Volume 1 issue 12

www.indoafricatimes.com

MONDAY | MArch 31, 2014 Title Code: DELENG18579 • VOL. 1 • NO. 12 • Page 12 • Price `10

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Good Luck for

NIGERIANamibia honours Nigerian President

President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has already written his name in gold in the archives of Nigerian history.

March 2014 experienced an act of bond and friendship from the African country, Namibia to Nigeria.

On the occasion of 24th Independence Anniversary of Namibia, the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Hage Geingob honoured the President of Nigeria, H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in Windhoek. President Jonathan was conferred with the "Order of Welwitschia", Namibia's highest national honour, by his counterpart, President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

The ordinance took place at the capacity-filled Independence Stadium, Windhoek and was graced by big personalities like the founding president and Father of the Namibian nation, Sam Nujoma together with cabinet ministers, members of the Namibian parliament and other senior citizens.

During the event, Mr. Pohamba proclaimed that the honour is given to recognize the selfless contributions by the government and the people of Nigeria to Namibia's national liberation struggle. He added that the contributions were profoundly embossed in the chronicle of Namibian history and the country would forever be grateful.

Mr. Pohamba also noted that despite the geographic distance, Nigeria played a prominent role along with the frontline states in supporting the liberation movements in Southern Africa, including SWAPO of Namibia.

Mr. Jonathan also paid accolade to the elder statesman and leading Pan-Africanist, Nujoma, and all Namibia freedom fighters for their vision and personal sacrifices which contributed in the freedom struggle of Namibia.

The President of Nigeria repeated that Nigeria and Namibia had come a long way in bilateral relations, starting from the time of the struggle against colonialism and racial domination. He evoked that Nigeria and Namibia worked side by side, shoulder to shoulder with faith and commitment in common destiny.

President Donald Kaberuka

reiterates his belief in Africa’s

emergence

See, Feel AnD Believe: GABOn

The PeArl OF AFricA: UGAnDA

MKU: evOlvinG MODern DAY WArFAre

Trans-Kalahari railway

deal signed

President of Nigeria h.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

pg 03

Wassupafrica02

The Africa CEO Forum 2014, one of the most important gatherings of African business leaders officially opened in Geneva on March 17.

Organized by the publishing house Groupe Jeune Afrique in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the second Africa CEO Forum boasted “680 participants, speakers and journalists from more than 38 countries.”

This level of participation is already a measure of the success of this year’s Africa CEO Forum, whose mission is to bring together economic actors from French- and English-speaking Africa to strengthen regional ties, and promote public-private sector dialogue with the goal of building an environment conducive to new business development. The goal of the Forum is to further stimulate African entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity on the continent.

Africa CEO Forum 2014: President Donald Kaberuka reiterates his belief in Africa’s emergence

World Bank injects more funds in roads, agriculture sectors

The opening ceremony, chaired by Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank, and Amir Ben Yahmed, Managing Director of Groupe Jeune Afrique and Chair of the Africa CEO Forum, recalled the primary purpose of this major event.

“When there is discussion around the African economy, there are so many different views. I am sure you will hear all these versions. The reality is that they all reflect a certain reality,” President Kaberuka said. “One thing is certain, though, and on this there is a broad consensus: People agree on the imperative of Africa moving up the regional and global value chains... We are here to figure out how to take Africa to the next stage. From ‘hopeless’, to ‘rising’, to ‘hopeful’ ... The African Development Bank is proud to be your partner in this journey. Together we will take Africa to the next level.”

Amir Ben Yahmed said, “The year 2013 was marked by a 16% increase in foreign direct investment. The IMF is forecasting global growth of 6.5% for 2014. I have lost count of the number of African CEOs who are now part of the international rankings in the financial press. However, we cannot ignore the fact that most of the emerging countries, which only a few months ago were considered the engines of the world economy, are today transforming into weak links. So, with this in mind, we thought we should use this occasion of the second edition of

the Africa CEO Forum to take a step back and reflect on ways to accelerate the transformation of our continent.

The first day of the Africa CEO Forum, which featured one plenary session and two knowledge sessions devoted to key topics such as the competitiveness of African companies and the issue of local transformation of the continent’s natural resources, was enriched by the contributions of several high-profile speakers from Africa and the rest of the world.

“We have a current competitiveness and it will persist only if Africa continues to wake up,” said Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and the Digital Economy.

“This issue of competitiveness is critical if we want to continue and attract foreign investments, to develop human capital, promote employment and continue to develop the middle class and the local markets that these CEOs represent,” added Amir Ben Yahmed.

“Our States must define their industrial strategies,” said Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Thanks to its rich and substantive program, composed of high-level sessions and one-to-one business meetings, the Africa CEO Forum 2014 has become the place to be for all those driving the continent’s growth.

AfDB

Road infrastructure and agricultural productivity could be boosted as the World Bank approved yet another $60.9 million (about Rwf47 billion) for the sector.

The funds, agreed upon in Washington, US, recently, will help government refurbish roads and intensify farmers’ agricultural productivity as part of the strategy to reduce poverty and enhance shared prosperity throughout the country, according to Caroyn Turk, the Bank’s country manager.

“Today’s financing provides additional support to the already existing government’s efforts to improve and diversify the country’s agriculture sector and infrastructure as a key strategy to fight poverty by ensuring food security, and improved healthcare,” Turk said

Some $45m (about Rwf30bn) will be injected in upgrading about 270 kilometres of roads in Karongi, Rwamagana, Gisagara and Nyamasheke districts in Western Province, Tesfamichael

Nahusenay Mitiku, the Bank’s team leader for the Feeder Road Development Project, said.

“Insufficient all-season road connectivity has contributed to high transport costs and created difficulties for farmers seeking to improve their agricultural productivity and incomes,” Nahusenay said.

Finanance and Economic Planning minister Claver Gatete said the funding is in line with the country’s second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2) agenda of promoting rural development and agriculture transformation with significant

impact on poverty reduction.Valens Mwumvaneza, the

Bank’s team leader for Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP), said $15.9 million (about Rwf10 billion) will be injected in the third RSSP that focuses on activities that would increase and diversify agriculture production.

This will contribute to government’s achievements of EDPRS2 by boosting productivity for some of the country’s poorest farmers and benefit about 101,500 farmers by 2018. Recently, World Bank and government signed an Rwf47 billion deal for social protection programmes.

New Times

Government of Rwanda needs to urgently revise its national strategy against cancer to ensure more timely detection and treatment, experts and activists have said. The call comes just days after the latest World Health Organisation’s report indicated that developing countries are expected to bear the brunt of a significant increase in new cancer cases over the next two decades.

According to WHO 2014 World Cancer Report, developing countries in Africa, Asia, as well as Central and South America account for more than 60 per cent of the world’s new cancer cases and around 70 per cent of the world’s cancer deaths.

The report adds that 14 million new cancer cases were reported across the world in 2012, with that figure expected to rise to 22 million cases by 2032. Cancer deaths are also projected to go up from 8.2 million a year to 13 million a year. The reasons given for this ailment hitting developing countries harder range from aging populations, to higher rates of infection-related cancers, and cancers associated with industrialised lifestyles.

And it’s only going to get worse if these regions do not invest more in screening and prevention. Cancer rates in developing countries are “made worse by the lack of early detection and access to treatment,”

Government urged to scale up interventions

the report reads in part. Dr. Tharcisse Mpunga the Medical Director of Butaro Cancer Centre of Excellence, Northern Province, called for more commitment on the side of the government to check the spread of the disease. “There is need to revise the national strategic plan against cancer to cater for new cases,” Mpunga said.

