Volume 1 issue 50

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MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014 Title Code: DELENG18579 • RNI NO: DELENG/2014/54666 • Postal Registration No.: DN/325/2014-2016 • VOL. 1 • NO. 50 • Page 12 • Price `10

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Miss south AfricA crowned

Miss World

This year’s Miss World pageant was won this year by 22-year-old South African Rolene Strauss.

Strauss was crowned Miss World 2014, taking over from last year’s winner Megan Young of the Philippines. Strauss becomes the third South African to win the title. Miss Hungary, Edina Kulcsar, was first runner-up, and Miss USA, Elizabeth Safrit, came third.

Miss Uganda, Leah Kalanguka only succeeded to make it to the top 25 in the People’s Choice category, acknowledgements to the online campaign that got people casting votes for her. Unluckily, she does not appear in any other category. This can be credited to the fact that she arrived later than other contestants in the Miss World boot camp in London.

She does not perform in the rest of the categories including beach fashion, multimedia,

CAPE VERDE ON TRACK

IT’s 100% UNTOUCHED: EqUATORIAl GUINEA

GET UNIN-TERRUPTED POwER sOlUTIONs

Mozambique launches new international

airport

AFCON 2015: Equatorial Guinea preparations underway

wAssupafrica02

Colossal statue of Amenhotep III unveiled in Egypt

Phone charging made simple

Archaeologists unveiled a restored colossal statue of Amenhotep III that was toppled in an earthquake more than 3,000 years ago at Egypt's famed temple city of Luxor.

The statue showing him in a striding attitude was re-erected at the northern gate of the king's funerary temple on the west bank of the Nile.

The temple is already famous for its existing 3,400-year-old Memnon colossi - twin statues of Amenhotep III whose reign archaeologists say marked the political and cultural zenith of ancient Egyptian civilisation.

The 12.92-metre (43-foot) statue unveiled stands west of an existing effigy of the king, also depicting him walking, which was unveiled in March.

The world-famous twin Memnon colossi are 21 metres tall

but show the pharaoh seated.The restored statue now

stands again for the first time since its collapse 3,200 years ago, Sourouzian told AFP from Luxor.

Consisting of 89 large pieces and numerous small fragments and reassembled since November, the monolith weighs 110 tonnes.

It had lain broken in pieces after the earthquake in 1200 BC, Sourouzian said. The statue shows the king wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt, and each hand holding a papyrus roll inscribed with his name, like the one standing next to it that was unveiled earlier

Rwanda's Henri Nyakarundi founded African Renewable Energy Distributor (ARED) to give renewable energy solutions to the public and private sectors in his home country Rwanda after failing to find a place to charge his phone from.

However, he never imagined that his idea would ever cross the border. Now with great success in Rwanda and Burundi, he is aiming at launching a similar project in Kenya and across the East African region. His Mobile Charging Kiosk dubbed SharjaVuba is set to help thousands who are not connected to grip electricity with alternative energy from solar power and photovoltaic technology.

Nyakarundi is implementing a franchise business model, where business minded individuals will pay

this year.His belt, holding a

dagger with a falcon-head handle, is fastened with a rectangular clasp bearing the names of the king.

Work to conserve the Amenhotep III temple is entirely funded through private and international

donations. Pharaoh Amenhotep III inherited an empire that stretched from the Euphrates to Sudan, archaeologists say.

The 18th dynasty ruler became king aged around 12, with his mother as regent. Amenhotep III died in around 1354 BC and was succeeded by his son Amenhotep IV, widely known as Akhenaten.

Luxor, a city of some 500,000 people on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt, is an open-air museum of intricate temples and pharaonic tombs.

Modern Ghana

Mozambique launches new international airportMozambique's President

Armando Guebuza inaugurated a new

international airport in the northern port city of Nacala, which is shortly to be Brazilian mining giant Vale's main hub for coal exports. The estimated cost of $200 million has been partly financed by a loan from the Brazilian state-bank, BNDES. Brazilian company Odebrecht was in charge of the construction.

The new facility will allow business travellers to avoid the 200 kilometre journey from Nampula, the closest airport.

Built on a former military airbase, the airport has an initial capacity of 500,000 passengers a year and can accommodate long-distance aircraft including Boeing 747s, according to a statement from Aeroportos de Mocambique.

Mozambique Airlines (LAM) has been using the airport since December 8, but the new facility has not yet received international certification.

The airport opening marks a new stage in the development of resource-rich Mozambique's north, with Nacala already boasting one of East Africa's deepest natural ports.

"From a maritime perspective, this is the only port between Durban and Djibouti to have a draft greater than 15 meters," said Mathieu Freidberg, Africa director for shipping company CMA-CGM.

A five-year rehabilitation of port infrastructure launched in March aims to increase container traffic five-fold, according to Loni Shott of Portos do Norte, the port operator. After being repeatedly postponed, operations are expected to start in the second quarter of 2015, Vale Mozambique CEO Pedro Gutemberg announced this week.

A $4.4 billion investment, the Nacala logistic corridor –- which encapsulates the port terminal and

ARED Rwf 245,000 or Rwf 350,000 to purchase a kiosk, plus a monthly charge of $45 to service and support the device.

The lower-end cost would supply an individual with a kiosk, powered by solar energy to charge up to 20 phones at a time, while the Rwf 350,000 package allows one to operate a “smarter” kiosk which can also sell mobile phones, airtime and electricity.

“I really wanted to bring value to the business,” Nyakarundi said. “I wanted to design and engineer my own product. I didn’t want to just import something from China.”

Consumers who want to charge their device at one of the kiosks only have to pay less than Rwf 100.Users can also visit a kiosk, leave their phone charging and pick it later.

“When one applies for a franchise, they must also present two people who will be running the kiosk. We also do a background check,” Nyakarundi says, adding that his focus is mainly the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

He says he is in talks with a microfinance organization over a potential partnership meant to support applicants at the beginning.

Nyakarundi has created and kept ARED afloat using money from his previous business in the United States but he believes $250,000 is needed to cover operational costs for two years, employ more staff and order 100 kiosks. The eventual plan is to roll out the kiosks in more African countries (New Guinea and Zambia have already expressed interest) but for now those 100 devices will be split evenly between Rwanda and Burundi.

New Times

Namibia’s Sovereign rating a boon to local markets

Foreign investors see Namibia’s strong ability and willingness to pay its creditors in a positive light, a local expert says.

Capricorn Asset Management Portfolio Manager Shaun Namaseb said that investors regarded the country as a jewel in Africa.

“As we are one of four African nations [besides South Africa, Botswana and Mauritius] to hold an investment grade rating from international ratings agencies, we have been the subject of attention from offshore investors.

“This year Capricorn Asset Management was able to host two offshore fact-finding visits from US and UK-based investment houses, facilitated by South African banks eager to invest in our domestic Namibia dollar denominated debt.

“Sadly, their participation is currently limited to the Namibian Euro bond and the Rand denominated JSE listed bond. We, however, expect this to change as the local industry develops and we move away from a paper-based trading system towards the Central Securities Depository model,” Namaseb said.

Investors considered Namibia’s ability and willingness to pay its creditors as one of the key requirements before they entered a market, Namaseb explained.

“Our country produces strong GDP results, with the Fitch ratings agency estimating 5.2 percent growth for 2014. Similarly, the nation’s balance sheet remains healthy with a debt/GDP ratio of 25 percent whereas our peer nations run at a debt/GDP ratio of 40 percent.

“We are also often praised for our strong financial and banking system, which also bolsters the case for investment in Namibian Government Bonds,” he said.

However, analysts often classified the Namibian market as illiquid, or too small, to accommodate foreign investment portfolio flows, he said.

As a result offshore investors only made up a small segment of the domestic bond market and as such did not provide liquidity.

