WEB Du Bois

In our series of letters from African journalists, Elizabeth Ohene looks at plans to build a state-of-the-art complex in Ghana to honour the pioneering US black civil rights activist William Edward Burghardt Du Bois.

A cadre of radical African-American intellectuals and artists moved to Ghana after its independence in 1957 and contributed to the invigorating atmosphere of those times.

WEB Du Bois - the famous African-American scholar and black activist - was probably the most high-profile figure among the coterie of African diasporans who came to live here.

The first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University in 1895, he fought prejudice and racism in the US, speaking out against lynching and calling for the equality for all citizens.

Benin Bronze Images

On October 7 and 9, the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora will be invited to the Africa-France Summit to deliver a speech on Restitution.

In this area, Dr Louis-Georges Tin and his parties have already accomplished many things: the law passed in France for the benefit of Benin and Senegal, the law passed in Belgium for the benefit of the DRC, and the resolution passed in respect of was the case. European Parliament for restitution and reparation. It is a historic movement, but it is certainly not enough.

ALL African countries should receive ALL their artifacts. This is why the Prime Minister wants the subject to be on the table during the French presidency of the European Union, from January 2022. This is now what he is discussing with the French authorities.

In the meantime, SOAD is launching a major campaign to give more impetus to the Prime Minister. On October 1 and 2, the government organized an international conference on restitution. Specific guests included Chief Fortune Charumbira, Speaker of the African Union Parliament, Co-chair of the Royal Chamber of DICO; the special representative of the President of the African Union, President Félix Tshisekedi; Daagbo Hounon, Supreme Leader of the Vodou Cult; Saliou Mamadou, grandson of the former President of Guinea, Sekou Touré.

The Gleaner - Gareth Davis Sr.

PORT MARIA, ST MARY

Eventually, protection from COVID-19 will have to be a personal responsibility, as the Government cannot continue the containment protocols forever, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared.

Anse d'Arlet in Martinique

The world’s largest airline is relaunching another destination in the Caribbean: the French Caribbean island of Martinique, Caribbean Journal has learned.

On Nov. 6, the carrier will resume its nonstop service between Miami International Airport and Fort-de-France’s Aime Cesaire International Airport.

The flights will initially run weekly on Saturdays before increasing to at least thrice weekly, according to American Airlines.

American is operating the service on its Embraer 175 aircraft with 76 seats, the company confirmed. 

Paris, September 15, 2021. September being a good time to speak about education, the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) is pleased to announce that the SOAD Network of Pan-African Schools is now in existence. It includes more than 720 schools from different countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Guadeloupe, Gabon, Ghana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc.

Different Pan-African schools exist in the world, but they are not very connected and operate in silos. That is why, for SOAD, it was necessary to create a real network. Thus, all over the world, Pan-African teachers will be able to share good practices, documents, contents, handbooks, exercises, and all kinds of educational resources: they will not have to reinvent the wheel every day.

Dr Tin, Prime Minister of SOAD made the following statement:

“As far as I can see, more and more Africans on the continent and in the diaspora are concerned about the quality of the education provided to their children, and oftentimes, ignoring who we are and where we are coming from. The curriculum of these schools brings a kind of alienation to our young children. This is the reason why it is so crucial to create a whole network of Pan-African schools. ”

The Caribbean countries of Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have gathered 3,500 kg of medical supplies to be sent to the largest country in the Caribbean, Cuba.

The news was announced this Friday by the regional integration bank on its Twitter account, where it acknowledged the role of the four English-speaking Caribbean nations in organizing the much-needed medical aid to the Cuban people in coordination with Conviasa.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba has sent international medical brigades to every country in the Caribbean to help the island nations confront and control the deadly virus; now, with Cuba facing one of its sharpest outbreaks in the 18 months since the novel coronavirus reached the nation's shores, it will humbly receive the donations from its brother nations through an international air bridges established through the ALBA regional integration mechanism.