“We receive an average of about 60 patients per day. This is an indication that cancer is actually a big concern,” he added. He cited breast cancer in women and lymphoma in men as the commonest cancers in the country.

A study conducted between 2007 and 2013 by RBC indicates that 4,615 people were diagnosed with different cancers in the country, the most common being breast cancer, with 15.8 per cent. Cervical cancer came close, with 15.6 per cent, while stomach cancer and uterine cancer were at nine and 5.5 per cent, respectively. Mpunga also decried the shortage of cancer treatment facilities which makes control of the disease difficult.

“If only we could acquire at least one radiotherapy machine for the whole country, it would be a milestone,” he said. Mpunga noted that since cancer treatment is not covered by Mituelle de Sante (a community based health insurance scheme), it is increasingly difficult for the poor to access care.

New Times

Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank

MONDAY | MArch 31, 2014

Wassupafrica 03Trans-Kalahari railway deal signed Tunisia hopes Star Wars will

rescue its tourismTunisia is working against the clock to salvage its 2014 tourist season after three turbulent years, by revamping the country’s image - with the help of online media and a few Star Wars characters.

“To change a country from one that is relatively inexpensive to a top-end tourist destination will take 10 or 15 years,’’ said Amel Karboul, Tunisia’s new tourism minister.

The North African country hopes to welcome seven million tourists this year, a slight increase on the 6.9 million who visited in 2010 before the revolution that ousted a decades-old dictatorship and unleashed outbreaks of Islamist violence that damaged Tunisia’s reputation.

The number of tourists fell to just 4.7 million in 2011, and has only recovered slowly, affecting the estimated 400,000 people working in the key sector that accounts for around seven per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

To reverse this trend, the ministry decided to exploit the desert settings used for many scenes in the Star Wars films, in a Tunisian version of the music video hit “Happy’’ by Pharrell Williams, replicated on YouTube by people around the world dancing to the tune. “Happy (We are from Tatooine),’’ commissioned by the ministry, features a range of characters from Star Wars boogying in and around the city of Tataouine, including the iconic droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, a stormtrooper and Darth Vader himself.

The southern desert city gave its name to the fictional home planet of Anakin and Luke Skywalker-key figures in the cult film series. The “Star Wars Tunisia’’ edition of the Pharrell Williams video has already received nearly 1.5 million hits.

“There are fans (of the sci-fi films) in the United States, in Scandinavia, in Asia, in South America, where Tunisia is barely known,’’ the minister told a group of journalists last week. “It will raise awareness of Tunisia,’’ she said of her strategy to harness social media as a way of publicising the country.

Conventional advertising campaigns “are extremely expensive

A railway line connecting Botswana to the Namibian Atlantic coast is finally about to be developed, following the signing of the agreement between the two countries last week at Bird Island near Walvis Bay.

The 1 500 kilometres long railway line would traverse the vast semi-arid, sandy savannah of the Kalahari Desert from Botswana to Namibia, with the sole benefit of connecting the land-locked Botswana to Namibia’s port of Walvis Bay, thus unlocking the value of coal mining in Botswana and power generation in the region.

The railway line mirrors the existing Trans-Kalahari Highway or corridor, which links Botswana to the port of Walvis Bay, but stretches 1 900 kilometres from Walvis Bay, through Windhoek, Gaborone in Botswana and Johannesburg to Pretoria in South Africa. The just signed Trans-Kalahari railway agreement includes adding a coal terminal and associated loading facilities to the Namibia-Botswana corridor that would benefit other landlocked Southern African

and you’re not sure of their impact; it’s very long term. Tunisia has only limited means,’’ explained Karboul, whose government has a very short-term mandate. Appointed in late January to end months of political uncertainty, it is due to step down after elections held by the end of this year.

Already it has had to deal with the fallout from an incident involving a group of Israeli tourists on a cruise ship who were barred from disembarking at Tunis, with the US-based cruise operator saying it would no longer call at Tunisian ports in protest.

Karboul insisted the case had nothing to do with discrimination, saying merely that there was a problem with the Israelis’ visas. Before the revolution, Tunisia managed to project an image of itself as an attractive holiday destination in the southern Mediterranean, concealing the ruthlessness of the regime in power that was finally overthrown in the first Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Many had hoped to see tourism rebound last year, but those hopes were dashed with the separate assassinations of two secular politicians in attacks that sparked political upheaval and fears of further jihadist violence. Even so, tourism receipts rose by a modest 1.7 percent to 3.23 billion dinars ($2.25 billion) from 2012, although they were 8.3 percent off the figure from 2010.

Karboul said the country “is already safer,’’ adding that growth was starting to recover in Europe, Tunisia’s main tourism market. One of the ministry’s objectives is to promote destinations away from the coast, which have previously attracted little attention.

“The coast is there, but we’re trying to get out the fact that each region has its own character,’’ Karboul said.

Last month, several thousand people got a taste of the diverse tourist attractions on offer, at “Electronic Dunes,’’ a desert music festival held in the southern desert. Karboul acknowledged that Tunisia’s image had to reflect realities, and that certain services needed to be improved to boost tourism, such as rubbish collection, which has been repeatedly disrupted by the social protests and strikes since the revolution.

Eturbonews

Development Community (SADC) countries like Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe by providing alternative transportation routes. Signing the agreement were Namibia’s National Planning Commission Director-General, Tom Alweendo and Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Onkokame Kitso Mokaila. The signing ceremony took place at the exact location where the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) intends to construct the North Port Bulk Container Terminal.

The bulk container terminal would be used to store coal transported via the Trans Kalahari railway, scheduled for completion in 2019.

Construction of the project is expected to cost approximately N$100 billion (about US$9.2 billion). Financing will be sourced through private stakeholders. The Trans-Kalahari Highway was constructed at a cost of N$850 million and opened in 1998. “The development of the TKR and commodity handling facilities in Walvis Bay will go a long way in facilitating the development of

the estimated 212 billion tonnes of the coal resource in Botswana in power generation and others,” Mokaila said last week. Alweendo during the signing ceremony said the agreement is a clear testimony that Africa is on the rise although the continent still faces numerous challenges. “Africa is growing and is no longer the Dark Continent it used to be.

However, the continent has its own challenges of which one is infrastructure. Therefore the Trans-Kalahari railway project is very important to the rest of the continent as well. It has also awakened Africa to realize the importance of investing in our infrastructure,” Alweendo said. He went on to say that the TKR project also serves as encouragement not, only for the SADC region, but for the rest of the continent and suggests that more African countries should undertake projects of this magnitude collectively.

“Such projects will increase trade, create employment and business opportunities for many Africans,” he said. According to Alweendo trade figures between Namibia and Botswana, excluding diamond trading are still under N$300 million, hence the importance of the railway since it will significantly increase trade figures. “The TKR will stimulate economic growth, employment and diversification in our two countries,” said Mokaila. Also attending the signing ceremony were the Namibian Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein and the Minister of Mines and Energy, Erkki Nghimtina. Additional reporting by Eveline de Klerk in Walvis Bay.

By Desie Heita, Staff Reporter, New Era

FRoM page 01

"Even though we are geographically distant from each other, Nigeria was proud to identify with Namibia as it did with other brotherly countries in this sub-region.

"Your struggle was our struggle, your pains were our pains and today, your freedom is our freedom," he added.

In accord with the order of succession in the Nigerian constitution following President Umaru Yar'Adua's death on 5 May 2010, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 6 May 2010, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State. Dr. Jonathan has been conferred with several local and international awards.

