Tag: Travel

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This week in African Style 3/1 – 3/16/07

• BBC launches new Africa Beyond website.

• CNN, Niger Delta and Western Media Portrayals of Africa Part III.

• Ghana: Independence? Try ‘aid-dependence’.

• Chinese Minister: African people will never welcome colonialists to plunder their resources.

• Africa and Europe set for tunnel link.

• MySpace and The New York Times sends readers on African reporting trip.

• Fighting the elusive beast: corruption in Africa.

• Will a Tough Government Save or Sink Rwanda?.

• West Africa Emerges as Drug Conduit to Europe.

• Oprah opens second S. African School through Angel Network.

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African woman in business at TED conference

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at World Economic ForumFellow blogger Benin has been doing a great job with his African Women in Business series. Reading his series has inspired me to keep an eye out for African women who are keeping pace with the men in changing the world we live in. While looking at the schedule for the TED conference, which started on Wednesday, I noticed that one African woman, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian Finance Minister, was scheduled to give a talk at the $4, 000 a head think-tank conference. Having already made an appearance at the World Economic Forum at Davos, she lead a session called “Open for Business” for the “artists and inventors who are plotting to save the world“. Ethan has been blogging from TED and gives us a run-down of Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s session. Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is also the mother of Uzodinma Iweala, author of the critically acclaimed novel Beasts of No Nation and one of Paper Magazine’s Beautiful People of 2006. I guess genius runs in the family.

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Bono: the busiest man in Africactivism

Bono wins NAACP award1Bono is probably the busiest Africa lobbyist of the decade. Every time I look up, he’s involved in some Africa-related initiative. What separates him from the rest of the celebrity Africa-enthusiasts is his ability to develop initiatives which explore new avenues to address Africa’s issues. In the past few days alone, he’s been awarded an NAACP Image Award, proposed to take American Idol to Africa, and taken up post as editor of Vanity Fair’s July issue. In his words “Africa is sexy and people need to know that” Here, here.
Here’s video of his acceptance speech at the NAACP Image Awards.

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Ghana: 50 years young

Ghana's forefathersMarch 6th will mark the 50 year anniversary of Ghana’s independence. A lot can happen in 50 years, and a lot has happened in Ghana in the past 50 years. Besides the celebration of Ghana’s independence, I’ve been thinking about how many of us expect miracles when a country like Ghana has only had 50 years to catch up with the rest of the world. When you think about it, 50 years is not a long time especially if you are looking at the maturation of a nation. With that perspective in mind, I think we’re coming along. Here are some events and information sources to let you know what Ghana was, is, and could be:

• The official website of the Golden Jubilee

• Ghana at 50 Reflects on Dream of Nationhood – NPR’s recent broadcast on Ghana’s progression.

• Ghana: Celebrating 50 Years – AllAfrica.com story on celebrations

• Ghana’s Growth, Falling Poverty Rates, Could Raise Income Status in a Decade – The World Bank’s special section with research and data about Ghana’s progress

• The architect of Ghana’s independence – BBC’s profile of Kwame Nkrumah

• The Ghana Independence Day Calendar – Calendar by Ghanaian owned photo studio Stratford Studios in the UK. Procceds from the sale of the calendar will be donated to the Sickle Cell Society.
 
• Back To My Roots – Photographer Stanley Lumax’s photo essay on his return to Ghana

• Ghana – A Portrait – Photographer Max Milligan’s coffee table book about his travels to Ghana
 
Below are a list of events that are scheduled to take place in the New York area throughout the year. Updates will be available on www.myzongo.com
 
March 6, 2007 (Independence Day):
• AfriPRO‘s Ghana celebration, Fusion215 located at 215 West 28th Street, NYC (btw. 7th & 8th Ave), NYC, from 6pm – until – African Professionals (AfriPRO) Network  professional mixer and party as part of Ghana’s 50th Independence Day celebrations

• Press Conference and Cultural Display of Ghanaian artifacts and cultural symbols with their meanings
Venue: Ghana Mission, Second Floor or another location TBD

• A Night of Sweet independence @ Sweet Rhythm, 88 Seventh Avenue at Bleecker Street, NYC- New African Jazz vocalist Somi will appear at Sweet Rhythm and will dedicate the evening to independence and freedom. Reservations are recommended
 
March 10, 2007:
• Awards Dinner Dance and Reception
Venue: Ghana Mission, Second Floor
Outstanding African Americans and Ghanaians will be recognized at this Awards Dinner for their economic and social contributions towards the development Ghana. There will be pomp and pageantry on Ghanaian styles and ethnic cuisine. Corporate sponsorship of this event will give your establishment the highest possible exposure in the community. A Special Commemorative Journal will be published with special messages from major sponsors. Sponsorship at the Premium Level will include pictures, images or articles the sponsors would like to include in the journal.
 
