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africatimesnewss · 4 years ago

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Unveiling Shadows: Agyapa Deal Raises Concerns Over Transparency, Nepotism, and Financial Oversight in Ghana's Mining Sector

Recent developments surrounding the Akufo-Addo government's initiatives for the establishment of the offshore Agyapa Minerals Royalties Limited have raised concerns about transparency, procurement irregularities, and value-for-money analysis. The process, aimed at managing Ghana's equity interests in mining companies and royalties per the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018, has come under scrutiny, with allegations of a lack of transparency in the $2 million expenditure and absence of competitive tendering.

Unveiling Shadows: Agyapa Deal Raises Concerns Over Transparency, Nepotism, and Financial Oversight in Ghana's Mining Sector

The subject of Akufo-Addo government’s processes towards the establishment of the offshore Agyapa Minerals Royalties Limited, to receive and manage Ghana’s equity interests in mining companies, as well as royalties per the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act 2018, has gotten murkier with issue lack of transparency, procurement infractions and values for money analysis.

So far, a whopping US$2 million, has been expended on the process, but it is emerging that, it did not go through competitive tendering.

Indeed, some key persons deeply rooted in the transaction, including the Deputy Minister of Finance, Charles Adu Boahene and Gabby Otchere Darko, have openly admitted to insider information and headhunting of the consultants, companies among others.

Although, Mr Adu Boahene, said part of the deal was advertised in 2018, leading to the hiring of Accra-based together with the Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, the UK-based law firm, White & Case, with whom Gabby Asare-Otchere Darko, had admitted to The Herald, as well as Asempa FM that he has a partnership with, through his private law firm, Africa Legal Associates, Bright Simons of IMANI Africa, disputed this, saying he and other civil society organizations, are yet to see any such advertisement on Agyapa.

But the most bizarre thing, is the explanation offered for recruitment of Kofi Osafo-Marfo, son of Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Marfo, which was influenced largely based on the fact that he was a classmate of the Deputy Minister of Finance, saying he attended the same secondary school with him, sat in the same class with him, knew him well and could vouch for his brilliance, competence and expertise as CEO Agyapa.

Mr. Adu Boahene had used the explanation to dispel claims of nepotism and lack of merit in the recruitment of Kofi-Osafo-Maafo’s services with reports that, his position was not advertised per the country’s procurement laws.

However, his explanation has turned out to be a lie, as The Herald’s probe revealed that, while Mr Osafo-Maafo, completed Achimota School in 1986, the Deputy Minister of Finance, left the same school a year later.

Mr Adu Boahene, left Achimota School in 1987, together with Koku Anyidoho, and Julius Debrah, therefore, could not have been a classmate of the Senior Minister’s son. Other details were that, the Deputy Finance Minister, had left Achimota School to Mfantsipim School for his 6th Form.

The Deputy Minister was speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile on Saturday, in response to both the Member of Parliament (MP) Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency in the Central Region, Cassiel Ato Forson and Bright Simons on detail of the procurement processes towards the establishment of Agyapa Royalties, per the country’s procurement laws.

In particular, Mr Ato Forson, insisted on knowing the involvement of Gabby’s law firm, how much they were paid as legal fees, whether or not, there was competitive procurement process to derive value for money.

The Ranking Member of Finance Committee, disclosed that Mr Adu Boahene, had informed the Finance Committee of Parliament that US$2 million had been spent on the process, but failed to provide details as to what was paid to each of the consultants and companies, although specifics were demanded from him during the committee meeting.

The committee also demanded from the Deputy Finance Minister, the relationship between the consultants and the private companies, as well as public officials at the Ministry of Finance, who worked on the deal but again, Mr Adu-Boahene, could not provide.

On the issue of the Senior Minister’s son; Kofi Osafo-Marfo’s employment as CEO for Agyarpa, Mr Forson, insisted on knowing if government advertised the position with other Ghanaians offered the opportunity to take part in the selection process.

Among other things, the MP, who is on the ticket the National Democratic Congress (NDC), charged the government to make public the selection process it adopted in getting the prospective management team for Agyapa Royalties Limited, arguing that it was necessary because the method government adopted through the Finance Ministry is questionable.