He was voted the ‘Best performing Deputy Governor’ in 2002 by IPAN, given the ‘Democracy and Good Governance Award’ by Nigeria Union of Journalists in 2004. The Africa International News magazine league conferred on him the ‘Niger Delta Development Award’; the Nigerian Bar Association, the ‘Distinguished Personality’ award in 2006, and the All African Students Union in South Africa, the ‘Africa Leadership Award 2006’.

Moreover, the Nigerian Union of Teachers voted him the ‘Best Performing Governor in Education in the South-South’ in 2006. He was also acknowledged by the International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP) in 22 July 2006,

with ‘Ambassador for Peace Merit Award’ as well as the ‘Leadership and Good Governance Merit Award’.

Jonathan was born in what is now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers. Jonathan holds a B.Sc. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours.

He holds a M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a PhD degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. Before he entered politics in 1998, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is married to Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, and the union is blessed with children.

President Goodluck Jonathan conferred with the Namibia highest national honour- “Order of Welwitschia”

Namibia’s National Planning commission Director General, Tom Alweendo and Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water resources Onkokame Kitso Mokaila at the signing ceremony

mONDAY | mArch 31, 2014

One of the most naturally exquisite and most prosperous countries in

Sub-Saharan Africa, Gabon is truly a paradise on earth. Gabon is the talk of the town when it comes to eco-tourism, thanks to the government designating 10 percent of the country’s land to national parks. Gabon’s economy is dominated by oil. Oil revenues comprise roughly 46% of the Government’s budget, 43% of gross domestic product (GDP), and 81% of exports. The chief products of Gabon’s industrial sector include refined petroleum, chemicals, food and beverages, textiles, and wood products.

Emerging GabonGabon’s Government has

launched an ambitious public investment and reform program to transform the central African country into a diversified emerging market economy by 2025. Gabon’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s) play a key role in Emerging Gabon’s industrial overhaul.

The creation of Special Economic Zones offers a number of fiscal benefits to investors:» Nkok Special Economic Zone:

1,100 hectares near the capital, Libreville.

» Mandji Tax-Free Zone: 1,500 hectares near Gabon’s business capital, Port-Gentil.The current and future Special

Economic Zones will make it promising to build branched out clusters, “New, specialist cities”, with a noteworthy latent for

The Gabonese Republic is one of West Africa’s most stable countries and boasts one of the highest incomes per capita, thanks to its oil wealth. Abundant natural resources and foreign private investment have combined to make Gabon as favoured investment destination. It is a mineral rich country which is set to become one of the world’s leading producers of manganese.

Gabon aT a GLanCE

Official Name Gabonese Republic

Head of State H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba

Capital Libreville

Area 267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles), similar in size to Colorado

Population 1.5 million (World Bank data), 80% urban

Governement Multi-party democracy

Time Zone GMT + 1

Country Dialling Code +241

Currency Central African CFA franc (XAF)

Major Exports Crude oil, Timber, Manganese

Major Imports Machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials

Climate Equatorial. June to September plus a few weeks in December to January are dry. The rest of the year is hot and humid. Average max temps: 290 C (850 F) in February to April, Average min temps: 220 C (720 F) in July.

Official Language French

countryoftheWeek04

GABON

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see, feel and Believe

Each of the three landscape types (Coast, savannah and forest) is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife such as chimps, elephants, river hogs, birdlife, whales, turtles, hippos etc.

A country investing for its future

12 billion USD for public investment over the next six years to support economic development:» Development of competitive

and integrated transport infrastructure.

Roads:» Tarring of over 3,600 km of

roads carrying 80% of traffic;» Development of main north-

south and east-west national roads;

Ports:» Modernization and expansion

of two main ports;» Construction of a new deep-

water port in southwest Gabon;Waterways:» Construction of river ports;» Development of a part of the

3,300km of inland waterways;

» Improvement of electricity generation capacity to reach 2,000 MW by 2020;

» Construction of three hydroelectric dams;

» Construction of a natural gas fired power plant;

» High-speed internet connection from 2012 to the underwater ACE fibreoptic cable.

A country open to investors» Quality public administration

service for investors;» The Private Investment

Promotion Agency for company registration;

» The Chamber of Commerce and Industry for business and economic information;

» The creation of special economic zones offering a number of fiscal benefits to investors.All in all this fascinating

country is one of the continent’s most stable countries. Gabon is an upper-middle income country with per capita income four times the sub-Saharan African average.

the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fibre-optic cable, running 12,000 kilometres along the continent’s western coastline and connecting 13 countries from France to Sao Tome & Principe, went live. It has now more than tripled connection speeds, from 1.2 to 4.9 gigabits per second. It will definitely help Gabon’s citizens, businesses and institutions, constitutes to rank foremost among the Gabonese Government’s priorities for the future. In 2010, significant reductions in internet access costs were introduced nationwide as part of a forward- thinking plan to ensure the emergence of a digital economy by 2016.

A Land of DiscoveryTrees and water are the

symbols of Gabon combine in thousand different ways and in all three natural dimensions to create an infinite number of never ending landscapes. A large part of the country is covered by spectacular tropical rainforest criss-crossed by innumerable rivers, with the Ogooue’, some 1200 km long, majestically illustrating the diversity of Gabon’s landscapes. Nature lovers will be enthralled by the fauna and flora of the national parks and nature reserves, home to species that, without this protection, would face extinction. The sandy beaches, forest and savannah offer a rich variety of wildlife; the Ogooue’ runs alongside a plethora of mangrove swamps, islands, lakes, mountains, and canyons.

Gabon’s extensive coastline makes it a prime location for fishing, water and beach sports, with a tropical climate of 25 to 30 degree C throughout the year. A wide selection of modern hotels provides accommodation to those wishing to unwind or try out different water sports (Water skiing, wind surfing or surfing) or land based pursuits such as golf and tennis. Libreville has an 18 – hole golf course, situated on an undulating site facing the sea.

making direct and indirect jobs. In this way, Emerging Gabon will allow diversified investment and foster the development of enterprises that are champions in their domain, with weight at regional and international level, which in turn will boost the activity of the entire SME sector. Tomorrow’s emerging Gabon will be integrated into global economic networks, no longer only through its oil and mineral resources, but also through its enterprises and the influence of its citizens.

A Prosperous SME SectorThe number of SME’s in Gabon

has increased by 22.3% between 2010 and 2011. The IT and commercial sectors have shown the largest increases: 23.5% rise in the number of IT related SMEs and 21.3% in specialty retail and wholesale trade and import. The Government of Gabon is enhancing the bonds between local SME’s and foreign partners. The President has made it clear that he does not want the economy to rely solely on the oil and mining sectors which accounts for close to 50% of GDP, 60% of the tax revenue and 80% of the exports. Gabon is inviting foreign investors to invest in this prosperous sector.

Enhanced Internet connectivity

2013 was the year of Internet Connectivity in Gabon. The country was connected to the internet via the SAT-3 submarine cable and by satellite. On December 19, 2012,


BusinessBuzz 05Is Saya emerging as a competitor of WhatsApp??

