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Africa does not need sympathy or aid, we need a fair chance to trade with the rest of the world - Mahama tells UN

Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Africa is a continent on the rise and one that needs fair trade and not the usual aid and development assistance.

‘‘Africa does not need your sympathy or Overseas Development Assistance. Africa needs a fair chance to trade with the rest of the world and amongst ourselves,’‘ Mahama said when he took his turn to address theUNGA on Wednesday.

According to him, one of the underlying factors behind the migration crisis affecting the continent and troubling Europe was the lack of fairness in trade. This he said forces many youth in sub Saharan Africa to sell off their investments and try seeking greener pastures across the ocean.

‘‘Some of the young Africans who hazard the desert and Mediterranean Sea to cross to Europe from my country are young poultry farmers or other entrepreneurs who sell their shops and undertake the journey because they can no longer compete with the tons of frozen chicken dumped on African markets annually, or the adverse business environment they have to face,’‘ Mahama said.

In his view, Africa was up to the task of taking care of itself because ‘‘we have the resources in this world to guarantee each person a decent life.’‘

He recalled how the European Union in trying to curb unregulated migration had created an emergency fund of 1.8 billion euros in Valetta, he added that with land, natural resources and youthful labour to Africa’s advantage, there was a need to reset trade relations to allow Africa to compete with the west.

‘‘Removing subsidies to farmers of the advanced world, would create an even playing field for African farmers to compete. Removing revenue and non revenue barriers to African produce would give African agriculture a fighting chance.

‘‘We can achieve a lot in collaboration with the rest of the world and yet we must realize that a lot rests within our own capacity to achieve as Africans,’‘ he added.

The Ghanaian president who heads into crucial elections in December also spoke about the fledging democratic space in Africa despite the need for reforms and adjustments to the concept of democracy.

‘‘Democracy unleashes the creative juices of citizens. Africa has made remarkable progress. Elections are held regularly, civil society groups and think tanks have become more vocal, and the media is increasingly free.

‘‘And yet there is a lot more that can be done to allow Africans the space to express themselves. Democracy is not a one size fits all system. Different countries are at different stages of the democratic journey,’‘ he asserted.

He also tasked foreign governments to stop interfering in the internal politics of African countries citing how such interference has end up ravaging parts of north Africa.

‘‘Democracy evolves and cannot be forced. It doesn’t help for bigger powers to go proselytizing democracy. It can have its negative consequences as we are experiencing in parts of North Africa and the Middle East.’‘

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife have pledged more than $3bn towards an ambitious plan to rid the world of disease.

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife have pledged more than $3bn towards an ambitious plan to rid the world of disease.

The Facebook founder and his wife, paediatrician Priscilla Chan, said the goal was to "cure, prevent or manage all disease within our children's lifetime".

Investment will go towards research into cancer and infectious disease as well as heart and neurological disease, the couple said.

The plans were revealed during an event in San Francisco for their philanthropic group, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, on Wednesday.

Dr Chan said they launched the initiative following the birth of daughter Max last year, with the goal of dramatically improving the lives of all other children in her generation.

She recalled experiences of telling parents their child had an incurable disease or could not be revived, and said her role as a doctor had made her determined to work with scientists to help save lives.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative mission statement states: "We want every child to grow up in a better world.

"Our hopes for the future centre on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality.

"We'll focus first on personalised learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities.

"We will make long-term investments over 25, 50 or even 100 years because our greatest challenges require time to solve."

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

Today being 21st September, marks  "International Day of Peace", dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in acombat zone for humanitarian aid access.  "The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It was brought into being by United Nations Resolutions in 1981 and 2001.The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and peoples!! Lets join hands in promoting ideals of peace both within and among nations and people....Peace is not just about the absence of war. Its about transforming our societies and uniting our global community to work together for more peaceful, just and sustainable world. Lets be part of it....