Due to the United States' economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba for more than sixty years, the largest of the Antilles had struggled to obtain crucial medical, food and sanitary inputs to meet the growing needs of the population. The generous donation from its Caribbean bretheren adds to those originating over the past months from numerous countries worldwide, such as Nicaragua, Russia, Italy, Japan and Bolivia.

Havana, Sep 3 (Prensa Latina) Cuba will present its three anti-Covid-19 vaccines to the World Health Organization (WHO) next week to begin the international recognition process, international media reported Thursday.

According to statements by the Pan American and World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) Representative for Cuba José Moya, specialists from Havana, Geneva and Washington will have the opportunity to attend virtually the event, in order to share information, coordinate documentation and set up schedules.

'It is a good news,' Moya told AP agency and stressed that a working team will be created to review the results of the clinical trials, production processes and quality of Cuban vaccines.

He indicated that a working meeting was held on Thursday at the request of Cuba to initiate the mechanism with PAHO/WHO representation and directors of the Business Group of the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries of Cuba (BioCubaFarma), the Finlay Vaccine Institute ( IFV) and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB).

In the aftermath of the Marcus Garvey Day (August 17), which is now on the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) official calendar, we would like to thank Ambassador Sharon Parris-Chambers, who organized the event, which was a great success.

The day was marked by many highlights such as the panel discussion on women in the Back to Africa movement, the panel discussion on the Exodus Alliance, the alliance working to return to Africa, the documentary by RJ Mahdi and the presentation of the latest issue of the Label Diplomatique, the Pan-African magazine, which will also publish the panel presentations.

Musical interludes animated the meeting. Furthermore, as commemoration should not be a substitute for action, but rather a springboard for action, several concrete announcements were made, such as the trips to Africa organized by Lady Yaa, the Minister of Tourism of the State of the African Diaspora, trips that are naturally in line with the “Back to Africa” vision championed by Marcus Garvey.

But the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the message delivered by Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Garvey, and an Ambassador-at-Large of the State of the Diaspora.

The State of the African Diaspora expresses its gratitude to His Excellency, Chief Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU), who has accepted to have a representation of Marcus Garvey in Ethiopia and in South Africa, Headquarters of the AU and of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).

As a matter of fact, the campaign was initiated by Dr Julius Garvey, Marcus Garvey’s son, a few months ago. Being an ambassador at large of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD), Dr Garvey asked Dr Tin, Prime Minister of SOAD, to also support this initiative. During the Marcus Garvey Day, celebrated on August 17th, Dr Tin officially endorsed the campaign, and the day after, wrote to Chief Charumbira, who is also the co-chair of the Royal Chamber of SOAD.

Chief Charumbira’s answer to Dr Tin was very quick and very positive. First of all, he paid a tribute to the Pan-African spirit delivered by the great Marcus Garvey. Indeed, Marcus Garvey is great not only for his vision that created the movement  “Back to Africa”, but also for his capacity to mobilise. His organisation had more than 6 millions members in more than 40 countries, in Africa and in the Diaspora. It was the biggest black organisation ever.

Chief Charumbira made it very clear : "Please count me and Pan-African Parliament as having accepted the posting both at AU and PAP of the portrait of Marcus Garvey."

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica. Thursday, August 5th, 2021- Sistas of D Ankh & Ma’at Sisterhood Circle celebrates their one-year anniversary with a special program titled “Drums of Alkebulan” via Zoom on August 8, 2021 between 1pm-3pm via Zoom Link - Https://us02Web.zoom.us/j/388417079. MEETING ID: 389 841 7079.  No password necessary.

The public are invited to attend. The event showcases special performances by: Abijah, Don Dada (South African Artiste’s premier performance of the Dawn Penn hit song and cover “You Don’t Love Me -No No No”), Danny Petersen, Nana Yahmin Ensemble featuring Jiwe on flute, Mbuta Mwalimu and Recorded session of Jam Africa Ensemble (Sagatala).