An innovative and fresh Ghana-based chat application, Saya has a

brought new boom in the country and has gained huge popularity amongst mobile phone round the globe. Discovered in 2012, Saya is a true substitute for text messaging like WhatsApp but the app is built for feature phones only. A pass out from Accra-based Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, Robert Lamptey explored Saya to resolve the problem of expensive SMS messaging faced by most feature phones users. The app has attracted users from 35 countries across the globe and is keenly used in developing countries outside Africa such as Syria, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Lamptey outlines that Saya has been popular among

NESCAFÉÒ ‘My Own Business'

World's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestle Kenya plans to recruit one hundred entrepreneurs in its NESCAFÉÒ 'My Own Business' which will assist to manage the escalating youth unemployment and also lift sales. Confirming to Managing Director, Svetlana Obruchkova, the programme, initiated in 2012, is already upbringing a new set of entrepreneurs in the country who will now be able to earn up to Sh500 per day in profits. Further, he expressed, "We have over 50 kits in operation in the country and about 30 youths running their own coffee businesses that are recording commendable returns."

As part of the recruitment drive, Nestlé Kenya by way of existing vendors in high density market areas identifies youth who after undergoing prerequisite training, are given free NESCAFÉÒ kits. The activities are overseen by Nestlé professionals who delivers operators with equipment, guidance and extra training.

users in the revolutions in Egypt, Syria and Libya. The service in the beginning offered group messaging for non-smartphones but has now expanded to the smartphone market as well. The initial acceptance of the new app came as a surprise to Lamptey and his co-founder Badu Boahen. The application went viral with nearly 400,000 downloads in its first two months.

Commenting on this, CEO of Saya Mobile expressed, “Five months after the launch we got 14m people who had been invited by their friends to use the service. We realized that each person was inviting about 100 people to join. There was this guy in India who had 120 people on his phonebook using Saya. We contacted him and he told us he found it useful. Lamptey attributes the victory

of Saya Mobile to his family background and upbringing in a household where striving to be the best was encouraged. He further articulated, “I was one of the few kids in the neighbourhood who had a chemistry lab [and] who dismantled TVs. I was a science student. I used to win all the literature awards in school. My father always taught me to be the best in everything I did. Even if I wanted to be a footballer, there was one rule: be the best.”

Lamptey told we stepped up in Africa with the moving of Saya into enterprise messaging, a venture that will aid the company to monetise. He explains that Saya Mobile waited this long because there was “no clear way to monetise.” He stated,

“Most of the ways to monetise involved premium SMS and the margins were not good because telcos would take about 75% of the amount and the company providing a short code would also take a cut. The math just didn’t make sense,” he says. “I think for us the right conditions were not available. If we had been in Kenya where M-Pesa was started, it would have been easy to plug in M-Pesa into the app.” Saya Mobile has raised funding in the

“hundreds of thousands of dollars” to cover its operating costs and technology development.

Airtel and Manchester United ties a knot

Nokia X bangs the African market with AirtelThe best of signature Nokia experience

With remarkable presence in nearly 20 countries across Asia and Africa,

Bharti Airtel and Nokia have broadcasted that the new Nokia X smartphone will be available for purchase across 17 countries in Africa by mid April 2014. Exclusively designed for consumers in high-growth markets, the reasonable Nokia X provides access to the world of Android™ apps. Out of the box, they can enjoy signature Nokia experiences including

free* HERE Maps, with true offline maps and integrated turn-by-turn navigation. Also, the Nokia X family is an affordable presentation to the most popular Microsoft services, involving free cloud storage using OneDrive and Outlook.com.

Not to mention, the flagship Nokia X, is attractively designed with Nokia’s signature design approach. The handset possess a 4” capacitive display and interchangeable back covers that come in a variety of exciting colors. Internally, the device functions on the Nokia X Software Platform and is powered by a1Ghz dual core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™

A pioneer in telecommunications sector, Bharti Airtel and popular

English football club, Manchester United, have publicized details of a new mobile application created to get its active fans in Africa closer to the club. Manchester United’s new Club application awards comprehensive mobile access enabling fans to have the latest club news, exclusive videos, match highlights, live in-game updates, player profiles and much more – all of which is absolutely free for Airtel Africa’s subscribers. This app is accessible free to download from iOS and Android, with additional exclusive content presented to Airtel subscribers for free. This new app award the fans to get the latest news, views and information from the Club. Worth mentioning, Manchester United was identified as the fastest sports organization to reach one million followers on Twitter and

processor. The icing on the cake is the tile-based icons that provide the Nokia X’s user interface a fresh and innovative look, while by the advanced Fastlane feature makes switching between preferred apps and content even smoother.

Remarking on the partnership, Airtel Africa Chief Marketing Officer, Andre Beyers stated, “This is yet another first from Airtel and Nokia.

As Africa’s largest Internet provider, we are excited that Airtel customers in 17 countries will be amongst the first in the world to enjoy a unique

combination of Nokia’s stunning design and user experience integrated with a wide range of services. In addition, Nokia X will come with data bundles for our customers to access their favorite social sites and chat applications.”

Further, Timo Toikkanen, Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia expressed, “We are delighted to partner with Airtel to offer the Nokia X smartphone. Consumers can enjoy their favourite apps, the best of signature Nokia experiences and the most popular Microsoft Internet and cloud services, wrapped-up on a smartphone that holds-on the Nokia promise.”

Google+ and is credibly known to be the fastest growing Premier League club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This also permits the customers to involve with their favorite club.

Expressing on the launch of the Club app, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel Africa, commented, “Football is one of the biggest passion points for many Africans and we look for innovative ways to provide value to our subscribers. Manchester United’s Club App will offer exclusive free content for our subscribers over the normal content that will be pushed through this App.

The launch of this application goes on to further cement our partnership with Manchester United Football Club and we look forward to hosting this application on our mobile network allowing fans to get closer to their favorite club.”


The term medical tourism is applied in common dialect to explain the occurrence of foreign patients looking for healthcare

in another country at better equipped hospitals and/or at rates comparatively cheaper than in their home countries.

India is emerging as a global healthcare provider because of its capability to offer world-class expertise at developing world costs. There has been a proliferation of new healthcare facilities at private centres of medical excellence in India.

High-class medical infrastructure amenities, coupled with enhanced and cheaper air connections and easy access to visa facilities, are some of the factors that have contributed to the emerging scenario. The Chennai based

Apollo group of hospitals was one of the first to receive international patients, mainly people from the United Kingdom seeking cataract surgery in the early 1990s. India is alleviated with many hospitals offering world class treatments in all fields of medicine such as cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, diabetes, spine and joint replacement, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, Dentistry, Pulmonology, General Medicine. While a large number of the private hospitals in India willing to provide medical treatment to patients regardless of nationality, only a few are in the front position of encouraging the health hospitality mix.

with any other part of Asia. Spa treatments, Yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy have always tempted tourists to India. Throughout the country, there are innumerable health spas, relaxation and meditation centers that offer therapeutic healing of the body, mind and soul. The comfort, calm, and reassurance of the treatments can perk up the body’s well-being by heightening its own inherent curing abilities, and can promote a sense of tranquility, and peace.

India had launched the Pan-African e-network in 2007, with the aim to link all the secretariats of the Heads of States of 53 African nations. It was also providing tele-education

and telemedicine facilities by linking hospitals in Africa with super-specialty hospitals in India.

Current developments in healthcare relations between India and Africa are striking particularly the Pan African e-Network. The system of telemedicine, based on the use of electronic Information Communication and Technology,

shares India’s quality healthcare with African counterparts.

At present the network extends online medical services through tele consultation, by linking the 12 specialty hospitals in India to practitioners on the African continent. Ethiopia was selected for the e-network pilot project in 2007. Tele-education programmes between Addis Ababa University, Haramaya learning centres, and the Black Lion and Nekempte hospitals in Ethiopia with Care Hospital in Hyderabad were established.