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Domestic Violence is a serious crime. An obnoxious act that sums up all forms of abuse by a person against another in a domestic setting (family, intimate relationship). It can also affect people of any age.
It has been a chronic epidemic that has not only threatened but destroyed lives beyond numbers.
Domestic violence can take a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional,economic, religious, and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to violent physical abuse such as female genital mutilation and acid throwing that results in disfigurement or death, stoning,bride burning, honor killings, dowry deaths inter alia.

Globally, the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women, and women tend to experience more severe forms of violence. In some countries, domestic violence is often seen as justified, particularly in cases of actual or suspected infidelity on the part of the woman, and is legally permitted. Research has also shown there to be a direct and significant correlation between a country's level of gender equality and actual rates of domestic violence against women. But then, no matter the basis on which the act is carried out, should not be supported or justified.

Seeing these disturbing pictures did not only give me goosebumps but left my mind in a ragging torrent state flooded with unsearchable thoughts... The degree of  physical, mental-psychological damage inflicted on this individual which could lead to severe post- traumatic stress disorder strengthened my conviction about human ineradicable tendency towards evil.

And my question has always been. Why the women? Why do they always fall victim to domestic violence? Why her?
 A man is born through a woman. He is raised by a woman. He falls in love with a woman. and he marries a woman. But it's baffling as to why he does not respect a woman.
She is your mum, sister, aunt, wife and daughter, she deserves your appreciation
#SayNoToAllFormsOfVIolenceAgainstWomen
#UniteToEndViolenceAganstWomen

War Against Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) in Africa

Africa has a multicultural society with innumerable tribes and ethnic groups enriched with diverse customs that are unique to them throunghout the continent. 

However, some of these customs and traditions such as Female circumcision has been a prevalent issue in most parts of Africa, which has over the years availed Africans no progress, rather inflicted excruciating agony in the lives of young African girls and women.

Many girls barely into their adolescence have been and are still subjected to one of the more severe forms of Female Genital Mutilation - a practice long carried out in many African countries, like Senegal, Mali, Djibouti,Sierra leone Nigeria,Somalia etc.  

In these places where it's been practised, FGM is considered an essential part of raising a girl and preparing her for womanhood and marriage. With its direct link the beliefs about premarital virginity and marital fidelity, the social pressure to adhere to the practice is intense. 

A study of Child's Rights and development organization Plan Int'l in Mali in 2010, found more than half of all fathers and 1/3 of mothers wanted their girls excised. For such families, its a seal of guarrantee that secures girls against any sexual encounter prior to marriage and protects the family honour.

In spite of the plethora of factors triggering this practise, there aren't any benefits associated with FGM; in fact, female circumcision before and after leads to several unwanted complications related to the natural bodily functions of girls and women. Thousands of girls every year suffer health complications including severe vaginial pain, shock, bleeding and infection. Life long consequences include infidelity, low libido, psychological trauma, childbirth complications and newborn deaths inter alia. 

From verbal threats and physical force, all kinds of methods are used to coerce unwilling girls into submission. In some urban areas, the surgery is even conducted on new born girls before they are 40days old.  Recently, 13years old Soheir Albbatea died in a clinic in Egypt when a doctor was performing the procedure. The girl's death has caused an uproar in the country where FGM legally has been banned but still widely practised, affecting more than 2/3 of women there.

The practice violates a number of fundamental rights outlined under International Protocols. 

In July, 2003, the African Union adopted Maputo Protocol promoting women's rights and calling for an end of FGM. The agreement came into force in November 2005, and by December 2008, 25 member countries had ratified it.

As of 2013, according to a UNICEF report, 24 African countries have legislations or decrees against FGM/C practice.

In 2015, Gambia's president Yahya Jammeh has banned FGM. 

Despite many African countries signing up to international legal frameworks to protect children, traditional laws governing customary practices often override such treaties. But then, through awareness, empowerment and education in areas where it's been practised will bring about eradication campaigns which will go a long way in changing their views on FGM. 

Again, engaging with young people besides parents and elders is a key part of our approach. 

For the sake of our daughters from whose eyes beam promising tomorrow and who brings seeds of change, let's continue to work at home, through the social media, and other available mediums to put an end to FGM.

Support the fight of this scourge.

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