All day tomorrow, Friday, July 27, and again on Saturday, July 28, I will be giving away a free eBook short story download that has been excerpted from my novel Ari Loves Salome, the tale of the historical Jesus (Aristobulus of Chalcis) and his wife Mary Magdalene (Salome, daughter of Herodias).
This free download for Kindle and other e-Book platforms will be available from midnight (Pacific time, 3am here in Toronto) on Thursday until midnight on Saturday.
Download free eBook for Kindle: Wedding of Jesus and Mary Magdalene
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Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Pencils for Kids promotes education in Africa
Back-to-school shopping that actually makes a difference
by FARAH MOHAMED, Globe and Mail
When the beginning of the school year rolls around and parents and kids go shopping for school supplies, most of them would not fathom having to share one pencil with 29 other kids. In Libore, a small village in the Republic of Niger, Africa, children, were doing exactly that – that is, until 2005, when Robin Mednick started to raise funds ($500,000 to date) to send more than 6,000 kilograms of pens, pencils, rulers, geometry sets and notebooks, reaching most of the 6,000 students there.
“In December, 2005, my friend Dan Galbraith [now vice-chairman of P4K] told me he had just returned from the Francophone Games in Niger, and was devastated by the poverty. He said Canadian athletes had visited a school in Libore and noticed that 30 children were sharing a single pencil. My heart broke, and I simply said, ‘Dan, let’s do something.’”
First step
“I called the Canadian consulate in Niger, to ask if they could distribute supplies if we sent them. They connected me with Amadou Madougou, the mayor of Liboré. We spoke that night, he sent a list of necessary supplies [pencils, paper, notebooks, rulers, erasers, chalk, slate boards and textbooks] and the next day I approached Michael Williams, then manager of Business Depot.”
Success
“Roumanatou Moussa Zanguina, 20, lives five kilometres from school. She was not eligible for a scholarship last year so she did everything in her power to get one this year. Every day she walked 20 kilometres to and from school to learn. It worked! She did so well that this year she has received a scholarship and is in her final year.”
Donations
“$5 can buy a textbook; $100 can build a desk shared by three children (many are still sitting on the hard ground); $600 can sponsor a scholarship for one girl for one year – this includes her uniforms, books, supplies and tutoring in four subjects for the entire school year; $2,000 can sponsor a kindergarten.”
Challenges
“We no sooner build a school, and it is overflowing with students. We invest money in teaching girls to sew, and sometimes they must leave school early to assist their families in the field.”
Any doubts?
“The first time I wondered if we would ever get off the ground, was when I placed my first call to DHL Canada to ship over our very first test box with supplies. The cost was extremely high. It was the first stumbling block. So I faxed a letter to the president of DHL requesting assistance, and within 30 minutes he agreed to help. Over the years, DHL has shipped many boxes for us at no expense.”
Describe yourself
“I am unlikely to take “no” for an answer when confronted with obstacles. I not only believe in thinking out of the box, I don’t understand why there is a box.”
Personal hero
“Winnie the Pooh, he builds meaningful relationships and is genuine, loyal and trustworthy. And somehow he manages to negotiate challenges with sweetness and kindness.”
What keeps you going?
“Two girls, Halimatou Tiémogo and Halimatou Soumana, recipients of our scholarships, shared their money and books with a third girl who hadn’t qualified for a scholarship. These are the moments that keep me going.”
What is next?
Our Farmers of the Future pilot program which teaches 200 kids in Grades 4, 5 and 6 to view agriculture as a business. By building mini-farms near primary schools, children irrigate the gardens, tend tree nurseries, tackle environmental issues, and learn to market their produce and invest their earnings.
Celebrity sponsor?
“Jian Ghomeshi: I would be honoured if he brought his compassion for people, insight, wit and wisdom to help further our cause.”
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Farah Mohamed is president & CEO of the G(irls)20 Summit. Send suggestions for Action Figure to livebetter@globeandmail.com.