The AU has short-listed three chief regional universities and two regional hospitals for participation in the e-network.

These include Makerere University in Uganda, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, the University of Yaounde in Cameroon, Ibadan Hospital in Nigeria, and the Brazzaville Hospital in the Republic of Congo.

As a part of the telemedicine project, live consultation is being accessible for one hour every day to each of the 53 member’s states of the AU in 18 medical disciplines, ranging from cardiology, neurology and urology to gynecology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and paediatrics. The project also extends skill improvement through the sharing of information with medical personnel in African countries through its continuing medical education (CME) programme. It is however at a

fRaNkLY sPeaKinG06

africa is india’s Medical health tourist

Initially I was not aware that India is doing medical tourism with our country. I am totally surprised to witness the technologies available with India in this sector. We salute the efforts made by India in medical sector especially in manufacturing generic medicines.

SHRI. AnAnd SHARmA Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

H.E. mRS. RAymondE GoUdoU CoFFIEMinister of Health, Cote d’Ivoire

By kirit soBti, editor, [email protected]

The African healthcare sector is a new treasure trove for Indian investors. With almost

every sector booming in its own pace and marking its presence globally, the other side of the coin is a proof that Africa still has to travel miles to achieve the elementary level of health infrastructure.

Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Medanta Group of Hospitals at the 10th CII EXIM Bank Conclave asserted, “Cooperation in sharing local-level experiences in healthcare of both the regions will help.” Trehan also quoted that one of the similarities in the healthcare statuses of both the economies is that communicable diseases such as malaria still overshadow the developments together with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, anaemia and hypertension.

Ranjan Chakravarti, Head of Transformation and Business Consulting at Ranbaxy, also stepped up noting that, “The setting up of a centralized cell should be explored to address such issues. This will play an effective role in sharing experiences.”

HIV/ AIDS is the major issue of concern in Africa with more and more cases being reported, thus having its impact on African economic growth. A.K. Khanna, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited also asserts that majority of African healthcare providers are aiming on HIV/AIDS. He added, “India has to think of Africa as an opportunity. Medical tourism is very important and it should be developed properly.”

It is true that African countries anticipate huge Indian investment in tertiary healthcare along with affordable medicines resource for its population. Last year also, Hussain Ali Mwinyi, Tanzania’s Health Minister noted that the finest way to enhance abilities was by universal healthcare. Hussain added, “We require good healthcare for the middle class.” And welcomed Indian investors in sector of telemedicine, anticipating that it would surely descend the healthcare expenses.

India’s healthcare developments and expertise can prove to be a boom for African continent as the continent deals with many health issues proving to be barriers in economic growth.

Sharing local level experiences in healthcare

Eighty seven developing countries, their entire health care system is supported by Indian medicines, and we're committed to ensure that even the new generation of life-saving drugs, the Indian pharmaceutical industry will make available to our people and people of developing countries.

Excellent medical care in India• India offers several

super specialty hospitals;

• Affordableandinexpensive costs;

• Vastlyskilled,experienced and trained doctors;

• Stateoftheart,andthetechnological expertise utilized by the doctors is world class and latest;

• First-rateandsafe implants and consumables;

• Thereisvirtuallyzerowait time involved;

• Thehospitalstaffspeaks English very easilyandfluently,thus eradicating any communication gaps or slip-ups.

A large number of the private hospitals in India willing to provide medical treatment to patients regardless of nationality

Over the last two decades, the economic boom in India has led to the ramping up of medical facilities & infrastructure that rival the very best that western medical care that the west has to offer. The promising world of medical tourism is drawing loads of overseas patients especially from Africa. The flourishing medical tourism industry and the various business ties and investment opportunities emerging between India and Africa provide the possibility of affordable, high-quality healthcare for those who can afford to pay for treatment abroad.

India is an enchanting and captivating country. It has been a tourist hot spot and has enticed foreigners predominantly because of its mysticism, spirituality, exotic locales, and rich history and culture.

But, as exceptional standards of medical treatment emerge, and there is a larger demand for low-priced, yet good quality health care, and a vigorous participation of the private sector, foreign patients have started perceiving the country as a perfect destination to have medical treatments. Also as it is mentioned above, India is the home of the largest pharmaceutical industry in the world, which has a self-sufficient drug production and exports drugs to over 180 countries across the globe.

The strongest advantage in favor of India is its ability to provide international quality of medical care at the lowest rates, in comparison

budding stage and the care offered through telemedicine can be limited for surgical treatment and complicated cases that require state-of-the-art technology.


traVeL&touRisM 07

Uganda is a basket full of abundant activities for tourists and visitors to get pleasure from. Wondering why it

is called 'The Pearl of Africa'? Where else can you discover lions lurching across the open savanna as day breaks before white water rafting down the Nile, then the next day set off into the foggy mountains in search of the royal mountain gorillas before conciliating in to watch a local cultural evening around the camp fire?

With 500 species of mammals, Uganda has incredible multiplicity; and with the opening of the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the big five are there. On top of this, Uganda has a good number of chimpanzees and there are several places where one can track them. With well over 1000 species registered inside its borders, Uganda is also one of the best bird-watching destinations in the world.

Wildlife ViewingThere are four national parks in Uganda

that put forward the opportunity for wildlife drives. These are:

• Murchison Falls• Queen Elizabeth

• Kidepo Valley• Lake Mburo With more mammal and bird species than

any park in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth bestows the greatest variety; however, Murchison

Falls offers the larger mammals in greater concentration and also giraffes, which aren't found at Queen Elizabeth. At both parks you're very likely to see elephants, buffaloes, hippos, bushbucks and kobs; and, with a bit of luck you'll also see lions and leopards. Gorilla trekking is one of the chief draws for travellers in Uganda. These gentle giants live in two national parks- Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla.

Splendor Charm of River NileThe Nile, one of the most thrilling and

moving rivers in the world, commences her journey from Lake Victoria in Uganda. The River is incredibly capricious, placid like a

great sheet of water in some places and frothy and frenetic in others. Her puzzling ways have given rise to a whole industry of adventure tourism in Uganda. From white river rafting to gentle fishing, the Nile offers a great deal for the tourist on the lookout for a little zing to spice up his holidays.

The Bujagali Falls which lie downstream on the Nile offer one of the most breathtaking rafting experiences in the world. Relax after

a hectic day of rafting with some wonderful fishing. Sports Fishing is a fun action held in both Lake Victoria and the Murchison National Park. The catch includes the humongous Nile perch, tilapias, barbels and tigerfish.

Dry off after the Nile adventures and get

ready to climb the mountains. Take a trek through the Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park and experience a close encounter of the ferocious kind with the mountain gorillas. It’s an experience that’s unlikely to happen in any other part of the world.

T h e P e a r l o f a f r i c auGanDa


taLkiNGtecHnoLoGy08

The modern day warfare is constantly evolving. It is no longer limited to the

Battlefields. It has now moved to the urban areas where the threat is from terrorists and criminals too. And as the new forms of combat appear, the modern soldier has to be more aware, more informed, more lethal and better protected. To enable the modern soldier to face the new enemy fearlessly, effectively and precisely, MKU has used its expertise and latest technologies to develop armoring solutions to protect the soldier in the most difficult battle scenarios and riotous environment.