• Ghana Independence Dance @ Gauchos Gym, Bronx, New York – BDN (Boogie Down Nima) & NCOGA (National Council of Ghanaian Associtions) INDEPENDENCE DANCE! ARTISTS: Reggie Rockstone, Wanlov The Kubolor, Bright of Bukbak, Papa She’ee, Rascalimo & more… DEEJAYS: Roni Ron, E-Love, Sam Q, Nasei & more… MCS: Flip & Rab “The International”. DO NOT FORGET: $10 off if you dress traditional. Visit www.bdnvision.org for more info.

March 18, 2007 (unconfirmed):
• Interfaith Service
Venue: Armenia Archdiocese Banquet Hall, 630 Second Avenue, NYC
There will be an interfaith service representing the three major faith organizations in Ghana – Traditional, Islamic and Christian. There will also be cultural displays prior to the service. This event is expected to attract a large audience with the greatest exposure because of the venue and its historic significance in New York.
 
April 7, 2007(unconfirmed):
• Discussion on “Ghana @ 50, Past, Present and Future”
Venue: African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan (if available)
This event will be a collaborative effort with the African Studies departments from some of the universities in the city. There will be a panel of experts and we hope to have a special guest from Ghana such as a Minister or some other VIPs.
 
May 2007 (confirmed):
• Ghana Film Festival
Venues: To Be Determined
We will be collaborating with the African Film Festival in New York City. The African Film Festival will be in Lincoln Center and then on to Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Before the event moves to BAM, there is a ’dark period’ of one week, and we will use this period to show some films produced and or directed by Ghanaians around the city. The film festival itself has intentions of showing a couple of Ghanaian films, so this is really a high profile media event.
 
June 16, 2007 or Sunday June 17, 2006 (Unconfirmed) :
• Grand Parade in Harlem
The First ever Ghana Parade in New York City featuring floats showcasing the diversity of Ghanaian culture. There will be music with a mini-concert at the Harlem State Building Plaza at the end of the parade.
Parade Route: Seventh Avenue from 145th to 125th Street.
 
Saturday July 7, 2006 (unconfirmed):
• Ghana Children’s Day
This is will be in the form of a workshop focusing on the children in our community. There will be highlights of some interesting stories about some of these children. There will also be a mentoring session.
 
Saturday August 4 or 11, 2006:
• Annual Picnic and Concert
Venue: Orange County Fair Grounds (tentative)
The biggest event within the Ghanaian community anywhere in the world and we hope with the success of last year’s event, next year’s will exceed expectations. The biggest challenge is getting a place closer to the City. Currently, the estimated crowd is over 10,000.

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Damon Dash goes to Ghana for the UN

Damon Dash in Ghana for UNFor those wondering where Jay-Z’s former partner, Damon Dash, is these days, he’s been doing his part for the United Nations World Food Programme, which launched in April of 2006 to raise monies towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015. A few months ago Dash and his family, including wife fashion designer Rachel Roy, took part in the CatWALK the World event held in Ghana. Dash joined Ozwald Boateng (Ghana/UK), Stoned Cherrie (South Africa), Tina Atimeo (Ghana), Deola Segoe (Nigeria), Kofi Ansah (Ghana), and Hiplife artists Tic-Tac and VIP for a day of fashion and world hunger awareness. While in Ghana, Dash also visited a place called Orphanage Africa. It’s weird seeing Dash involved in this type of event since for hip-hop heads like myself his image is more of a harsh Harlem businessman. Maybe marriage and the Rocafella split has calmed him down a bit. Either way it looks like the event was a success. Future CatWalk the World events are planned for Benin, Ethiopia, and Florida (USA). Check out a video of the event below.

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This week in African Style 2/24 – 3/2/07

• Africa and the winds of globalisation part 1 and part 2.

• South Africa helping the American film industry reel in the money.

• Angelina Jolie travels to Africa to raise Darfur awareness.

• Reuters’ editor-in-chief outlines plans for Africa site.

• Ethiopia and the global antiterrorism campaign.

• New York’s Museum for African Art finds a home.

• Face of Africa modeling competition is cancelled.

• GE’s user-friendly healthcare concepts for Africa.

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Simmons, DiCaprio and Africa empowerment

Russell Simmons poses with Beyonce with Green braceletThe publicity bout over the image of diamonds continued throughout both Oscar and All-Star weekends with both Russell Simmons and Leonardo DiCaprio doing their part to promote awareness of their initiatives addressing blood diamonds. Simmons recently launched his Green Initiative jewelry line in Beverly Hills, California with celebrities such as Sanaa Lathan, Eva Pigford, Serena Williams, Paris Hilton, and Rosario Dawson. If you remember the Green Initiative is set up to raise money for “the development and empowerment of the people and communities in Africa where diamonds are a natural resource.” The initiative is part of the Diamond Empowerment Fund “a non-profit international organization” which Simmons announced at his press conference a few months ago. While Simmons has been busy courting celebrities such as Beyonce with the Green Bracelet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Ryan Gosling and others promoted the Amnesty International and Global Witness campaign against gem mining in troubled areas of the world by wearing a red teardrop pin to the Oscars. The pins were later auctioned off to benefit the campaign.