Robin Mednick, 58, is the co-founder, president and executive director, Pencils for Kids (P4K), pencilsforkids.com.
by FARAH MOHAMED, Globe and Mail
When the beginning of the school year rolls around and parents and kids go shopping for school supplies, most of them would not fathom having to share one pencil with 29 other kids. In Libore, a small village in the Republic of Niger, Africa, children, were doing exactly that – that is, until 2005, when Robin Mednick started to raise funds ($500,000 to date) to send more than 6,000 kilograms of pens, pencils, rulers, geometry sets and notebooks, reaching most of the 6,000 students there.
“In December, 2005, my friend Dan Galbraith [now vice-chairman of P4K] told me he had just returned from the Francophone Games in Niger, and was devastated by the poverty. He said Canadian athletes had visited a school in Libore and noticed that 30 children were sharing a single pencil. My heart broke, and I simply said, ‘Dan, let’s do something.’”
First step
“I called the Canadian consulate in Niger, to ask if they could distribute supplies if we sent them. They connected me with Amadou Madougou, the mayor of Liboré. We spoke that night, he sent a list of necessary supplies [pencils, paper, notebooks, rulers, erasers, chalk, slate boards and textbooks] and the next day I approached Michael Williams, then manager of Business Depot.”
Success
“Roumanatou Moussa Zanguina, 20, lives five kilometres from school. She was not eligible for a scholarship last year so she did everything in her power to get one this year. Every day she walked 20 kilometres to and from school to learn. It worked! She did so well that this year she has received a scholarship and is in her final year.”
Donations
“$5 can buy a textbook; $100 can build a desk shared by three children (many are still sitting on the hard ground); $600 can sponsor a scholarship for one girl for one year – this includes her uniforms, books, supplies and tutoring in four subjects for the entire school year; $2,000 can sponsor a kindergarten.”
Challenges
“We no sooner build a school, and it is overflowing with students. We invest money in teaching girls to sew, and sometimes they must leave school early to assist their families in the field.”
Any doubts?
“The first time I wondered if we would ever get off the ground, was when I placed my first call to DHL Canada to ship over our very first test box with supplies. The cost was extremely high. It was the first stumbling block. So I faxed a letter to the president of DHL requesting assistance, and within 30 minutes he agreed to help. Over the years, DHL has shipped many boxes for us at no expense.”
Describe yourself
“I am unlikely to take “no” for an answer when confronted with obstacles. I not only believe in thinking out of the box, I don’t understand why there is a box.”
Personal hero
“Winnie the Pooh, he builds meaningful relationships and is genuine, loyal and trustworthy. And somehow he manages to negotiate challenges with sweetness and kindness.”
What keeps you going?
“Two girls, Halimatou Tiémogo and Halimatou Soumana, recipients of our scholarships, shared their money and books with a third girl who hadn’t qualified for a scholarship. These are the moments that keep me going.”
What is next?
Our Farmers of the Future pilot program which teaches 200 kids in Grades 4, 5 and 6 to view agriculture as a business. By building mini-farms near primary schools, children irrigate the gardens, tend tree nurseries, tackle environmental issues, and learn to market their produce and invest their earnings.
Celebrity sponsor?
“Jian Ghomeshi: I would be honoured if he brought his compassion for people, insight, wit and wisdom to help further our cause.”
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Farah Mohamed is president & CEO of the G(irls)20 Summit. Send suggestions for Action Figure to livebetter@globeandmail.com.
Robin Mednick, 58, is the co-founder, president and executive director, Pencils for Kids (P4K), pencilsforkids.com.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Ghana Gospel Awards to launch Summer 2012
In view of the enormous contributions of stakeholders to gospel music in Ghana, Ghana Gospel Music Awards (GGMA) deem it appropriate to award gospel musicians, song writers, producers, distributors etc. who have diligently and industriously upheld gospel music in Ghana in July this year.
The much awaited gospel music awards in Ghana was necessitated by the organizers desire and determination to recognize excellence in gospel music that has won the hearts of fans across Africa.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JAKA EVENTS, Joseph Asare Kwabena Adjei, and organizer of GGMA said: “It become very frustrating for many gospel musicians that the exceptional and diverse talents that abound in gospel music in Ghana in particular have not been accorded the attention needed from the mainstream music gatekeepers”.