“The answer to increased liquidity

does not solely lie with the Namibian Government increasing its debt outstanding, but rather with the asset managers and market participants, such as pension funds. “With a vast majority of pension assets managed from outside our borders and concentrated in a few players’ hands, the industry is unable to gain critical mass. We need more local managers with local decision making allocated pension assets, as it is the local manager who has a vested interest in developing the market,” he advised.

He noted that foreign buyers could repatriate 100 percent of the financial assets they purchased in the domestic market relatively quickly if things turned for the worse.

Regarding the performance of the asset class, Namaseb said that there was no data available for net foreign flows into the Namibian bond market.

“However, after a very difficult year in 2013 for the bond market brought on mainly by fears of rampant inflation domestically and speculation as to the timing of the end of US quantitative easing, 2014 had proved to be very bond friendly.“Whereas last year the BEASSA ALBI returned around 0.64 percent ended December 2013, bonds returned around 13 percent so far this year,” he said. BEASSA ALBI is the South African All Bond Index. This index comprises highly liquid South African Government and state-owned debt. It serves as a proxy for the bond market in South Africa.

Moves by central banks globally resulted in yields and interest rates across the world falling, a situation that forced offshore investors to make changes to their investment choices.

Offshore investors seeking returns were subsequently forced out of the comfort of high-grade sovereign debt, such as that of the US and selective European nations like Germany, into riskier debt that could provide lucrative returns.

“We find that investors who used to shun emerging market sovereign debt are now seasoned market participants in emerging market debt,” Namaseb said.

the railway line –- is expected to handle 18 million tonnes of coal by 2017, increasing Vale's current export capacity fivefold.

When the railway is completed, Nacala will be connected to neighbouring Malawi and to copper-rich Zambia, said Shott.

Nacala would then become an important gateway to the Indian Ocean, with China and India major trading partners.

"Carriers are seeking alternates to Durban, which is far and expensive," said Freidberg says.

"But beyond its obvious natural potential, Nacala still lies far behind Mombassa in terms of infrastructure."

Modern Ghana

Armando Guebuza, President, Mozambique

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014

wAssupafrica 03

FRoM page 01

President John Dramani Mahama and his Kenyan host, President Uhuru

Kenyatta, have supervised the signing of seven key agreements to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations, at the conclusion of a three-day state visit of the Ghanaian leader.

Two of the agreements, which were signed at the State House in Nairobi, centred on the development of partnerships in Air Services and Trade, whilst five Memorandums of Understanding, (MOUs), were signed on Tourism, Agriculture, Energy, Oil and Gas, Information and Communications Technologies, (ICTs), and Education. Some elements of the agreements include efforts to reduce the cost of doing business between the two countries, cooperation in tourism training, and the exchange of technical information in agriculture.

In bilateral discussions preceding the signing ceremony, the two leaders exchanged ideas on the need to establish Double Taxation Agreements between the two nations and how to protect investments in each other's country. They further discussed how Ghana and Kenya could serve as effective sub-regional aviation hubs in West and East Africa respectively.

President Mahama

Ghana and Kenya sign seven agreements to boost ties

President Armando Guebuza inaugurates roads in northern Mozambique

The outgoing Force Commander of the UN Mission in Mali, Maj. Gen. Jean-Bosco Kazura, was earlier this week bestowed upon the National Order of Mali, by the Malian government in recognition of his role in pacifying the country.

Gen. Kazura received the medal from Malian Defence Minister Bah N’Daw during a ceremony attended by Minusma officials, senior Malian military officials and Mali’s Chief of staff, Brigadier General Mahamane Touré.

During the ceremony, Mali’s Chief of Staff was quoted saying: “You leave us when our expectations are not yet fulfilled, whereas you have accumulated a wealth of expertise that is second to none in the knowledge of the Malian situation. You are well familiar with all the players, the issues, and it is today, when your contribution is vital that you decide not to renew your contract”.

“You did what you could. The ball remains more than ever in the camp of Minusma. Malians have their eyes on the Minusma to fulfill its mandate successfully,” Gen. Touré said,

Kazura thanked the people of Mali and the country’s leaders, particularly

Mali decorates Gen. Kazura for his services

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, for their hospitality.

“I did not come to Mali for its beauty and warmth but for its people and for ourselves, because it would be a shame to think that the problem of Mali is only a national one.

It is global. The Rwandan people will never forget the participation of the Malian army to restore

peace in Rwanda after the crisis of 1994. We must put our efforts together to overcome the crisis in Mali,” he said.

Gen. Kazura completes his tour of duty, 18 months after he was appointed to head the UN peacekeeping mission in the West African nation.

He has been heading the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma), which took over from an African peacekeeping force. Minusma’s current mandate expires in June next year.

It was established by the Security Council under Resolution 2100 and tasked to carry out a number of security-related tasks and support political processes in Mali, including assisting the transitional authorities in extending and re-establishing state administration throughout the country.

Prior to his appointment as Force Commander, Gen. Kazura was Commandant of the RDF School of Infantry in Gabiro. Last Friday, he toured Timbuktu where he urged continued vigilance and discipline on the part of Minusma in bid to fully pacify Mali.

New Times

congratulated his Kenyan host on the recent decision of the International Criminal Court, (ICC), to drop charges of crime against humanity and genocide levelled against him over the killing of more than 1000 people during the 2007 elections.

President Mahama (who is Chair of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS)) noted that Kenya, as the largest economy in East Africa, and Ghana, as the second largest economy in West Africa, could forge stronger partnerships that boost intra-African trade and deliver jobs, opportunities and prosperity to the people of both nations.

The Kenyan leader, who is the current Chair of the East Africa Community (EAC) commended President Mahama on his leadership as Chair of ECOWAS, especially in addressing terrorism and insecurity, fighting the ebola outbreak disease in some West African countries and also assisting the people of Burkina Faso to return their nation to a state of normalcy after the citizens uprising that resulted in the resignation of President Blaise Compaore.

The two Presidents characterised the visit as the re-opening of a new and promising chapter in Ghana-Kenya relations, to build on the warm, deep and historic pre-independence bonds established by Ghana's first

President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Kenya's founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta thanked President Mahama for undertaking this historic three-day state visit, which is the first ever by a sitting Ghanaian Head of State. In his response, President Mahama extended a reciprocal invitation to his host to undertake a state visit Ghana at a date to be agreed by both Governments soon.

On arrival at State House, President Mahama inspected a guard of honour mounted by troops from the Kenya Defence Forces and received a twenty-one gun salute.

Earlier on Friday morning, President Mahama laid a wreath at the Mausoleum of the late Kenyan President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, during a solemn ceremony.

The two Presidents also toured the vast compound of the Kenya National Youth Service, where thousands of Kenyan youth are trained and deployed every year into various sectors and communities. The leaders inspected heavy equipment and trucks that are used for the construction of boreholes and roads, in deprived communities, such as the Kibera slum area in Nairobi.

President Mahama, who also served as a Special Guest of Honour at Kenya's 51st Independence anniversary celebrations (or Jamhuri) Day on Friday, 12th December, leaves Kenya on Sunday, 14th December 2014.

Modern Ghana

Maj. Gen. Jean-Bosco Kazura

sports and fitness, talent and Beauty with a Purpose. Last year, Stella Nantumbwe did not deliver much, although Ugandans had high hopes in her.

Phiona Bizzu represented Uganda in 2012 at the showcase held in China. She succeeded to make her occurrence felt during the penalty shoot-out (sports category). The crown was won by home girl Yu Wenx.

This year’s winner is a fourth year medical student and terms herself as having a “wild South African heart.”

Asked why she wanted to be Miss World, Strauss is recited as saying: “Being proudly South African, I have firsthand experience that unity, respect, and forgiveness exist; those all are aspirations of the Miss World organization, so it would be amazing to represent an organization that is a beacon of hope all over the world.”