Established in 1985 in Kanpur, MKU is today India is leading manufacturer and supplier of ballistic protection

and surveillance equipment for armed, paramilitary & police forces. With its in-house state-of-the-art research and development division and inhouse ballistic testing facility, MKU has developed a range of more than 30 products in 10 categories against more than 1000 threats to meet the needs of its customers in over 100 countries.

Its manufacturing facilities are certified to ISO 9001: 2008, AS 9100 & ISO 14000 standards and it has been honoured with awards from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India on many occasions for its exemplary export performance. With its laudable motto of ‘Saving Lives, Earning Smiles’, MKU brings smiles to the faces of families of

defence and police personnel who put their lives at risk everyday to protect us. For protection of the soldier, MKU manufactures helmets, body armour, shields, de-mining suits and bomb blankets. MKU has developed light-weight body armour which seamlessly integrates with the soldier’s high tech equipments, such as network portable computers, communication kits and power systems, to give him easy mobility and comfort.

According to company sources, MKU has one of the largest production capacities in the world to manufacture over 150,000 bulletproof vests a year. One of its revolutionary inventions, the ‘Instavest’, is the most advanced ballistic jacket

available in the world today. It features a patented quick release jettison system, which divests the vest immediately from the user’s body within a split second. It can then be put back on in 30 seconds and ready for re-use, says Manish Khandelwal, Business Manager (Personal Protection and the inventor of Instavest - a feat unmatched by any competing product in the industry.

In modern combat scenarios, troops need to engage effectively during night. Keeping this in mind, MKU has developed light weight night vision devices: Jaguar 7 – a combat-proven hand held night vision binocular; Jaguar-14 a multi-purpose monocular weighing 260gms; and Night eye—a rugged weapon sight.

MKU – EVOLVING MODERN DAY WARFAREFor vehicle protection, MKU

offers light weight composite panels and kits for naval vessels, land vehicles and helicopters. The Company has armored more than 1500 vehicles in the past five years. It is a fair assessment that the use of body armour and other ballistic protection equipment has increased worldwide in recent times. And as new threats arise and new enemies are born, the need for a wide range of innovative protection and surveillance equipment cannot be over-emphasized.

It is to the brave modern soldier, who constantly lives on the edge, that the new innovations should be dedicated- because victory often lies just beyond the edge.


trysoMethiNGNeW 09

prepration Method1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

ingredients •1cupunsweetenedflakedcoconut•1/4cupcastersugaror1/4cupsuperfine

sugar•3eggyolks•1/2cupself-raisingflour

National Conference on Emerging & Innovative Trends in Computer ScienceThe National conference on Emerging & Innovative Trends in computer Science, organized by the Vasavi college of Engineering will take place from 1st April to the 2nd April 2014 at the Vasavi college of Engineering in hyderabad, India. The conference will cover areas like Local Academy to Meet the contemporary Market Demands, Associated with Eminent Industries to carry-out research, Factset, Infosys, cognizant. date: 01-02 Apr 2014

Venue: Vasavi College of Engineering, Hyderabad, India

Mobile World Conference The conference will cover areas like Lessons from the leading mobile operators, handset manufacturers, content providers and application developers, challenges of developing apps for multiple platform launches, Mobile computing over cloud, Smart devices and the cloud etc. date: 03 Apr 2014

Venue: Mumbai Hotel Kohinoor, Mumbai, India

Zak Interior Exterior ExpoThe Zak Interior Exterior Expo is emerged out as one of the most awaited global exposition where over 200 exhibitors present Interiors, elaborating technology, innovations, equipment and concepts to architects & designers sector. It is organized by ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Private Limited at chennai Trade centre, Tamil Nadu, India and is emerges out as a hub of more than 15,000 visitors. date: 03-06 Apr 2014

Venue: Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India

Hi-Tech Office Expo Chandigarhhi-Tech Office Expo chandigarh which showcases a wide range of office furniture, stationery items, machineries and services. This show will bring together the top industrialists who are involved in this sector and find this show to be the absolute platform where they will get to expand their marketing networks. date: 04-06 Apr 2014

Venue: Parade Ground, Chandigarh, India

India International Business ShowIndia International Business Show is a 3 day event being held from 4th April to the 6th April 2014 at the Govt college Ground in Ludhiana, India. This event showcases products like wide variety of electronic products and services, different types of innovative products, services and techniques etc etc. in the Electronics & Electrical Goods, Business Services industries. date: 04-06 Apr 2014

Venue: Govt College Ground, Ludhiana, India

Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Showhotsales latest fashion style bracelet, necklace or pendants fittings/accessories loose 100pcs/lot Popular in jewelry market, the size is 6mm,8mm,10mm,12mm,14mm,16mm,18mm .Perfect workmanship with reasonable price.

date: 05-07 Apr 2014

Venue: Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), Mumbai, India

UPcOMING

Shuku Shuku (Nigerian Coconut Balls)African Cuisine

In Tunisia, images of fish are often used to protect against evil. New buildings often have fish bones or tails embedded in them as they are built, and cars have brightly colored plastic or cloth fish attached to them to provide protection to the people inside.

Try never to feel that you are competing against anyone; it is better to have the feeling that you are helping all.

tHougHt oFtHe WeeK

1. of course bien sûr

2. enjoy your meal Bon appétit

3. i'm on my way J'arrive

4. Shall we go? On y va?

5. no problem Pas de problème

Handy French

cardiovascular & Bone health

reduces Body Fat Anti-inflammatory &

Antioxidant Support Diuretic & Kidney Support Muscle & Nerve Support Alkaline-forming Improves Eye health Immune Support, Wound

healing & Prevents cell Damage

pICtURE oF tHE wEEk

Mr. Vinay Kumar, Joint Secretary (E & SA division), Ministry of External Affairs with h.E. Mr. Pius Dunaiski, high commissioner of Namibia at the National Day celebration of Namibia

FLAG NAME cAPITAL cUrrENcY OFFIcIAL LANGUAGE

Senegal Dakar CFA franc French

Seychelles Victoria Seychellois rupeeSeychellois Creole, French

English

Sierra Leone Freetown Leone English

Somalia Mogadishu Somali shilling Somali, Arabic

(175 degrees C).2. In a medium bowl, mix together the

coconut, sugar and egg yolks to form a stiff dough. Squeeze into 1 inch balls, and roll each ball in flour to coat.

3. Place on a baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden.

AddWAter melon to your summers for:

know moRE AboUt AFRICA

UpdAtES

What desert makes up about 80% of Algeria's land mass?

The Sahara

What do Egyptians call Egypt? Masr

The Ancient Egyptians had a special kind of writing. What was it called? Hieroglyphicsp

What mountain range covers most of the

Senegal Embassy is shifted from 14/2, E Block, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110057 to E-6/32 Vasant Vihar, New Delhi- 110057.

h.E. Mrs. Elizabeth Paula Navpewok accredited as the new high commissioner of Uganda to India

Morocco? Atlas

What volcano serves as

Djibouti's highest point? Mousa Ali

Malawi has two official languages, one is English the other one is? Chichewa

Lake Malawi borders which three African countries? Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique

What was the name of this country before it was renamed Lesotho? Basutoland

The Gambia shares just under 750km of its border with one country. What is the name of this neighbouring country? Senegal

Which animal appears on the Zambian National Flag? An Eagle


Vlisco fashion dream fund contest is back with a bang

thefasHionistas10

It was a moment of proud and tears for Christine Mbabazi, a 23-year-old student of Mass

Communication at Mt. Kenya University and presenter of the popular Overdrive show on Radio 10, when she launched a fashion house; Christine Creative and Fashion House in Remera, Kenya. The fashion house came into being soon after another fashion house, Doda, a collaboration by Colombe Ituze and St. Louis Johanne in Kimironko. Mbabazi during the event bursted out in tears of joy while her speech as she

A shinning gem has been added to Malawi’s modeling industry crown as the country’s models have been selected to participate at this year’s Southern Africa Fashion Week scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The impending fashion week is a part of the Southern Africa Fashion Conference (SAFC) expected to take place from 30 April to 01 May, 2014. It’s the

The mantra to enjoy summers is to do fashion with confidence! Radiant,

glowing skin is the key to look younger and feel healthier. So, don’t be scared of the sun this summer…just go out and enjoy while adhering to some tips to beat the heat.