The Sisterhood Circle focuses on four (4) areas of personal development: Physical Wellbeing, Family/Parenting, Spirituality (inclusive of Sacred Feminine/Masculine) and Community Economics Development. Their mission is “each one, teach one, reach one” and their overall vision is “we walk together to go far,” hence allowing for differences to be settled in love, in truth and reciprocity in MA’AT.

Sistas of D Ankh, founded by Hazel Yahmin Williams-Vaz stated “The sessions have been absolutely wonderful, learning has been abundant and we have been consistently reassured about we, ourselves and I, not to mention moving forward, we hope others can join to assist in the Community Development Process”.  She also stated “It is about accountability and responsibility; therefore, broken people can never heal a community without knowing me, myself and I”.

The death of respected academic Runoko Rashidi was announced late last night by his friends and family. He passed away while on a research trip to Egypt on 2 August. Messages of love, support and remembrance are pouring in for the historian online. We take a look at his incredible life and academic career.

Who is Runoko Rashidi?

Runoko Rashidi described himself as a scholar, historian, author and a lecturer. Born in 1954, the historian was about 67 years old when he passed away.

He held frequent seminars about African History, Pan-Africanism, and focused his work specifically on the global African presence, which details the movement of Africans outside Africa before and after enslavement.

Maureen Tamuno, Nigerian High Commissioner meets Min. Ed Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 28, 2021: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett and newly appointed Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Maureen Tamuno, share a special COVID-19 greeting as she paid a courtesy call on the Minister, on July 27, 2021. During the session, Minister Bartlett emphasized that Africa is the new frontier for tourism, as his ministry is actively working to strengthen ties between Jamaica and the continent of Africa. The Minister and High Commissioner discussed increasing air connectivity between Jamaica and Nigeria and the establishment of a satellite Centre for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) based in Jamaica. 

This discussion comes on the heels of a recent visit to Kenya, where Minister Bartlett, who is also Co-Chair of the GTRCMC and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and Chairman of the GTRCMC – Eastern Africa, Najib Balala signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for the two centres to work together to develop policy and conduct relevant research on destination preparedness, management, and recovery.

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Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Tourism
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Telephone: 876-920-4924

By: LALAINE C. DELMENDO | January 27, 2021

Global Property Guide

(GTRCMC MOU Signing 1) Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and Chairman of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) – Eastern Africa, Hon. Najib Balala (2nd left), presents a cheque for Ksh 10 million (US$ 100,000) to Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair the GTRCMC – Jamaica, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd right) to support activities at the East Africa Centre

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 16, 2021. Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and Chairman of the GTRCMC – Eastern Africa, Hon. Najib Balala today (July 16) signed a ground-breaking memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for the two Centres to work together to develop policy and conduct relevant research on destination preparedness, management and recovery.

The signing took place during the Tourism Recovery Summit for African Ministers of Tourism currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya, where Minister Bartlett was invited to speak in his capacity as a well-respected global thought leader on tourism resilience and recovery.

Minister Bartlett lauded the MOU signing, as “a huge leap for policy research.  It will allow these two Centres to collaborate in forecasting, mitigating and managing risks related to tourism resilience caused by various disruptive factors.  This is truly an exciting opportunity.”  The GTRCMC – East Africa at Kenyatta University, is a regional satellite centre of the international GTRCMC, located at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica. 

“This is particularly relevant as we navigate and respond to the challenges brought on by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. We must be at the forefront of coordinating responses, surveillance and monitoring, and organizing economic relief efforts within and across borders. Collaborations such as this are both critical and timely,” the Minister said.

Paris, July 12th, 2021

The State of the African Diaspora is proud to announce this historical piece of news : last week, the Government of Belgium officially presented its roadmap for restitution. During a press conference, Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State in charge of Sciences declared :

“Time has come to give back to DRC the artifacts stolen by Belgium, they belong to the Congolese people “.

Most of these artifacts were stolen in a context of massacres and crimes against humanity during King Leopold’s reign -between 6 and 12 millions Africans died in Congo during that time, according to the experts.