I’ve been following the developments of the blood diamonds campaigns closely and have been seeing a convergence of thoughts from both sides of the debate. Initially there were two separate camps that were bent on proving the other wrong in the public eye. But as the months – and the initial hype – have passed, I’ve seen both sides resolve to push strategies which though different on the surface, can have similar results: Giving Africans more control over their resources. DiCaprio, Hounsou, Amnesty International, and Global Witness are working outside of the current system to bring about the change in business practices, while Simmons is trying to work within the system to reach a fairly similar goal. While I see working within the current system as a dangerous strategy, I’m eager to see how Simmons walks the tightrope of getting an industry that is bent on maintaining it’s stronghold to purge itself of a practice that has worked so well. Maybe as Amnesty International’s campaign continues to put pressure on the diamond manufacturers, Simmons’ job will become easier. Time will tell which strategy is most effective.

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Soccer moms talk Africa and Oprah’s school

Mommycast HostsNot too long ago Oprah was not on my radar. I didn’t watch her show so I didn’t pay attention to anything she did. I usually associated Oprah with feel-good daytime talk shows. It wasn’t until recently that I realized the wand she wields over American culture in general. It’s still a mystery to me how she does this but who can deny the influence she has. The recent Mommycast podcast focusing on Africa is a clear example of Oprah’s influence over what I call the Twinset clan (next time you watch Oprah count the number of twinsets worn in the audience). The Twinset clan is that group of soccer mom types whose purse strings are coveted among marketers. Many are stay-at-home wives of American businessmen who manage the household and have access to endless disposable income. And when Oprah says Africa needs money, they say how much. After the airing of Monday’s “Building a Dream” special about Oprah’s South African girl’s school experience, the tremendously popular Mommycast show has dedicated a whole show, advertisers and all, to the topic of Children in Africa. What makes the particular show interesting is the focus on how African issues are understood in those suburban households. Listen to the show and tell me what you think.

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Hip-hop and democracy in Senegal’s elections

Democracy in Dakar - Nomadic WaxI’ve often asked if hip-hop can save Africa, and now we’re getting to see for ourselves. Senegal, one of Africa’s most stable democracies, is currently going through elections and as in the past hip-hop is playing a serious role. It’s interesting being an African living in the States and experiencing both African and African-American cultures simultaneously. My position has given me a unique vantage point to which to compare hip-hop’s beginnings and where it has reached both in the States and on the continent. African hip-hop still maintains the revolutionary nature of hip-hop’s beginnings while American hip-hop has grown into a beast of another nature. As American hip-hop has grown to be accepted in the mainstream it has become a music of materialism and shortsighted goals. The music and culture that brought many black Americans out of struggle and strife is threatening to take them right back to those hard times. Maybe this is a lesson for both African and American rappers. Maybe taking American rappers to see the role hip-hop plays in Africa’s youth’s lives, as VH1 did last Thursday, will allow them to see how powerful hip-hop is/was and get them looking at whether they’re using it to it’s full potential. Ben at Nomadic Wax has been documenting the Senegalese elections from a hip-hop perspective with amazing results. The question is though, how closely will African hip-hop youth follow the path of their American counterparts?

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Whitaker wins one for African film industry

Foreest Whitaker wins OscarBy now you’ve all heard that Forest Whitaker won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. While this is another big boost for Black actors in general, it is more of a validation of African film. Before the awards I was speaking to my partner at the film commission about what the implications of a win like this will be. One thing he emphasized was how more African films will mean more roles for black actors. I think one thing that many people, especially Africans, overlook is the relationship between African-American progress and African progress. While we rarely expound on the connection, Whitaker’s win shows how African stories can provide unlimited opportunities for African-American actors and producers to create award-winning films. While many producers have looked primarily to South Africa and apartheid for strong African stories in the past, Whitaker’s win shows that there are more than enough stories to develop on the continent. That’s why Dreamgirls’ Danny Glover skipped the Oscars to attend the Pan African Film and Television Festival in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Now that the word is out, the goal must be to encourage more African screenplays (preferably from Africans themselves) and get African stories told by African people. While I’m glad Warner Bros. made the effort to make Blood Diamond, I think the studios can now see the benefit of telling African stories from an African’s perspective using African/African-American talent. And while “The Last King of Scotland” wasn’t a blockbuster at the theaters, at this point we see there is a large enough audience interested in seeing a African film that is given the budget both independent and blockbuster Western movies enjoy.
Update: The BBC reports about African reactions to the Oscars at the Fespaco film festival in Burkina Faso.