Antigone Costanda, an Egyptian of Greek heritage, was the first beauty queen signifying an African country to win the title in 1954. Nigeria’s Agbani Darego was the first black African to win the pageant in 1982.

Women from 121 countries

The Auasse/Mocímboa, Praia/Palma and Macomia/Auasse roads in the province of Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, with a combined length of 225 kilometres, were inaugurated by the country’s President, Armando Guebuza, the Mozambican press

contended in the 64th annual contest that began Nov. 20.

Contestants had to prove themselves in events presenting their beach fashion, charity work, media savviness, sports ability, modeling skills and individual talent.

Strauss won the title of Miss South Africa in March and used her position to follow her "passion for women's rights, health and education," she said in her Miss World 2014 introduction video.

She painted her work of educating girls about menstruation to keep them in school.

Strauss hopes to go to business school, become a doctor and start a business concentrating on women's health. More than

one billion people tuned into the live event at ExCel London ICC Auditorium, according to the Miss World website.

Performances from Sky Blu, The Vamps and the Miss World candidates themselves aided break the nervous tension as spectators and the ladies themselves waited to hear the results of each round.

One of the highlights of the evening came when the candidates surprised Beauty with a Purpose founder and Miss World chair Julia Morley with an honor in the form of a song number. She was then greeted by Miss World 1994, Bollywood royalty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Miss World 1953 Denise Perrier, and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

reported. Rebuilt with a loan of 93 million euros granted by the Portuguese State, the road linking the district of Mueda and the districts of Mocimboa da Praia and Palma is 122 kilometres long and the road between Mueda and Macomia is 103 kilometres

long. The two roads were rebuilt by construction companies Ceta, of Mozambique and Andrade Gutierrez, of Brazil. Guebuza then travelled on to Zambezia province to inaugurate the road between Gurué and Magige.High Commission of Mozambique

mONDAY | DECEmBER 22, 2014

include salt, pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in cement production), and limestone.

Its small number of wineries making Portuguese-style wines have traditionally focused on the domestic market, but have recently met with some international acclaim. A number of wine tours of Cape Verde's various microclimates began to be offered in spring 2010 and can be arranged through the tourism office. The economy of Cape Verde is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for more than

countryoftheweek04

Cape Verde formally the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an island country crossing

an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. Located 570 kilometres (350 miles) off the coast of Western Africa, the islands cover a mutual area of slightly over 4,000 square kilometres (1,500 sq mi).

Cape Verde's economy has been progressively mounting since the late 1990s, and it is now officially measured a country of average development, being only the second country to have achieved such transition, after Botswana in 1994.

Cape Verde's prominent economic growth and enhancement in living conditions despite a lack of natural resources has reaped international recognition, with other countries and international organizations often providing development aid. Since 2007, Cape Verde has been categorized as a developing nation.

Cape Verde has few natural resources. Only four of the ten main islands (Santiago, Santo Antão,São Nicolau, Fogo, and Brava) normally support significant agricultural production, and over 90% of all food consumed in Cape Verde is imported. Mineral resources

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70% of GDP. Although nearly 35% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 9% of GDP. Light manufacturing accounts for most of the remainder.

Fish and shellfish are plentiful, and small quantities are exported. Cape Verde has cold storage and freezing facilities and fish processing plants in Mindelo, Praia, and on Sal. Expatriate Cape Verdeans contribute an amount estimated at about 20% of GDP to the domestic economy through remittances. In spite of having few natural resources and being semi-desert, the country boasts the highest living standards in the region, and has fascinated thousands of immigrants of different nationalities.

Investment Opportunities in Cape Verde

FishingCape Verde’s waters are

opulent in under-exploited marine resources, forming a countless potential for investments in the fishing industry. The fishing industry is budding and backs to a large portion of the country’s exports. However, Cape Verde has fishing potential yet to be fully exploited. Two foremost international fishing grounds border the islands, which are

spread across

TourismPresently the islands of Sal

(alone, 65% of tourism activities in the country), Boa Vista, Sao Vicente and Santiago are desired there is growing need for modern accommodation facilities on other islands as well

Transport SectorOne of the main significances

in the transport sector area is to transform Cape Verde into a shipping support podium and a regional air transportation hub.

Sea Cluster As far as a Sea Cluster is

apprehensive, the Government is now endorsing the Island of S. Vincent as a Regional Center for processing, marketing and export of marine resources. Investments are greeted in cold storage, ship repair and maintenance, transshipment and Bunkering and handling facilities, along with major public-private partnerships for the construction and management of a new deep sea Port and of a Cruise Terminal in the Island of S. Vincent.

Air ClusterInvestments are very much

greeted into an Air Cluster, mainly in the privatization of the national air carrier – TACV.

The government is aiming at a strategic partnership for the development of synergies on traffic and economically profitable activities and operations with African, European and South and North American markets/destinations, along with major opportunities in the concession of the four major international airports operations and services. A niche of opportunities exists within this cluster for aircraft maintenance and handling and air navigation services.

Energy SectorCape Verde’s determined

growth plans in the energy sector is to have 50 percent of electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2020 which will necessitate big investments in power and water infrastructure, and their use of alternative energy presents great opportunities. Cape Verde has one of the best wind regimes in the World (18m/s) and a great potential for solar energy with a ratio of 6-8 kWh/m²/day.

Information and Communication Technology

Another priority area is in Information and Communication Technology, which is set to play a lead role in the economic expansion of the country in the medium and long terms.

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Cape verde aT a GLaNCeCountry official Name: Republic of Cape VerdeHead of state: Jorge Carlos Fonseca, PresidentCapital: PraiaIndependence day: July 5, 1975Religions: ChristianityTotal land Area: 4,036 square

CAPE VERDEO N T R A C K

kilometers (1,558 square miles)GDP: 1.888 billion USD (2013)Growth Rate: 0.9% annual change (2013)Population: 498,897(2013)Languages: Portuguese, CriouloClimate: The Tempo das Brisas (time of the winds) from October

to mid-July and the Tempo das chuvas (rainy season) from August to SeptemberExport Items: Shoes, clothes, fish, bananas, hides, pozzolana (volcanic rock, used to make cement)Import items: Refined Petroleum, Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft, Cement, Rice, and Cars Time Zone: UTC/GMT -1 hoursCurrency: Cape Verde escudo

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014

BusinessBuzz 05Guinness Ghana initiates GH¢515,000 water treatment plant for Alogboshie, Atebubu

Microsoft Lumia & Juliet Ibrahim to make Singapore trip happen for 3 couples

Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited has cut the sod for the commencement of two Water Health Centres for Alogboshie, a suburb of Achimota in the Ga West Municipality, and Atebubu in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The combined GH¢515,000 project is fully funded by GGBL and the Diageo Foundation and will provide access to clean potable drinking water to over 40,000 inhabitants of both communities under its flagship community investment programme, Water of Life.

This project brings to 9 the total number of Water Health Centres GGBL and Diageo Foundation have sponsored across the country since 2012.

A Water Health Centre is a miniature water treatment system consisting of boreholes connected to a reverse osmosis plant and a housed ultra violet system to treat water for communities.

What better place to spend the New Year (2015) than the beautiful South-Eastern Asian country of Singapore, home to the world’s most attractive tourist sites?

With just a week to Christmas, Microsoft Lumia, is offering beautiful and exciting Singapore to Ghanaians on a silver platter through its “#MakeItHappen”

p r o m o t i o n , running now till the end of December.

With just a ‘selfie’ taken with Lumia 530, 630, 535, 730, 830 and 930, and posted on Microsoft Lumia Ghana facebook page, one stands the chance of going on an all-expense paid dream holiday to Asia in the New Year.