Royal Chamber of SOAD

 Paris, July 1st, 2021

On July 1, 2021, on the occasion of the International Day of the African Diaspora, the Royal Chamber of State of the African Diaspora was launched. On this emblematic day, the Prime Minister, Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, issued a Decree that recalls “the essential and vital role our Kings, Queens, Chiefs and Traditional Leaders play in Africa”, and as the Decree explains, this Royal Chamber is created in order to strengthen the family links between Africa and the Diaspora.

The Royal Chamber of the State of the African Diaspora includes many organisations of Kings and Queens, such as :

The High Council of Kings of Africa,

Thousands of sculptures and carvings were taken during the destruction of Benin City in present-day Nigeria

Germany has agreed to return to Nigeria priceless artefacts that were stolen during the colonisation of Africa.

British troops looted thousands of artworks known as the Benin Bronzes from the Kingdom of Benin, in present-day Nigeria, in 1897.

Following auctions, some of the bronzes ended up in museums and private collections across Europe.

They hold deep cultural significance, and there is growing international pressure to give them back.

The fuel shortage we were afraid of has arrived well ahead of schedule and leaving parts of the East Coast running on empty. 

The fuel shortage we were afraid of has arrived well ahead of schedule and leaving parts of the East Coast running on empty. 

CNN NEWS 

Several gas stations along the East Coast ran out of fuel Tuesday as worried drivers aggressively filled their tanks. The run on fuel began after a ransomware attack Friday shut down the Colonial Pipeline, a massive 5,500-mile artery that supplies nearly half of all the gas and diesel used on the East Coast. As of Tuesday, most of the pipeline remained offline. Here’s the latest: 

• Bone dry: On Tuesday, 8.5% of gas stations in North Carolina and nearly 8% in Virginia didn't have gasoline, according to GasBuddy, a site that tracks fuel prices and demand. Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina also reported outages. Even GasBuddy itself reported website outages as result of “extreme traffic.” 

• Prices spike: As demand shot up, the national price at the pump hit $2.985 on Tuesday, the highest level in nearly six years, according to AAA.
  
• Emergency measures: Virginia's governor declared a state of emergency. Georgia, North Carolina and other state governments also stepped in to ease supply concerns. The EPA issued an emergency fuel waiver. 
  
  
• A plea: US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urged Americans not to hoard gas. The company that operates the pipeline expected it to be substantially operational by the end of the week.
  
  
• The dreaded I-word: Concerns about inflation and supply chain disruptions sparked a selloff on Wall Street (more on that later). 

THE TAKEAWAY 

Sistas of D Ankh and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle welcome Winston Wellington, Chairman of Negril Education Environment Trust, ( NEET) and Jean Brown, Master Teacher, to Child’s Month Program. The event is staged around the achievements of NEET, its principles, discipline, vision and mission, will showcase its successful graduates and current students. To access the Virtual Programme, use the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3898417079 or log on to Zoom.com and type in the User ID: 389-841-7079

In tribute to Mothers on May 9th Mother's Day, Sistas of D Ankh and Ma'at Sisterhood Circle presents a Mother's Day Tribute by Charlie Bobus, Resident  & International Motivational Poet {Time: About 1:10 p.m.)

Joining Mr Winston Wellington will be Jean P. Brown, Master Teacher, formerly with Negril All Age School. Miss Brown is one of the Facilitators of NEET and has been responsible for the program’s success. A Tablet in every child’s hand and computer in every classroom is NEET’s Motto which has guided the program from obscurity to a household name in the parish of Westmoreland.

The tablet program is the foundation of NEET’s mission and goal. The organization aims to provide educational resources to underprivileged youth in Jamaica. We believe by doing this we can reduce crime in the country and ultimately provide opportunities for kids to achieve their dreams. There are many children who with a helping hand can go on to become the stars they were born to be. Join Sistas of D Ankh and Ma’at Sisterhood Circle this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. to welcome Mr Winston Wellington and Jean P. Brown and hear about their Student Exchange Program to Japan and Epcot Center, Florida.