New Ghana Gospel Music Awards Slated For July kickoff
Mr. Joseph Asare noted that “these awards are unique in the sense that it’s an all-time and the entries for the categories will span from 1990 to 2012.” He added that “this time period has become necessary because GGMA wants to bring to the fore pioneers who in ‘yester-years’ showcased their classical talent in gospel music and aroused the appetite of the gospel loving public.”Mindful of various kinds of genres in the gospel music industry, GGMA will consider for eligibility gospel music that are:
Substantially based upon historically orthodox Christian truth contained in or derived from the Holy Bible; An expression of worship of God or praise for His works and /or;Testimony of relationship with God through Christ and/or; Obviously prompted and informed by a Christian world view.
Seventeen categories have been identified for the awards. These are: BEST OVERALL GOSPEL SONG; BEST FEMALE GOSPEL ARTISTE; BEST MALE GOSPEL ARTISTE; BEST NEW (DISCOVERY) GOSPEL ARTISTE; BEST GOSPEL WORHIP SONG; BEST GOSPEL MUSIC VIDEO; BEST GOSPEL CHOIR; BEST GOSPEL GROUP; BEST GOSPEL PRAISE MUSIC; BEST GOSPEL FOLK/TRADITIONAL MUSIC; BEST CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL MUSIC; BEST GOSPEL COLLABORATION; BEST GOSPEL SONG WRITER; BEST GOSPEL MUSIC PRODUCER; BEST GOSPEL SONG DISTRIBUTOR; BEST GOSPEL MUSIC ACHIEVEMENT (LEGENDARY); BEST AFRICAN GOSPEL MUSIC.
The official opening of the first ever GGMA nominations will be announced at a later date, where organizers will take the opportunity to explain in detail the format the awards are going to take.
Source: GhanaWeb.com
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Ghana film and TV to be bolstered by NAFTI
King Ampaw films to be focus of 2012 lectures
by BELINDA HENYA & ROSEMARY KRAMPAH, Accra-Mail.com
The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) in collaboration with Goethe Institut have launched the 2nd Annual Lectures on Ghanaian motion pictures in Accra.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI said the lectures were instituted last year in reaction to public criticism that the institute was to be blame for the poor performance in the film industry in Ghana.
He said the criticism drew attention to the importance of NAFTI as an institution to strengthen the movie industry.
The 2012 lectures he said will celebrate the work of filmmaker King Ampaw, one of Ghana’s premiere filmmakers.
Prof. Abraham commended the CEO of TV Africa Mr. Kwaw and King Ampaw, who have helped the Ghanaian movie industry to attract international attention.
He said King Ampaw for example helped tremendously in promoting German–Ghana collaboration and co-production in film.
Prof. Linus Abraham has said a country’s identity is known through its beliefs and norms - there is the need to tell stories with the use of technology in order to find a place in the global arena.
He said a new awakening and focus for the cinema and film industry is on the threshold with the investment of GH¢ 2million for the creative arts industry as provided by the 2012 national budget.
He said the film and cinema industry can be revived if efforts are made to invest in talents and creativity. He said the industry has the potential to boom up despite the challenges it’s facing.
He said social critics are faulting the industry for its poor quality narratives and its dissemination of negative stereotypes. He mentioned witchcraft, drug dealers, gratuitous sex and violence.
He said there is the need to address the film, television and broadcasting industries in Ghana to attract the global market.
Ghana, he said, needed to create an enhanced image for the Ghana Movie Industry and called on the government, the private sector and the players in the movie industry to support the efforts.
The Board Chairman of NAFTI Professor Kofi Anyidoho said for the past twenty-five years the Ghanaian movie industry “is nothing to write about.”
He said the goal of the lecturers, held annually in February, is to highlight the role film and television play in the economic and social development of the country; they are also to showcase Ghana’s finest film-makers and their contributions to the industry and to research on the industry to provide a platform for students, academics and professionals in the movie industry.
King Ampaw, the 2012 laureate. was born on the 25TH of July 1940 in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
He is married with two sons. He has produced, directed and acted in a number of films including “Nana Akoto/ Juju” (1985), “Kukurantumi – Road to Accra” (1983), “No Time to Die” (2007) and “Cobra Verde” (1987) among others.