E x p l a i n i n g the participation process, Mr. Kolawole Osinowo, Business Manager, Microsoft Mobile Devices and

Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony at Alogboshie, Richard Ahiagble, Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility Manager said,

“the selection of Alogboshie, a community close to our Achimota Brewery and Atebubu, where we source local raw materials for our production is in line with our commitment to invest in enriching communities in which we have direct operations and source locally. "

He revealed that last year, GGBL invested in a Community Health Post and the construction of a one classroom block as part of our employee volunteering programme for the Alogboshie community.

He added that recent research on the impact of the Water of Life programme revealed the effect to extend beyond the simple provision of access to clean drinking water.

"The study shows that the programme has contributed to the reduction of water-related diseases

As part of celebration to mark its second anniversary, the Royal Bank in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana Limited undertook a cleanup exercise at the Princess Marie-Louise Children's Hospital in Accra.

The initiative was aimed at exposing members of the community to the importance of maintaining a clean environment through frequent clean up exercises.

Management of staff of the bank were seen sweeping and cleaning gutters in an around the hospital to prevent any outbreak of communicable diseases.

The bank also donated an amount of GH¢5,000, food stuff, toiletries and other items to support the hospital upcoming Christmas party.

Head of Strategic Planning, Research and Corporate Affairs, Dr. Kwame Baah-Nuako said the decision to clean up is to support government campaign on sanitation.

He noted that the choice of the Children's Hospital for the exercise is to ensure children who are more susceptible to communicable

Royal Bank marks 2nd anniversary with clean-up exercise

diseases remain in good health to enjoy Christmas

Dr. Baah-Nuako said as a people centered bank, they always seek to champion social activities to improve the lives of the unprivileged in society.

“The focus area for the Royal Bank foundation is health and sanitation so when we decided to celebrate our second anniversary, it came naturally to the bank to do things that support what the foundation is doing” he added.

Dr. Baah-Nuako promised their continuous support for the Princess Marie-Louise Children's Hospital.

Receiving the items and cash donation on behalf of the hospital, the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Eric Sefah said the donation was very timely as they prepare for their Christmas party.

He stressed that the donation will go a long way to bring a smile to the faces of the children.

Dr. Eric Sefah made a passionate appeal to corporate institutions and individuals to support their bid to provide a better health facility

Modern Ghana

from 15% to 3% in the communities where a Water of Life project has been placed. We hope that with the construction of this facility, we can create jobs and empower these communities as well”, he added.

Ekow Blankson, Vice President and Business Head of WaterHealth International, Ghana added

“Guinness Ghana has partnered with us to provide WaterHealth centres to over 8 communities. The feedback from these communities has been great and the impact has been tremendous. We are excited to partner on these projects as well and are happy at the level of support we are already receiving from the two communities. We will be training and employing residents from these communities to operate and manage the facility once completed – creating local jobs and supporting livelihoods.”

The two projects are expected to be completed by January 2015.

Modern Ghana

Service, Ghana, said, “to qualify for the promotion, one has to take a selfie with one or all of the selected Lumia phones and upload them to Microsoft Lumia Ghana Facebook page with the Hashtag #MakeItHappen #Ghana #LumiaSelfie followed by the IMEI number of the phone(s)

As part the campaign, market activations are currently on-going at selected Malls and shopping centres including, the Telefonika Store – West Hills Mall, Compu Ghana Store, Marina Mall, and the OSU Mall. Celebrity Juliet Ibrahim the brand ambassador for the #MakeitHappen Campaign will also make an appearance at the selected malls to part take in the

‘selfie’ sessions.

He disclosed that owners of the top three ‘selfies’ shots will win an all-expense paid trip to Singapore with a partner. Mr. Osinowo urged Ghanaians to make this year’s Christmas a memorable one using Lumia phones to capture all their wonderful moments.

The Lumia range of 730 and 830 boosts a full High Definition 5megapixel front facing camera for users to take perfect selfies and share quickly and easily on their social networks, while the Lumia 830 with its sleek and elegant look, brings Microsoft’s flagship style and performance to more people with integrated Microsoft experiences and superior PureView imaging.

Modern Ghana

mONDAY | DECEmBER 22, 2014

frAnkLY sPeaKinG06

By kirit soBti, editor, [email protected]

After epochs outside the global financial mainstream, Africa is now becoming one of the world’s most flying markets and a progressively

sought-after investment destination.There are rich reasons for this striking

re-evaluation. African economies are escalating on the back of growing commodity prices, trade and foreign investment, while swelling consumer affluence is serving to drive demand for goods and services.

What is more, the development to date is dwarfed by Africa’s enormous potential for economic growth, powered by continuing development in business situations and increasing globalization. Also, while many African nations endure to be held back by matters such as political and civil instability, poverty, poor infrastructure and concerns over governance, more and more African countries are now getting over with these barriers.

In nations across the world, understanding shows that economic growth is intimately related to a strong banking sector. Banking, through its fundamentally vigorous role in funding an economy, lifts economic activity. Other financial services companies also have an imperative role to play, as suppliers of services and developers of financial infrastructure. To deliver these paybacks more efficiently in Africa, major banks and insurers are now vigorously examining how best to expand their impression there.

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) are public investment and development institutions possessed by their member governments that deliver funding, technical help and policy advice, research and other non-financial support to governments in “developing” and “transition” countries.

Many IFIs also furnish financing to companies capitalising in the developing world. IFIs, of which the World Bank and IMF are the best known, are the major source of development finance in the world, lending between US$30 and $50 billion to low- and middle-income countries each year. These IFIs take on diverse roles. Some provide loans and grants to governments, for definite projects or for policy reforms and technical support. Others invest in private businesses or provide guarantees (insurance) for private sector projects.

IFIs, and in particular the World Bank, are also a foremost source of development “knowledge” and policies, and de-facto standard-setters for international finance and investment. Because of their roles as lenders and as knowledge brokers, IFIs exercise noteworthy inspiration over policy-making in many countries across Latin America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe.

IFIs shape the complete amount and composition of development financing available to countries, directly and indirectly. Research and analysis from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) about a country’s economic policies often affect how much other donors are keen to contribute or how much businesses invest there. The role of the Bank and Fund as “gatekeepers” for international finance and credit is robust for aid-dependent countries without credit ratings than for countries that have access to

A Continent Whose Time Has Come

Ebola has no passport; it respects no borders. It is a very dynamic epidemic. This is why - on top of this work with the WHO - the AfDB will invest an additional $150 million to assist its regional member governments through budget support operations in order to pay health workers, equip health centres, and create jobs.Pierre LAPorte,

The Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Seychelles.

Mr. DonALD KAberuKA, President, AFDB.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group, during its ordinary sitting on Monday, December 15, 2014 in Abidjan, approved a proposed ADF loan of US $39 million to the Republic of Zambia, and a grant of US $12 million from the Bank’s Transition Support Facility (TSF) and a grant of US $24 million from the African Development Fund Regional Operations (RO) envelope to the Republic of Zimbabwe for the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project.

The project involves the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam infrastructure by reshaping the plunge pool and rehabilitating the spillway. The plunge pool will be reshaped in order to dissipate energy from the spilled water thereby reducing the energy on impact and hence bedrock erosion which could undermine the dam foundations, leading to dam failure. The project will rehabilitate the spillway gates to avoid possible jamming in the open or closed positions both of which would result in dam failure and catastrophic regional loss of lives, livelihoods, and billions worth of assets and power.