For people with oily skin, summer is said to be a bane for them. • The first and foremost thing is to stay hydrated. Your body

tends to lose a lot of moisture in summers, so it’s always essential to frequently replenish the H2O level. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturized as well.• Cleansing is of supreme importance during summer. Cleansing cream or gel is advised for cleansing for normal to dry skin, while an oily or combination skin should be cleansed with a cleansing milk or lotion. For skin prone to pimples, medicated

A fresh option to shop for fashion

Malawian Models in glare of publicity at Southern African Fashion week

explained how her childhood dream came true. In the same strain she asserted, “Christine Creative and Fashion House is going to be unique in its own way. It’s going to deliver exactly what the customers want. You are free to walk in, order for what you need and it will be delivered to you within two days.”

Mbabazi also trying her hand in jewelry making and other accessories asked her audience to expect more from her new fashion house. Mbabazi also discussed regarding the challenges such as lack

of necessary support and venturing into the fashion industry.

During the launch, Christine showed ramp walk with some of Rwanda’s top models, thus, leaving the guests spell bounded.

Beat the Heat this summer!!

A brand known for influencing the fashion landscape in West and Central Africa, Vlisco is once again awarding the young fashion designers with an excellent opportunity to convert their dreams into reality through the Vlisco Fashion Dream Fund contest. The competition was commenced last year as part of the Vlisco Women’s Month campaign. It required young fashion designers in six countries to present proposals on how they plan to showcase and exhibit their brands in the coming years. Also, the participants were required to persuade the organizers on why they should be financially backed up to accomplish their dreams. Vlisco is encouraging fashion talents from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Congo DR and Ivory Coast to place their fashion business plans online and get a chance to win some prizes.

Expressing at the inauguration of the 2014 Vlisco Women’s Month campaign lately at the Accra Mall, Rudolf van Gompel, the Executive Retail Director of the Vlisco Group conveyed that the top three winners of the pitch will get $2,500 funding plus an excellent chance to attend fashion training programmes in the Netherlands. He also mentioned that at the local level, the top three pitchers in Ghana will each get a sewing machine plus Gh¢300. Further, the Vlisco official articulated,

“Young fashion designers who are nationals or residents in the six countries mentioned earlier qualify for the pitch.” Jury of renowned folks will select the winners who will be announced at a ceremony in Accra on April 5. Worth mentioning, Ghana performed the best in 2013 contest. From the over 100 proposals received, designers Kyerewa Atta–Krah of April Rust and Sheila Garbrah of She by Bena Creations, appeared as the overall winner and second runner-up, respectively.

third season of SAFC and will highlight models from Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.

SAFC has selected four models from Malawi namely Thembi Zimba, Peggy Mwanguku, Harry Kazembe and Michael Kazembe.

The chosen models, one from Blantyre and three from Lilongwe were also a part of the Malawi Fashion Week 2013.

They went through an

cleansers are recommended. Deep pore cleansing is needed during hot and humid conditions, especially for oily skin, to keep the pores free of clogged oil and dirt. In fact, during summer the face should be washed several times with plain water.• A good flower based skin tonic containing rose or lavender is ideal in hot, humid weather to cleanse and refresh your skin. Or, use rose water, if you have normal to dry skin. It refreshes the skin and imparts a clean and fresh feeling. Not to forget girls, after cleansing one should wipe skin with a cotton wool pad dipped in skin tonic. • Also, if you are out during the day, carry a small bottle of rose skin tonic in your handbag, so that you can use it whenever the skin feels sweaty and greasy. • Meanwhile, cleansing of skin at night, before bedtime is even more important. This not only helps in reducing surface oil, but also protects the skin from

pimples, spots, etc. For normal to dry skin, cleansing must be done using a nourishing cream and massaging it on the face with a few drops of water. Wipe off with moist cotton wool before bedtime.• It always advised, try and stay indoors between 11am and 3pm as the sun’s rays are the strongest and can have an adverse effect on your skin. Don’t forget to apply that all-important sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out. If you’ve been out in the sun for a few hours, touch it up again so you’re well protected.

Hate your tanned skin? Try this out:

Gram flour can also be used as a facemask to get rid of an uneven tan.

Mix it with yoghurt and a few drops of lemon and apply and leave it on your face till it’s dry. The citrus properties of the lemon are very effective in removing the tan.

audition which was held last week in the capital, where 16 models auditioned. Expressing in an interview, 19-year-old Peggy articulated that it feels great that she was selected to represent Malawi.

Further, she conveyed, “I can’t wait to represent my beautiful country and put Malawi on the map of the fashion industry”. Also, she was looking forward to the event as it will award her with more experience and exposure.

Harry, a designer at Mizu Designs in Lilongwe, expressed that for him it was not less than a dream-come-true to be a part of such an imperative event. He added, “It’s something big and this is an opportunity for me to go big in my career as a model.” Harry, who is strongly inspired by Tyson Beckford and Djimon Hounsou in the modeling world, communicated, “You just never know who might be there and this might be a chance to get

scouted. All in all am looking forward

to having fun.” Not to mention, apart from models, two or four designers from Malawi are also anticipated to participate at the SAFC and confirming to Thembi, who is a coordinator in the country, the selection of designers will be done this week.

Models showcasing creations by christine Mbabazi.

Photo By Joseph Oindo


sPorts2WatCh 11TunISIA, CAmErOOn TO hOST AFrOBASKET 2015

Women FIBA Basketball (Turkey 2014): Angola alongside the USA, all groups

MTN Renews SWAG Awards Sponsorship

Tunisia and Cameroon have been awarded the hosting duties for AfroBasket 2015 and AfroBasket Women 2015 respectively, FIBA Africa announced in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. The continental basketball governing body made the awards after hours of deliberations and bid presentations by Angola, Central African Republic (CAR), Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Tunisia.

FIBA Africa selected Tunisia as hosts of the AfroBasket 2015, the 28th edition of the championship after bid presentations. Tunisia, who were champions at AfroBasket 2011, will host the men's competition for the first time since

Ghana defender Isaac Vorsah has thrown himself into contention for a spot in Coach Kwasi Appiah's team for the 2014 World Cup after he declared his return to full fitness. The Red Bull Salzburg player tore an anterior crucial ligament in his knee in May last year during a Cup match and has been slow in his recovery.

He was expected to be fit before the start of the season but the centre-back is yet to kick a ball. But Vorsah claims he is okay now and could earn some game time before the end of the season.

'It's been good. I've obviously had a few knocks here and there but gradually I am getting fit and returning to playing regularly for my club and country,' he said.

'I've tried to focus on being ready for the World Cup and that's been the main thing really. I know I have been out for long but thankfully it's all over for me.

'I will come back pretty much fit, if I'm being honest.''

Vorsah was a member of the Black Stars team which reached the last eight of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Modern Ghana

1987 and the third time since the competition's inception.