His works are recognized internationally and have won awards including the Film Critics Award for Kukurantumi at Fespaco in Ouagadougou, Input Film Award for Juju in Czechoslovakia, Talifa Film Festival Award in Spain for No Time to die and The first filmmaker to win an Honorary Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria and other awards in Germany.
by BELINDA HENYA & ROSEMARY KRAMPAH, Accra-Mail.com
The National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) in collaboration with Goethe Institut have launched the 2nd Annual Lectures on Ghanaian motion pictures in Accra.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Linus Abraham, Rector of NAFTI said the lectures were instituted last year in reaction to public criticism that the institute was to be blame for the poor performance in the film industry in Ghana.
He said the criticism drew attention to the importance of NAFTI as an institution to strengthen the movie industry.
The 2012 lectures he said will celebrate the work of filmmaker King Ampaw, one of Ghana’s premiere filmmakers.
Prof. Abraham commended the CEO of TV Africa Mr. Kwaw and King Ampaw, who have helped the Ghanaian movie industry to attract international attention.
He said King Ampaw for example helped tremendously in promoting German–Ghana collaboration and co-production in film.
Prof. Linus Abraham has said a country’s identity is known through its beliefs and norms - there is the need to tell stories with the use of technology in order to find a place in the global arena.
He said a new awakening and focus for the cinema and film industry is on the threshold with the investment of GH¢ 2million for the creative arts industry as provided by the 2012 national budget.
He said the film and cinema industry can be revived if efforts are made to invest in talents and creativity. He said the industry has the potential to boom up despite the challenges it’s facing.
He said social critics are faulting the industry for its poor quality narratives and its dissemination of negative stereotypes. He mentioned witchcraft, drug dealers, gratuitous sex and violence.
He said there is the need to address the film, television and broadcasting industries in Ghana to attract the global market.
Ghana, he said, needed to create an enhanced image for the Ghana Movie Industry and called on the government, the private sector and the players in the movie industry to support the efforts.
The Board Chairman of NAFTI Professor Kofi Anyidoho said for the past twenty-five years the Ghanaian movie industry “is nothing to write about.”
He said the goal of the lecturers, held annually in February, is to highlight the role film and television play in the economic and social development of the country; they are also to showcase Ghana’s finest film-makers and their contributions to the industry and to research on the industry to provide a platform for students, academics and professionals in the movie industry.
King Ampaw, the 2012 laureate. was born on the 25TH of July 1940 in Kukurantumi in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
He is married with two sons. He has produced, directed and acted in a number of films including “Nana Akoto/ Juju” (1985), “Kukurantumi – Road to Accra” (1983), “No Time to Die” (2007) and “Cobra Verde” (1987) among others.
His works are recognized internationally and have won awards including the Film Critics Award for Kukurantumi at Fespaco in Ouagadougou, Input Film Award for Juju in Czechoslovakia, Talifa Film Festival Award in Spain for No Time to die and The first filmmaker to win an Honorary Award at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria and other awards in Germany.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Objectives of Ghana's National Development Planning Commission
OUR MISSION: Functions of the NDPC
The National Development Planning Commission is a body created by articles 86 and 87 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and established by Acts 479 and 480 (1994) of Parliament with the mandate to advise the President on development planning policy and strategy.
The Commission at the request of the President, Parliament, or on its own initiative, is expected to:
study and make strategic analysis of macro-economic and structural reform options;
make proposals for the development of multi-year rolling plans taking into consideration the resources potential and comparative advantage of the different districts of Ghana;
make proposals for the protection of the natural and physical environment with a view to ensuring that development strategies and programmes are in conformity with sound environmental principles;
make proposals for ensuring the even development of the districts of Ghana by the effective utilisation of available resources;
monitor, evaluate and co-ordinate development policies, programmes and projects;
undertake studies and make recommendations on development and socio-economic issues;
formulate comprehensive national development planning strategies and ensure that the strategies including consequential policies and programmes are effectively carried out;
prepare broad national development plans;
keep under constant review national develop-ment plans in the light of prevailing domestic and international economic, social and political conditions and make recommendations for the revision of existing policies and programmes where necessary; and
perform such other functions relating to development planning as the President may direct.
More information on Ghana's National Planning Development Commission
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