The value-added of the Bank Group in this project is being part of the donor group to ensure adequate financing of the project, as well as helping in the design of additional technical and social investigations to assure the technical, social integrity and economic soundness of the rehabilitation approach. Specifically, the Bank Group has been able to leverage internal resources under the Transition Support Facility to fund the Zimbabwe’s contribution to the project costs when no other financier was in a position to assist, demonstrating strong commitment to being a development partner to countries in situations of fragility and transition, contribute to mitigation of the risk to fragility, ensuring human safety to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and the region as well as support the regional integration agenda. The Bank is also contributing to the creation of work synergy between the Southern African Power Pool and the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to enhance regional integration.

The project will include a capacity-building component which includes training for technical staff of the ZRA and skills transfer through the supervision engineer and panel of experts. The programme will strengthen ZRA’s Emergency Preparedness Plan and also includes a programme for improved community emergency preparedness.

AfDB

AfDB approves US $70 million Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project

The reason the Cat DDO, which is financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is so significant is because it provides immediate liquidity when medium-sized or cumulative disasters hit Seychelles, as a result, we can avoid diverting the funds originally set aside for development projects attending to the needs of our country's poorest.

In nations across the world, understanding shows that economic growth is intimately related to a strong banking sector.

international capital markets.Many IFIs, like the World Bank, uphold that the

intentions of their support for investment projects or policy reforms in developing countries are to diminish poverty and hearten sustainable economic growth. Nevertheless, much of the money provided in the name of development does not eventually help the people most in need. In large part, this is because the public has little say in development decisions.

First, international financial institutions furnish financing - typically loans but also, in some cases, a noteworthy grant element - to aid the country's authorities reach aims agreed upon in discussion with the former. The financing may upkeep specific investments - in, for example, infrastructure and capacity building - or it may be part of a sector-specific or economy-wide adjustment program.

Second, international financial institutions support national authorities' determinations to design policies to attain specific economic and social targets. This typically involves extensive consultations with both officials and private sector representatives, and between the headquarters and resident staffs of the international financial institutions to identify the bottlenecks and most important issues that the country faces. These are usually followed on the groundwork of a written report summarizing the findings and proposed policy recommendations of the international financial institutions' staffs. The policy packages agreed upon may include funds or other assistance precisely targeted on augmenting capacity

in social or economic areas.Third, international financial

institutions boost the growth, distribution, and acceptance of internationally accepted values and codes of good practice in economic, financial, and business activities. The acceptance and implementation of such standards and codes add to the development and enhanced functioning of domestic institutions, which, in turn, can benefit countries better integrate themselves into the world economy and help from growing globalization.

Fourth, international financial institutions provide training

on a multitude of topics. This training can take place within the outline of a detailed project that a country enforces with the provision of an international financial institution - for example, projects calling for reform of public enterprises, the civil service, tax administration, or the financial sector. It can also be delivered in courses, workshops, and seminars untaken by the training institutions of international financial institutions.

And, fifth, international financial institutions cooperate - in Africa and other regions - with regional training and research institutions (including the African Capacity Building Foundation and the African Economic Research Consortium) to simplify knowledge transfer; train economic analysts, officials, and "trainers"; and support economic research.

Whereas international financial institutions can play a noteworthy role, it is important to underscore that they should play only a supporting role and that the countries themselves should, and do, have the primary accountability for building their capacities.

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014

traVeL&tourisM 07

The Mesmerizing MalaboMalabo is the capital city of Equatorial

Guinea. Found on the edge of this city is a deep-set volcano. This site has endorsed Malabo to have an exceptional terrain and wildlife, combined with the buzz of being an African capital city.

The Santa Isabel Cathedral is a must-see for all visitors to the African city, positioned in the Plaza de España. The cathedral is built in a Gothic-Spanish style, and makes available a contrast to the architecture around it. The Presidential palace is situated in the same square, and is worth a visit as well. Positioned on a volcano, Malabo offers sights such as craters and lakes that cannot be seen elsewhere.

The beaches are a widespread leisure or weekend spot for locals and tourists alike, and a day must be certainly be spent on the beach.

Getting Around Equatorial GuineaAir: There are flights between Malabo

and Bata every day except Sunday; it is advisable to book in advance. Iberia (IB) (website: www.iberia.com) operates direct flights from Madrid to Malabo. Cameroon Airlines (UY) operates regular flights to Malabo from London, Paris and Rome. Other airlines serving Equatorial Guinea include Air France, Brussels Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Swiss and Spanair.

Road: Bush taxis connect Malabo with the islands two other main towns, Luba and Riaba, and also run from Bata to Mongomo and Ebebiyin; they can be hired hourly or daily.

Water: There is a ferry between Malabo, Bata and

Douala. The trip takes about 12 hours.

There are

It’s UNTOUCHED100%

Equatorial Guinea is a country of luscious vegetation and beautiful scenery, including tropical forests and snow-capped volcanoes. The capital, Malabo, is a rather rundown but attractive town, with pleasant Spanish colonial architecture, a striking volcanic setting and a lively market. The white-sand beaches around the islands are

stunning. No wonder the country was first of all named 'Formosa', meaning 'beautiful', by the Portuguese.

The area was first colonized by the Portuguese in the late 15th century and handed over to the Spanish in 1788. Self-government was granted in 1959, followed by full independence in 1968.Its economy has expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil and gas deposits in the Gulf of Guinea, though little of this wealth has trickled down to the general population.

four classes of fare.

Shopping in Equatorial GuineaMarkets sell local produce such as beans,

rice, fruit, vegetables, oil and bush meat as well as fabric and clothing in traditional African prints, hardware and local crafts. However, prices may not be much cheaper than at home because many goods have to be imported from the mainland. Expect to barter in the markets.

Where to stay in Equatorial Guinea

Malabo, Bata, Luba and Ebebiyan offer several hotels of variable standards. In Malabo, there are also a few hostels offering basic cheap accommodation with shared bathroom facilities (two of which are located in Avenida de las Naciónes).

A Luxurious Leisure Experience Awaits You!!

If you’re captivated by Mother Nature, Equatorial Guinea is your Dreamland. Offering a variety of things to do with a splash of vibrancy, Equatorial Guinea has all of the benefits of a nation which strive to fascinate inbound leisure tourists, in particular prosperous inbound tourists. The amalgamation of pleasant weather, African rhythms and Spanish flair makes for a great day. Its many high-class hotels and solid infrastructure, pooled with glorious natural sites and unspoiled beaches make Equatorial Guinea eye-catching for luxury leisure tourists.

It’s Finger Licking Good!!Equatorial Guinea has many yummy and

delicious foods. Distinctive to most West African countries in the continent, they use peanuts, tomatoes, cassava, yams and a few treats, like monkey

meat, that isn't readily a v a i l a b l e in the US - even from an o u t l a n d i s h meat vendor. C u s t o m a r y b r e a k f a s t foods include:

boiled yams or cassava, bean cakes and ground millet porridge, which is very similar to grits. French food is common in Malabo, and some of the hotels can make available very genuine French cuisine. Local food is simply available by the roadside. A safer play would certainly be the hotel

cafeteria or restaurant, where a dish of smoked beef and pepper is the prevalent national dish.

Malabo: The small but striking capital city abounds in Spanish colonial architecture and pleasant open plazas. The bustling market and the Spanish Colonial Center are worth a visit.

Climbing Volcanoes: The spectacular Pico Malabo volcano is an easy day trip from the city of Malabo. Arrange an expedition to take in its breathtaking views.

Beaches: The area around the mainland city of Bata boasts several beautiful and undeveloped beaches. Those at Mbini, just 32 miles (51.5 kilometers) south of Bata, are particularly gorgeous.

Local Liquors: Malamba, made from sugarcane, and osang, a type of African tea, are the national drinks. Locally brewed beer and palm wine are also abundant.

Market Shopping: Markets can be found in most cities and towns. In addition to local produce, bush meat, and textiles, many markets feature local handicrafts.

Monte Alen National Park: This Park’s tropical forests are home to gorillas, elephants,

chimpanzees, and many other creatures. Hire a local villager for a guided day trek through the park’s 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) of rain forest.

