I CELEBRATE NANA KOFI ACQUAH

There is always that one person who stands out in a park. Day in day out our country Ghana is blessed with gifted folks from all walks of life as well as their chosen trade for either their livelihood or for the pleasure of it.

I met him at one of Blogging Ghana's premium event, #Blogcamp Ghana after a few interactions online. I had always closely followed his works and admired it. With my little passion for arts and photography, he came in handy and very resourceful after the few minutes chat were had after his break-out session during the event.

I even went ahead to tell him about a plan I had in mind, and he was thrilled and encouraged me to pursue it if I wanted to do that. Within minutes he had suggested a few things that i should look at and then assured me of his doors being open anytime I needed his input. One thing he said under that session for which I remember a lot till this day : "If you want me to shoot your wedding then be ready to pay me a $1000 for each photograph". This was to confirm his decision not to do wedding shoots.

The years went by and I realised most of his works were drifted towards Development Photography. With his poetry background, the grammar that went with the photographs that he posted ( and still does) on all his platforms, were worth reading and taking a look at the photos. I remember being a part of a twitter chat initiated by The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) where himself and other talented photographers moderated on Development Photography (#DEVPIX) and the messages photos posted sold. Such great insight and valuable information shared by him till this day, I documented.

I am sure for those of you that know him, are very familiar to his works and accolades so i won't bug you much. This post is to actually celebrate him. And what are we celebrating?

Last week he was honoured to become the first recipient of the World Press Photo and  Tim Hetherington Fellowship Award. This is no doubt a big feat in his chosen career and as a Ghanaian, I feel so proud. Congratulations no doubt are in order and a big salute from me to this wonderful personality is being sent to him via this blog post.

In his response to the honour, this is what he had to say ;

"I hope that my work can help create the Africa that Tim worked so hard and died for, and the World Press Photo envisions.

In my short life, I have been helped and favoured by so many people over the years and all over the world; and I cannot say Thank You enough".

 Prior to this honour, he had had one of his photos featured in a book chronicling 10 historic moments showed to the Pope.

Do you know, Nana Kofi is also a self-declared male feminist and he has stated that he is driven to change the narrative around African women where they are sometimes portrayed as vulnerable and subdued.

He has been featured on BBC and Reuters in his capacity as an African Male Feminist and on CNN’s African Voices for attempting to redefine the perceptions on Africa through his photographs and writings.

Why won't I celebrate such a person.

Get to know him more and his works;

NANA KOFI ACQUAH'S BLOG

NANA KOFI ACQUAH'S INSTAGRAM

 NANA KOFI ACQUAH'S TUMBLR

GRAMEEN FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Grameen Foundation Fellows make their mark in the fight against poverty, while broadening their professional horizons and gaining invaluable hand-on experience in international development. This is a unique opportunity for professionals from a wide range of industries, from management consulting and business to data analysis to healthcare and agriculture, to gain substantial experience leading the development and implementation of projects serving the poor, working with some of the brightest minds in social innovation.

Grameen Foundation Fellowships are competitive, year long, field-based positions. Each field placement is individually tailored to match your skills and interests with the needs of Grameen Foundation and its partners around the world. All Fellows receive living stipends, group orientation, and ongoing professional development support. 

Required Skills, Attributes and Abilities:

  v  Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission.

  v  Most placements will be with Grameen Foundation teams, we look for expertise in the areas of financial services, health, agriculture, mobile technology, and social entrepreneurship.

  

  v  Exposure to low bandwidth environments and developing countries helpful

  v  Ability to manage multiple priorities

  v  Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability while working in a  dynamic environment

  v  Great sense of humor and comfort with a range of personalities

Education and Experience:

There are no education or experience requirements for the Grameen Foundation Fellowship. However, strong candidates often have professional experience in strategy or management consulting, financial services, health, or agriculture and/or have worked in global business or in startup-like environments.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Fellowship placements will likely be in Africa (particularly Uganda and Ghana), Latin America (particularly Colombia and Nicaragua), Asia (particularly India and the Philippines), and the Middle East. 

