Doors open 6pm onwards with stalls.

Entry is free. Additional cameras welcome. Refreshments available.

t. 020 8985 5435
e. world.write@btconnect.com
For full details of the film visit www.worldwrite.org.uk/damned/

Directions to WORLDwrite

The WORLDwrite Centre is at the very bottom of Millfields Road, past the park, opposite Oswald Street in Clapton, Hackney, London E5. The 242 bus stops right outside the centre at the 2nd stop on Millfields Road. You can get the 242 from Tottenham Court Road (50mins) or Liverpool Street (30mins) - direction Homerton Hospital. Many buses also stop at the top of Millfields Road at Clapton pond. From here walk all the way down past the park to the other end of Millfields Road (about 10 mins).

Click here for a map

Improving the distribution of Ghanaian Films

2007-05-12T18:25:00.000+01:00

I have an idea, it is not original, but it may work.

Following my discovery of the AIFF see Filming out of Ghana: comment 11.05.07, I would Like to look into how to help with the exhibition of the Ghanaian production based made films in the UK, but particularly in London.

I am sure that I am not alone in this, so what are your thoughts on this?

Can you recommend any great films?

Do you know of any venues that may be interested in screening such features in the UK during Black History Month?

Let me know what you think!!

HYPERINFLATION: The End???

2007-05-10T10:10:00.000+01:00

The introduction of the new Ghanaian Cedi is nothing new in terms of method.

Is the reinvention of this wheel going to make a difference?

There are several views on this matter. For example we have Adwowa Mansah who summarises why she thinks this introduction is not enough to stabilise the economy. In her article, she sets out vivid reasons that cover why re-denomination is necessary, and some of the factors that may determine the successful outcome of these plans.

The Re-denomination of the Cedi: Hosted by GhanaWeb.com

Debates over these issues by Ghanaian politicians are portrayed in an article written by Cynthia Boakye.
Parliament debates re-denomination of the cedi: Hosted by The Statesman
This same site also has links to issues that aim to educate others about this transition, which I found fairly useful.
The new Ghana Cedi
The new Ghana Cedi - part two

At the end of the day, what is important is how those individuals who live from hand to mouth will react to these changes. What is going to be done to educate such end users through this transition?

For this post I invite you to place your views on this matter, and share how you think an individual such as Ama may be affected by this. For more info about her, read this blog entry by Ethan Zuckerman.

Ama and the jewellery store: Hosted by ethanzuckerman.com

Filming: Out of Ghana

2007-05-08T09:25:00.000+01:00

An anonymous tipper kindly shared info about an up and coming director Julius Amedume and his feature called 'A Goat's Tail'. Thanks Tipper!!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490951/
I have not seen it myself, but my first impressions suggest that this dude is delivering more than the average Ghanaian soap drama. Set both in London and in Ghana, sounds like it is the makings of a very ambitious project. http://amedumefilms.com/

What worries me is the state of Ghanaian filming and its international appeal. Considering that 50 years ago, the number of studios equipped for film production back home, should have provided incentive for a lucrative industry. Don't get me wrong, the present industry is lucrative, but on a home market basis.

What are your thoughts on the genre types presently being made in Ghana?

I know that this will be taboo to say - ooooh - but where do you stand as you see Ghanaians plugging the Nigerian market more than their own?

It would be great to have more producer/directors like Julius; there surely is a lack of talent to titillate the international palette. Do you know of anyone else out there??

More importantly, here is another request asking for a filmic resource. Who knows where to see or get 'A Goat's Tail'? I could really do with your input anonymous tipper!!!!

50 Years of Independence: How do you gauge this??

2007-05-07T21:54:00.000+01:00

The sixth of March this year marked the semicentennial/jubilee/gold anniversary of Ghana's independence from colonial rule. To some this is a plus, to others the current status of Ghana is viewed as a negative.

So what are your thoughts on this??

For me, recent publicity has mostly shown negative aspects of this. Comparison to Malaysia's progression, and the BBC's recent documentary about Victoria's Empire, have left me bitter.

Ghana, has come a long way, but I fear within a public sphere this is not really recognised, once again I reiterate, what are your thoughts on this?

Here is a treat in the meantime.

Heritage Africa

2007-05-07T17:36:00.000+01:00

Does anyone know where to get a copy of Kwah Ansah's classic 80s tale.

I would really love to see this movie, any takers????

In case you are not sure, check out this link on IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216803/ .

I'm based in London by the way, if anyone is selling!!!

Suggest a post!!!

2007-05-07T16:57:00.000+01:00

Hello and welcome to Yiadom.

I'm Roz and looking for ideas for this blog.

I suppose, I'm asking for any suggestions. If there is a topic that you want to discuss, bearing in mind that it needs to be Ghana related, then here is the post to suggest it.

The scope is broad and can cover issues back home and in the UK.

Looking forward to those interesting submissions!!!!