Bata Nightlife: This mainland city may feel small by day, but its nightlife is impressive. Be prepared for a long night; nightclubs typically don’t get going until quite late and are still jumping in the wee hours.

Moca Valley: Situated in the

southern highlands of Bioko Island, this valley is home to the indigenous Buki people and offers plenty in the way of hiking and flora sightseeing.

Annobon: Head to the island of Annobon to see three of the country’s most famous mountain peaks, Pico del Fuega, Pico Centro, and Pico Surtado. Pico Surtado, the southernmost peak, is an inactive volcano whose crater now contains an impressive lake.

Arena Blanca: If you visit during the summer, Arena Blanca is a must-see. Its white-sand beaches are dazzling and enjoyable year-round. They literally come alive in the summertime with thousands of butterflies that nest there seasonally.

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What to Do in Equatorial Guinea

mONDAY | DECEmBER 22, 2014

tALkinGtecHnoLoGy08

M/s Power Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd. (PEIPL) and Power Engineering Sales Ltd., UK (PESL) are flagship companies of the Pai Kane Group.

PEIPL is a leading manufacturer of diesel generators sets, gas generators sets, lighting towers, electrical panels and compact substations - all with the 'Pai Kane' brand. These products, though world-class in quality, are competitively priced.

Pai Kane also supplies pumps/pump-sets, ups, inverters, stabilizers, pressure transducers /transmitters, compressors, HT panels, welding machines, blocksets and switchgears.

PEIPL exports its products to over 30 countries of the world, which include some African countries. With over 15 years of experience in the field of power

generation, its current m a n u f a c t u r i n g capacity for gensets is 15,000 sets per year, with a range from 5 kVA to 3000 kVA.

PEIPL has been an OEM for leading

engine brands, such as Perkins – UK, Volvo Penta – Sweden, MAN-Germany, Doosan - Korea, MTU

- Germany, Mitsubishi - Japan, Maxxforce (Mahindra Navistar) - USA, Lombardini - Italy, Escorts

- India; as also for the leading alternator brands such as Stamford, Leroy Somer and Mecc Alte.

For its natural gas gensets, it partners with Perkins - UK for the range of gas gensets from 350 kVA - 1250 kVA and with Doosan - Korea for the range of gas gensets from 135 kVA to 350 kVA.

With its own in-house design capabilities, PEIPL provides complete turnkey solutions right

from design - through assembly, auxiliary m a n u f a c t u r i n g (synchronizing panels, control panels, base frames, acoustics etc), supply, installation and commissioning - to maintenance. PEIPL offers standard, as well as customized, diesel and natural / bio-gas gensets to its customers

in Middle East Asia, South East Asia, and rest of Asia, Africa and Europe. Its manufacturing facility is one of the few in the world to be DNV certified for ISO 9001:2008 , ISO 14001:2004 for and OHSAS 18001:2007 - for its integrated Quality, Environment, Occupational Health and Safety System.

Having adopted the Toyota Production System across the organization, the company has invested in state of the art technology to ensure that consistently high quality products are churned out. PEIPL has supplied innumerable gensets to almost every single sector of human endeavor/construction :residential complexes, hotels,

educational institutions, medical institutions, banks and their data centers, telecommunication, retail chain, various infrastructure projects of the government and non-government agencies etc.

Pai Kane brand generators are designed to meet the future demands of the power generation industry for clean and efficient power, offering high performance, dependability and reliability, while meeting the increasingly stringent emission requirements of the market. PEIPL's comprehensive, value-engineered, power generation solutions, coupled with its process-oriented skilled workforce, have a one-point agenda, “Customer Delight”. For this, PEIPL has embarked on a

Get Uninterrupted Power Solutions

process of innovative techniques and solutions. It designs its power products to meet future demands of the power generation industry: clean and efficient power, high performance, dependability, reliability and meeting increasingly stringent emission requirements. It offer not just products, but comprehensive, value-engineered, power generation solutions using innovative techniques and process oriented skilled workforce.

visit www.paikane.com for more information. Should

you need any solutions or any products that PEIPL could give

you, you may write to [email protected]

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014

trysoMethinGnew 09

ingredients2 onions, roughly chopped

30g butter, plus extra for greasing

500 g free-range beef mince

salt

Black pepper, freshly ground

2 slices brown bread, crusts trimmed

315ml buttermilk

4 free-range eggs

65ml dried apricots, finely chopped

1 apple, peeled and grated

65ml seedless raisins

2 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp mild curry powder

Bay or lemon leaves

1/4 tsp turmeric, ground

uPCOMING

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny

tHougHt oFtHe WeeK

'Adding muscle to your Business' - FICCI-CMSME workshop for MSMEs

The workshop is aimed to deliver simple methods by which MSMEs can strengthen their business. These methods encompass understanding of brands and branding, the tools of marketing such as marketing strategy, business planning, digital strategy, etc. To achieve these objectives a participative methodology is used, that combines putting practical exercises into practice and using equipment and tools to strengthen the theory sessions with the help of Knowledge Partner BENEFFECT.

Date: 22 Dec, 2014 Venue: FICCI, New Delhi

Delhi HR Conclave - Diversity Promotes Creativity : Fundamental Legal Advice to Industry on HR Matters

Organizations are operating in an extremely interconnected world today. This has increased the complexity for HR too, as it needs to cater to the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce. HR is a relatively young field, and there are significant challenges to its future. The role of human resources has been evolving for some time. The Conclave would extend an opportunity for individuals associated with the field of HRM, namely the corporate managers, faculty members and students, to learn and interact with the eminent panelists.

Date: 23 December 2014 Venue: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

Seminar on empowering SMEs through addressing their financing needs

The objective of this seminar is to enable SMEs to benefit from various new financing schemes of our partnering banks and financial institutions through CII Finance Facilitation Centre. The seminar will bring in all key stakeholders under one roof and provide a platform for the SMEs to interact with our partnering Banks/Financial Institutions.

Date: 23 Dec, 2014 Venue: Hotel Taj Gateway, Visakhapatnam, India.

Investor Conclave

The objective of the conclave is to highlight Nagpur’s latent potential as a hub of future investments. The agenda is designed to benefit both the Investor community and the local industry, with the aim to create a sustainable long term platform between investors and industry. The Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr Devendra Fadnavis would give the inaugural address; senior officials from Government, Industry and leading thought leaders will also address the conclave during various sessions.

Date: 28 Dec, 2014 Venue: Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur, India.

prepration Method1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Gently cook the onion in the heated butter until meltingly soft and golden.

3. Add the beef mince and pan fry for 5 minutes with the onion.

4. Season to taste.

5. Tear the bread into bits and mash it with 65ml of buttermilk and 1 beaten egg.

6. Mix the apricots, apple, raisins, sugar, curry powder and bay leaves and then mix it with the mince and bread.

7. Turn into a buttered baking dish (one large dish or individual dishes).

8. Beat the remaining 2 eggs with the rest of the buttermilk and the turmeric, and pour over the spiced meat mixture.

9. Bake for 20 minutes or until the topping is set and golden.South Africa's indigenous cuisine

BOBOTIE

HealtH benefits of MEDITATION THInK &

nAIl IT…

There are about 280,000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia

sOuTH AfRICA

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari being presented a book titled “Life of Muhammad” authored by the President of the Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Mr. Hichem Djait, by the Ambassador of Tunisia to India, Mr. Tarek Azouz, in New Delhi on December 15, 2014.

Picture of tHe weeK

• It lowers oxygen consumption.

• It decreases respiratory rate.

• It increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.

• Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.

• Leads to a deeper level of relaxation.

• Good for people with high blood pressure as it brings the B.P. to normal.

• Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.

• Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.

• Builds self-confidence.

• It increases serotonin production which influences mood and behaviour. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches.

• Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis etc.

• Reduces Pre- menstrual Syndrome.

• Helps in post-operative healing.

• Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.

• Also reduces activity of viruses and emotional distress.

1. A man is standing in front of a painting of a man, and he tells us the following: "Brothers and sisters have I none, but this man's father is my father's son". Who is on the painting?

2. It is dark in my bedroom and I want to get two socks of the same color from my drawer, which contains 24 red and 24 blue socks. How many socks do I have to take from the drawer to get at least two socks of the same color?

3. A hunter leaves his cabin early in the morning and walks one mile due south. Here he sees a bear and starts chasing it for one mile due east before he is able to shoot the bear. After shooting the bear, he drags it one mile due north back to his cabin where he started that

morning. What color is the bear?

4. A certain street contains 100 buildings. They are numbered from 1 to 100. How many times does the digit 9 occur in these numbers?

5. Consider two cans, the first containing one liter of milk and the second containing one liter of water. Suppose you take one cup of milk out of the first can and pour it into the second can. After mixing, you take one cup of the mixture from the second can and pour it back into the first can. Which of the following statements holds now?

Answers: 1) His son, 2) 3, 3) White, 4) 20, 5) There is as much water in the first can as there is milk in the second can.

mONDAY | DECEmBER 22, 2014

thefasHionistas10

It was all laughter and fun as the Comedy Knights treated comedy lovers to an overdose

of their rib cracking jokes at Kigali Serena Hotel in a show dubbed, “Comedy Jam Holiday Special.”

The show started with an energetic dance performance by the Kimisagara-based dance crew Snippers, who curtain raised for the first comedian on stage Big Brother Hotshot Arthur Nkusi, aka Rutula kalokalo.

Arthur’s jokes were largely about his time in the Big Brother Africa House.

Later, his colleagues Babou and Micheal Sengazi, and the founder of Crackers comedy Alex Muhangi and Kigingi, from Burundi, took to the floor and made a laughter stampede.

Speaking to The New Times, Jerome Uwonkunda, the manager of Comedy Knights, said, “The reason we organised this show is because we wanted to give a

Celebrity Kingking PY Addo Boateng, has won the maiden edition of the Frytol Oil Celebrity Cook-off which was held on Saturday at the Yiri Lodge,

University of Ghana campus.The Frytol Xmas Celebrity cook-off saw Ghana’s

favourite actress Jasmine Baroudi and a man who is no stranger to our screens PY Addo Boateng go head to head with chefs from African Sun Amber Hotel, Accra.

PY beat Jasmine by margin of public votes and tasting of food by Chefs from African Sun Amber Hotel, Accra.

PY won the day with the Recipe, Beef Filet with Sauteed Potatoes and Vegetables.

Event host Naa Ashorkor was with both teams and learned how they made their dishes and learning about our celebrities pet hates, passions and digging into their personal lives.

In an interview with newsmen, Fatima Ali Mohammed, MD for Wilmar International, producers of Frytol, said the company is seeking to create awareness about the Frytol brand in a more unique and fun manner.

"The Frytol brand is most loved in Ghana and we are using celebrities to create awareness by engaging them in fun food cooking activities," she said.

She also revealed that the event is going to be an annual affair with change in venues from year to year.

Frytol Xmas Cook-off is a fun food competition seeking to create awareness about the Frytol brand and exploring all the different dishes that can be made with Frytol product.

This event was organized by Sixth Sense Manifesto.Modern Ghana

Two of the best out of Africa, have been announced by the International Committee of All Africa Music, AFRIMA, to host the 2014 edition of the AFRIMA awards. They are Democratic Republic of Congo “French speaking hottest” female broadcaster and music presenter, Madinga Sona Maria and Nigerian legendary contemporary music star, 2Face Idibia. The two are the co-host of AFRIMA award ceremony holding in Lagos Nigeria on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the prestigious grand ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking about the collaboration between the two popular hosts, Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr Mike Dada, said, “The award ceremony is going to be explosive with 2Face and Madinga Sona Maria, two accomplished creative Africans, holding sway and guiding our distinguished guests and nominees through the programme. We promise to bring to Africa electrifying performances from our nominees and invited guest performers. Then add this to the famous faces and glamour of the African icons on the first- of- its-kind red carpet activity…It is going to be a spectacular show!”

Mandinga Sona Maria is a beauty to behold with a towering height of 1.78m. Mandiga who looks every inch a model is the hottest female broadcaster in Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo. Her musical show, Cite de

Comedy Knights cracks ribs at Serenaspecial time to our fans. We will be doing a big show every three months and will be bringing in renowned comedians from South Africa or Nigeria.”

“We want to thank our partners KFM and Serena Hotel who made it possible for us to stage this show; the next show will be at Christian Life Assembly

2face, Madinga to host 2014 All Africa Music Award

Star is the biggest music show in Democratic Republic of Congo. A combination of beauty and brain, Mandinga presents her musical show on Digital Congo Television and Radio. She is also a performer.

A truly home grown music star, 2Face Idibia is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artist in Africa. He is one of the most bankable artists in the continent. 2Face has received so many awards among which are MTV Europe Music Award, World Music Award, Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), Channel OMusic Video Awards, and BET award for his musical works, MTV Africa Music Awards, MOBO award, KORA award, and numerous additional nominations. 2Baba, the stage name 2Face recently adopted, started his musical career with the Plantashun Boyz and together the group recorded two successful albums, Body and Soul and Sold Out. He went solo in 2004 and came out with his first solo album titled Face to Face. His latest album was released this year titled The Ascension and it features other artistes across the continent.

On hosting 2014 AFRIMA 2Face expressed his excitement when he said, “I am happy to be part of this history making event. I am delighted to host Africa, Africa is the future. I welcome Africa and the world to AFRIMA here in the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria. Let’s celebrate Africa together! ”

With 2Face and Mandiga

anchoring the event, combined with the grandeur of the Grand Ballroom of Oriental Hotel with an African ambience, truly AFRIMA is set to host Africa and the world.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, the 2014 All Africa Music Awards will be a festival style open concert of non-stop music, fanfare and fashion exhibition from countries across Africa and performances by African artistes.

AFRIMA is proudly supported by ONE, Africa 2.0, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, and PRMAFRICA. It is being sponsored by Kenya Airways, Procter and Gamble, Peugeot, Diamond Bank, Uber among others.

AFRIMA is aimed at communicating the strength of Africa to the rest of the world for global competitiveness.

AFRIMA for hope, for celebration!

Modern Ghana

Wins Maiden Frytol Celebrity Cook-Off

Celebrity Kingkong PY

Church in Nyarutarama, on December 26.”

Walter Kagaba, a fan, said: “I was very impressed by the performances, initially I thought it was just another performance but it turned out to be pretty amazing. I’m looking forward to attending their next show.”

New Times

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014

sPorts2wAtch 11

The Ghana FA have been instructed to revise its budget for the 2015 Africa

Cup of Nations due to contrasting views over the Black Stars' pre-tournament camping base.

Reports are rife new Black Stars coach Avram Grant prefers to have the team camped in Spain ahead of the tournament.

The GFA have however earmarked locations in the UAE or South Africa to hold the team's pre-tournament camp.

A budget was sent to the Sports Ministry for consideration based on 'past experience' with respect to the camping site for the Black Stars.

But Sports Minister Mahama Ayariga has asked the GFA to revise its budget to accommodate the camping preference of the coach.

“The GFA brought a budget based on past experience,” Ayariga said.

“[The camping site] appears to be different from what the coach wants so I asked the GFA to go back and revise the budget.

“The amount [of revised

Juventus and Andrea Pirlo were the big winners in the Gran Gala del Calcio, but Napoli boycotted the ceremony.