This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort.  This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comments:

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

How to Apply:

Please visit the Grameen Foundation Fellowship Website for more information on the program or to apply for a Fellowship. 

CANS OF FRESH AIR SOLD IN CHINA

More than 300 cans of fresh air from south China’s Hainan Province have been sold at the 2016 Hainan International Tourism Trade Expo.

Selling for 29 yuan (US$4.50), the cans of clean air have generated significant interest from businesses and tourists from smog-effected cities in the north and northeast China.

It was bottled in the seaside tourism resort of Bawangling, Changjiang County in southwest Hainan, where the forest coverage is up to 98 per cent.

Bawangling’s average negative oxygen ions per cubic centimetre are as high as 6,000, which is six times the standard of clean air stated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Liu Jin, deputy county chief of Changjiang at the Expo, said: “The first batch of 300 cans were all sold out, and it will start selling to the public in two months.”

Chinese firms are already in negotiation to research and develop larger sizes and different applications, according to Liu.

Source: Climate Action News

IN MEMORY: SKY+FACE !!

"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep". - An Indian Memorial Poem 

I haven't been in the best of health and general mood during the week has been down but in all these work had to be done.

I had a few client complains that needed attention and prompt solutions to be meted out. I joined my driver for his usual deliveries and supply schedule so I use that opportunity to meet up with them personally.

One after the other, I handled the very simple ones to the complex ones, and for those that needed further attention, assurances were given to them that action would be taken to their best interest.

As we went along, I felt a little tired and decided I get myself some refreshment of a sort since I am not a big fan of Energy drinks. I spotted a mini mart around and pleaded with my driver to pull the breaks so I get something. He did and I got of the van heading straight to the mart. Approaching the mart, I coincidentally hit my foot against a stone which drew the attention of the people in-front of the mini mart who were also getting one thing or the other from the same mart I was approaching. Immediately I raised my head up so I take a few steps to the mart for the attendant serves me. In the process of raising my head, I saw an inscription on the side of the mart, a dress- makers shop written in chalk, SKY FACE.   

Immediately, I startled a bit and went further to have a real look at it if it was a spelling mistake or for real written right. The latter was the case, very well written as you can see from the photo taken and attached to this post. I then took out my phone and took a couple of shots. After getting back into the van, I took out my phone to look at the photo captured.

SKY+FACE

It then dawned on me for a brief moment that yes I really missed my favourite cousin who was that selfless and always happy to make you happy.

I still remember when our house attire came through and we were to receive them from the bursar's office, immediately you got yours you wore it right in front of the library of Nifa Secondary School and walked up the hill to our 1B1 classroom to the amazement and admiration of many.

Till this day, we all know you created a vacuum in our hearts but we mourn no more Nana Kumi, we believe as a family as well as your close friends and mates that you are definitely resting in perfect peace.

STILL CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE AND HOPEFULLY WE SHALL MEET ON THE OTHER SIDE.

HAS IT FALLEN THAT LOW?

And then 2015 ended calmly and we were ushered into the new year.

Invitations to a lot of social events came through for which I chose quite a number to attend.
So the very first social event for 2016 was the wedding ceremony of a working colleague. It was out of town so had to travel the distance to make it there. Somewhere in the Eastern region is where it took place.

Right on time, I made it to the service and everything as planned began. Time went by and the service went on and on and on. The groom came in and it was time for the bride to show her presence for the solemnization to begin. Minutes went by, then it turned into an hour of waiting. Various singing groups were called upon to minister different songs from worship, to reggae, to praises all in anticipation for the arrival of the bride but still it was a no show from the bride. It was an hour and a half gone and the bride had not showed up. People started to express some level of anxiety and anger as it was getting annoying to a few myself inclusive. I asked a friend who also knew the groom and had come to support, why it was always the case with brides delaying to show up. Well guess what she showed up two hours after the groom had taken his seat.

Fast forward to the plot of my post, I will try to get that bit of why brides, if I will say take delight in keeping everyone waiting for such long periods during their wedding days.