Angola and CAR also submitted bids to host the championship, but Tunisia, who are the continent's third highest-ranked team and 23rd in the FIBA Men's Ranking, were chosen. Cameroon were also picked as the host nation for the AfroBasket Women 2015, the 24th edition of FIBA Africa's leading women's national team tournament.

It will be the first time in Cameroonian basketball history that the country hosts the championship. Their success was coming after the game's

Groups of the 17th FIBA Women's World Championship basketball were made at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. Fifteen selections will attempt to dethrone the United States during this competition which will take place from 27 September to 5 October 2014.

Angola, African reigning champions can be found in group D alongside the United States, world and Olympic champions. In addition to the American machine, Angola must negotiate their ticket to the next round with China and Serbia.

Mozambique, beaten finalists in Afrobasket 2013, will compete in group B with the host country, Canada and France, European and Olympic silver medalist.

The group stage is scheduled

visible growth and exposure in the country, including their best result - a fourth-place finish at AfroBasket Women 2013 in Maputo in Mozambique.

The Cameroonians' bid got the nod over those from Angola and Cote d'Ivoire. The winners of AfroBasket 2015 and AfroBasket Women 2015 will qualify directly for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The teams which finish second and third will compete in FIBA's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments for Men and Women for the remaining three berths on offer.

Meanwhile, FIBA Africa has placed Angola on standby to

MTN, the leading telecommunications company in Ghana, has renewed its commitment to sponsor the 39th Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards Nite scheduled for May 17, 2014 at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra.

A letter from the telecommunication giants to SWAG, signed by Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, Corporate Communications Director, said the company was pleased to maintain its enviable position as headline sponsor of the SWAG event.

MTN has been the major sponsor of the SWAG Awards Nite since 2010. However, for the company's Chief Executive Officer,

Vorsah Fights for World Cup Place

Mr. Serame Taukobong, who assumed office in July last year, the upcoming SWAG event would be his first personal experience of the prestigious Awards Nite at which sportsmen and sportswomen, sports dignitaries and corporate bodies are honored.

Corporate bodies which sponsored the 2013 SWAG Awards

Nite included Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL ), Activa International Insurance Company Limited, Ghana Oil Company Limited (Goil), Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL) and Stanbic Bank. The SWAG is the only media body in Ghana affiliated to AIPS, the accredited media partners of FIFA.

Modern Ghana

for September 27 to 30 in Ankara and Istanbul. The winners of each pool are directly qualified for the quarterfinals. Selections classified 2nd and 3rd of the four groups will compete in a playoff round to complete the Top 8.

Different groups of the World Championship, Turkey 2014:

Group A (Ankara): Brazil, Japan, Spain, Czech Republic.Group B (Ankara): Mozambique, Turkey,France, Canada.Group C (Istanbul): South Korea, Cuba, Australia, Belarus.Group D (Istanbul): Serbia, China, USA, Angola.

Modern Ghana

stage any of the two AfroBasket championships should any of Tunisia or Cameroon failed to meet up with the demands of hosting.

The body's Central Board also approved the granting of hosting rights to a number of countries for FIBA Africa 2014 programmes. Madagascar and Mali are to host the AfroBasket under-18 men and women championships respectively.

In the clubs category, Cote d'Ivoire will host the final round of the Africa Champions Cup for Men while Tunisia will stage the women's version. (NAN)

Modern Ghana

Song Gao (chN), Diana Taurasi (USA) and Nacissela Mauricio (MOZ)

Isaac Vorsah


eNCouNteR WitH eDitor12

What is the main objective of your visit to India?

I came here to observe the experience of India in the health sector as India has faced a significant revolution in this field. We could replicate the know-how with a goal to improve the health condition of the population of Burkina Faso. We have visited a number of health training centers, hospitals, and have met people who are involved in various areas of health with the aim to exchange and establish a number of cooperative relationships beneficial to Burkina Faso and also for our Indian partners. This is the main aim of my visit here, which was organized by the Embassy of Burkina Faso and I also want to take the opportunity to express my heartiest thanks to the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Idriss Raoua OUEDRAOGO.

Do you believe that technology plays an important role in the development of medical sector?

Yes, ofcourse…… In the field of technology, we truly believe that every country is able to solve its problems through telemedicine which acts as a medium to capture essential information. The technological know-how is very important. I strongly believe that

telemedicine can contribute to create awareness.

What are the medical challenges that your country is facing?

Our country faces many health challenges and these challenges starts first at the population level. There are diseases like malaria, which further contributes to higher mortality in our country. Tuberculosis and AIDS are also serious diseases which affects the life of the people. It is a big challenge that we have in our country and these challenges are due to existence of inappropriate health services and staff. There is also a need for medical and paramedical training. The Government has made a number of efforts to provide health services.

Brief us about the projects that the government is soon going to launch in this field?

As I already said, we are facing many challenges in the health sector; we have a complete project which is going to release in this subject. This plan has three levels. Level one is principally concerned for promoting social health with the health district. Level two is principally concerned for health care with regional

hospital. Level three is principally concerned with national and university hospital. Therefore, we must work especially to strengthen the availability of the qualified doctors. For this we are going to introduce one programme, called “Investment Priority” from 2013-2018. This programme includes 10 projects which are going to cover all the three level that I have briefed. Our goal is to have a center for neurosurgery; our plan is to open a center with best medical facilities and qualified doctors. I wish to seek assistance from Indian government to improve our health system.

Recently you have been to Taiwan and now you are visiting India, how fruitful do you think your visit will boom the medical sector of Burkina Faso?

The visit was very fruitful in both the countries; there is a surprise growth in India. We need an assurance that our partner will help us take the advantage of this opportunity and we think that our dynamic Ambassador is also going to assist us in this work. It is mainly in the field of training programs for our doctors, our professional can get training from Indian doctors. With the help and cooperation of India and Taiwan we think a lot can be done in this sector.

What is your vision in enhancing the medical tourism between India and Burkina Faso?

We have tried to discuss on this issue. The distance is quite long and usually when we evacuate our patient from Burkina to India in case of emergency it is very difficult. Now we are thinking that how we can improve our health sector or provide best medical facilities to our patients in the country itself. Our health specialist are visiting India in order to get a professional training, it’s also very beneficial for the medical tourism.

What are the funding options available in your country for the medical sector?

Currently we are thinking to provide a precise health care package to all the citizens of Burkina Faso with the best infrastructure and equipments. At this moment we are happy that now our government is taking an initiative and financing our project. Also, we have other friendly countries and institutions who are equally taking part in our development. There is one more option open for us i.e. the public and private partners; they are also a source of investments in the domain of health sectors.

The health situation in Burkina Faso is strongly linked to the overall context and the socio-economic reality of the country. Efforts have been made over the last decade to improve the health situation of the country. In a candid interview to Kanchi Batra, Sub-Editor, Indo Africa Times, the Minister of Health from Burkina Faso, H.E. Mr. Lene Sebgo cited health as the priority for government action that puts a strong emphasis on the qualified human resources to provide efficient services.

Owner / Publisher / Editor: Mr. Kirit Sobti from 3rd Floor, Plot No. 3, Block PSP-IV, Service Centre Opp. Sector-11 (Extn.), Rohini, Delhi-85Printed at LIPEE SCAN PVT. LTD. 89 DSIDC SHED Okhala Phase 1, New Delhi

There is a need for medical and paramedical training

H.E. Mr. Lene sebgoMinister of Health, Burkina Faso


News & Politics

Volume 1 issue 12