The votes for the best players of 2014 were provided by the AIC - the Italian Players' Association.

Scudetto winners Juve were voted Team of the Year, while Gigi Buffon, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andrea Barzagli, Paul Pogba, Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez joined the Best XI. Pirlo was singled out as

sports Minister instructs Ghana fA to revise 2015 AfCOn budget over contrasting camping base

Nations Cup 2015: Equatorial Guinea preparations underway

italy's best: Asamoah voted into Serie A team of the year

budget] could be higher based on traveling changes due to the changes in the camping base.”

The Ghana FA's decision to camp in the UAE is believed to be influence by the high probability of securing friendly matches with African teams with most of them also looking to camp around the same location. A similar situation prevailed ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations where most African teams camped in the UAE ahead of the competition in South Africa.

The Black Stars secured friendlies against North African giants Egypt and Tunisia ahead of the tournament.

Favourable weather conditions and superior training facilities in the Gulf state also enforces the GFA's preference but Avram Grant appears to have a contrasting view.

Ghana must prepare adequately to face the strong challenge of Group C where they will be battling Senegal, South Africa and Algeria when the competition kicks off in Equatorial Guinea in January.

Modern Ghana

CAF took the finals away from Morocco, who had demanded a delay due to their fears over Ebola. The stadiums in Malabo and Bata were both used as venues when Equatorial Guinea co-hosted the 2012 Nations Cup with Gabon. However work needs to be done on the grounds in both Ebebeyin and Mongomo.

“The turf for Mongomo and Ebebeyin stadiums is going to be brought by plane from Europe,” one of the supervisors told the BBC. Work also needs to be done on the stadium structure and other facilities, but all those involved in the preparations are confident the work will be completed in time. “Time is a big challenge but the good thing is that it's not new for us to

work against time,” said Francisca Obiang Jimenez, the president of the Office of National Projects, who was there supervising the works.

The new highway built to connect Bata and Mongomo.

“We have built almost an entire city, Sipopo, in about two years and we've also built a highway.

The new highway means you can travel from Bata, on the coast, to Mongomo, located near the eastern border with Gabon, in around two hours. While the stadiums look set to be ready in time, having enough accommodation could be a challenge for the organisers in both Mongomo

and Ebebeyin. Some of the social housing buildings that could be used for accommodation during the Nations Cup

Ebebeyin has only one large hotel of international standards.

The government and organisers are also taking measures against the possibility of the deadly Ebola virus getting into the country. Fans being screened for Ebola at the Bata Stadium.

All passengers arriving at Malabo airport from abroad are having their temperature checked. There was also an Ebola screening exercise at Bata stadium, before a match of the CEMAC (Economic Community of Central African States) Cup, which is currently being staged in Equatorial Guinea.

“During the Cup of Nations, there will be other controls and this kind of protection will be happening further away from the stadium,” a local fan, Juan Esono, told us.

A Cameroonian working at the Mongomo stadium told BBC Sport: “I've been checked many times for Ebola when crossing the border near Ebebeyin. So I don't think there will be a problem with the virus here.”

Modern Ghana

Player of the Year thanks to his performances for the Bianconeri.

Gonzalo Higuain was voted best centre-forward, but Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis refused to let his players attend the ceremony.

Ciro Immobile won the award as best right-sided striker and Capocannoniere due to his time at Torino, though he joined Borussia Dortmund over the summer.

Matteo Darmian of Torino was

best right-back, while ex-Roma defender Mehdi Benatia beat Giorgio Chiellini and Davide Astori to the best centre-back trophy.

Antonio Conte received the award as Coach of the Year ahead of Rudi Garcia at Roma and Fiorentina's Vincenzo Montella.

AIC Best XI: Buffon; Darmian, Barzagli, Benatia, Asamoah; Pogba, Pirlo, Vidal; Immobile, Higuain, Tevez.

Modern Ghana

mONDAY | DECEmBER 22, 2014

encounter WitH eDitor12

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

What do you think African countries should do to give their population the technology they want such as the broadband services?

The priority should be to invest in the foundations and infrastructure from which people can access services that enhance and add value to their lives – TV has proved itself over the last 50+ years as a medium where users can access information, education and entertainment from a single platform. Digitization is essential to enable operators to transit their users in engaging more and scalable TV services

– from enhancing traditional linear broadcasts, to push-VoD and catch-up TV. Increasingly users today use the internet to access the services they want being their location, and how they want too; Africa’s unique geography and demographics mean that whilst fixed infrastructure can be deployed in the main cities, wireless broadband (3G and now 4G LTE) is fast becoming the most viable technology for bringing the internet to rural populations. Infrastructure needs investment and regulation to ensure open and fair accessibility for all users – this will need private companies and public bodies to co-operate and build the technology eco-system that enables all Africans to benefit.

What are the key features of DStv's Explora decoder and what are the local manufacturer companies getting involved in this partnership to produce them locally?

Although Explora has been designed with Internet connectivity keeping in mind a major feature of the Explora that is its ability to provide subscribers with the same experience as they would get in a market where broadband is readily available and affordable but without the need to use the internet. This is achieved through expanding the amount of video on demand content stored, with content delivered over satellite stored on Explora via a dedicated tuner.

What have been the challenges they were facing so far when considering local reality in terms of capacity?

There have been a number of challenges in establishing full manufacturing capability for Pace products, these have been from establishing supply chain, to instilling world-class manufacturing processes and procedures throughout maintaining product quality standards Pace and our customers expect.

This has very much been a phased approach with our operations team

working with our local manufacturing partner from day 1 – establishing production work flows, quality processes, moving from assembly to full surface mount technology manufacturing, ramping capacity step by step, to the point where we now have a fully operational capability to produce STBs for the South Africa and wider African market from our East London facility.

Whilst some of the core electronic components (silicon for example) still need to imported, Pace are committed to sourcing as much material as possible locally, not only supporting the local economy but helping to reduce lead-time and a value add supply chain for our customers. We have engaged with local companies for the supply of plastics, printing, and packaging and continue to review suppliers against bill of materials.

How will some African countries and population benefit from these technologies since they are produced locally?

Pace are 100% committed to Africa. That commitment comes with responsibility and accountability that we do the right thing when it comes to ensuring local people not only benefit from our products and services, but

also have a chance to become part of growing that success across the continent. Our manufacturing facility in East London not only creates employment within the region, but also gives people the opportunity to become skilled in the manufacture of high volume consumer electronics, skills that give them future mobility across the industry and also educate and up skill their colleagues.

In a many parts across the Sub-Saharan African region, rural markets are not attractive for products such as these PACE digital TV technology which are instead focusing on urban areas? What do you think are the main barriers for this mind set change?

Pace is a global player across a wide variety of international markets from advanced to emerging, specifically Pace is investing in a number of products that will help Africa with digitalisation in bring entry-level TV and broadband services to rural areas. Rapidly evolving markets such as Brazil, APAC, Russia/CEE and Africa are where we have an opportunity to get people onto the first rung of the digital ladder – whether TV or Internet – by helping them with their first step, maybe, people will stay loyal for the second and third steps.

The lack of both financial and human resource skills emerged a need to enable the transition from the old analogue television broadcasting system to a modern digital system by 2015 as instructed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is said to advance at slow pace in many countries across Africa. Although the television has proved itself over the last 50 years as the sole medium where users can gain information, education and entertainment from a single platform, there is still a challenge to engage subscribers with this technology, Darren Granger, the Regional Sales Director at Africa at PACE, one of the a leading technology solutions provider to the PayTV and broadband service industries told Indo Africa Times in an exclusive interview.

EnHAnCInG BusInEss In AfRICA

Darren Granger Regional Sales Director, Africa at Pace

MONDAY | DECEMBER 22, 2014