Soon they were pronounced man and wife after their vows exchange and it was time for merry making. Photographs were taken and we all headed to the reception grounds. Guests and family got seated awaiting the newly weds to come take their seats so the other half of the day could continue.
Then the MC showed up! He started with some jokes and introduced himself to the gathering. All through his presentation and MC duties, coordination of what follows what on the outlines program was duly delivered with dexterity. He did well in mixing both the English and Twi languages to the admiration of everyone. Still that doesn't pitch in my plot for this post.....lol!


Here it is......recently the form of worship with reference to Christianity has come under a lot of scrutiny. Several reasons have been assigned to the modern ways of worship in recent times.
Throughout his MCing, one thing that run through was how the various forms of worship in the christian faith was used as jokes and used them as jokes formats. One of the very repeated ones was the speaking of tongues. The sight and movements that ensued around immediately warranted a form of prayer and ended in the tongue speaking craze which drew laughter and giggles from most people around.

Personally I wasn't enthused by those gimmicks and thought I was the only one. Right behind me, I overheard some grown up women expressing their displeasure of that particular aspect of his mcing. One of the women expressed in twi "Enti ebi nom ensuro Nyame anaa?" meaning "so don't some people fear God?"

That wasn't the only time I had heard of such jokes. On a lot of platforms, I have heard such lines being jokingly expressed. In not trying to compare to other religions, will they - comedians, MCs etc try that other forms of worship of other religions?

Aside the tongues bit, kindly share any experience you've had where certain forms of worship of other religions has been jokingly expressed even though will prefer more of the christian religion.

Cheers and have the best of 2016 and welcome to another run of cool posts from me.

LET'S JAM TO MUSIC MONDAY - #MUSICWEDEYFEEL

So this week I decided to play the bias card a little.

I am sure you'll noticed I pick two or more countries to feature those beautiful tunes from thier various countries. This week I chose to go with just a single country. The country I chose for our reading and enjoyment pleasure for #MusicWeDeyfeel for this week's #Music monday is #CONGO.

This country is known for it's rich culture and diversity of lifestyle. Their music I believe needs no introduction since over the years, they've had some top ones.

My first choice for you is;

1. LOKUA KANZA - I BELIEVE IN YOU


Lokua Kanza is both a singer and songwriter known for his ballads mostly. His style is more mainstream compared to the others as he explores a more modern tradition of Congolese music that speaks to people worldwide.

My second artist to feature from Congo is no doubt one of the biggest acts to come out of that country and continent at large.

2. FALLY IPUPA - SWEET LIFE



Fally is also known through his self proclaimed nicknames such as ‘Fally Ipupa Dicaprio la Merveille Pibe de Oro Pitshishi Hustler’. "No Congolese party would now be complete without Fally Ipupa" one entertainment tabloid was quoted at stating that.

Till I come your way again with another exciting set of tunes, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Season's Greetings !!!

JAM TO THIS WEEK'S MUSICWEDEYFEEL PICKS

Great to be back here again. It's another Monday and as my quest to bring you the best of tunes from our continent, I will be introducing you to some great talents.

This week I chose my first act from Nigeria. Now let's get to it;

1. ADEKUNLE GOLD - ORENTE



Adekunle is one fast rising artist to come out of Nigeria. His sleek voice and traditional touch to his tunes makes his music unique and soothing to the ear. Indigenous and exclusively cultural piece from Adekunle Gold and it is titled, "Orente". A love song explained the Yoruba way about the faithfulness of a woman who adores a man despite all the odds against them. This video expresses love and I know you'll love this tune.

Now to the very next artist, we take a trip down south to the rainbow country South Africa and I bring you Berita.

2. BERITA - MWANA WA MAI FEAT OLIVER MTUKUDZI & HUGH MASEKELA

BERITA is an Award winning singer, a Gold selling songwriter and guitarist with a touch soul to her music. Enjoy this tune and tell me what you think if this doesn't make you love African music.

Music theysay is the food to the soul. This is ours. #MusicWeDeyfeel is on again next Monday.

Cheers for reading.