IMANI’s Bright Simons, had also on the issue of conflict of interest, noted that as a member of the 15 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) ,who have called for a suspension of the Agyapa deal, their investigations have given them cause to question for further explanations about the recruitment process.

According to him, they have made inquiries about the recruitment agency, but did not see any public advertisement leading to the choice of Mr Kofi Osafo-Marfo’s role as CEO in Agyapa.

Mr Simon’s disclosed that, the CSOs have even asked people who ordinarily would have been aware, but none of them have seen anything, suggesting there was a public advertisement in the database and this somehow suggest that the attempt to get Ghanaian talents for Agyapa job, was not as extensive as it should been.

“We have made inquires, we cannot see any public advertising for the role, obviously there should be a database. We have asked a lot of people that traditionally, will be approached and none of them were aware that this recruitment was going on. So that suggests that somehow the attempt to look for a Ghanaian to helm this entity, was not as extensive as possible,” he said.

Mr Simons, further questioned why the Akufo-Addo administration, chose to establish a private market, instead of transacting business directly with existing royalty streaming companies.

“Did they do any analysis of transactions in the private market? And did those analyses suggest that if they had used that method, they would have made less money if they went directly to instead of using this route.And what was the outcome in terms of proceeds per annum ounce of gold in royalties in that analysis?” he quizzed.

But the Deputy Finance Minister, mounted a strong defence over the selection of Kofi Osafo Maafo, saying although he has been recruited as CEO of Agyapa Royalties Limited, he is currently only acting as a consultant on the transaction based on his expertise. He insisted that Mr Osafo-Marfo, is not paid for the services he is providing on the deal.

Mr Adu Boahen, insisted that the selection process was thorough and competitive, adding “It was just a mere coincidence that the person we selected is the son of a member of our party.”

According to him, he and others who worked on the deal, had told the Job recruitment agency that, they wanted a Ghanaian as CEO. This, was after the agency had come up with 30 names for CEO, CFO and Board Members in 2018, after combing the globe for people with expertise in royalties companies either directly or indirectly.

Out of the 30 individuals, some six of them were Ghanaians who qualified for the job, however, it was easier to settle on Kofi Osafo-Marfo out of the six Ghanaians, because he was the only one who had expertise in the area of investment management, asset management person, equity analyst covering mining companies and energy companies. Mr Osafo-Marfo, also had expertise in gold royalty companies and understands the deal.

“So it was on that basis that he was listed and identified as a potential for the role. At that time he was working for SSNIT, which he still is. So we approached him and said look we want to get this transaction off the road. We need somebody to advice us, as to how to structure this, do you mind coming onboard as a consultant for now to help us, which he agreed to do, but by the way it’s an unpaid consultancy role”.

“I must say without his input, his wisdom and knowledge of gold royalty companies, we won’t be where we are today. So, I think he deserves a lot of thanks. It is by sheer coincidence that he happens to be a son of a member of the party. That is by sheer coincidence. He also happens to be a classmate of mine from secondary school. So I was very comfortable with him, because I could vouch for his competence, his brilliance and expertise. So that we did not have a problem with at all”.

He further disclosed that the transaction came about because he had received a call from the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia one day, saying he had a company in his office and that they were offering to purchase Ghana’s royalty streams.

The Vice-president directed him to evaluate the offer to see if it made sense and after a long discussion and a written offer, he did his analysis and it came out that, what they were offering wasn’t good enough, as it was far below expectation, and as an investment banker with over 20 years’ experience working in London, United States and South Africa, he knew the industry and knew the players and called his banker friends and asked them about their opinions on the offer to the government, adding this how the process started.

Parliament on August 14, approved the controversial Agyapa Mineral Royalty Limited agreement with the government of Ghana, despite a walkout by the Minority.

On his part, Gabby Asare-Otchere Darko, a cousin of both President Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, had publicly admitted working on Agyapa Royalties Limited, which metamorphosed from Asaase Royalties Limited, because his law firm had been engaged by White & Case in UK ,together with Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, a corporate and commercial law firm which was involved in the botched PDS transaction in which Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was to be privatized.

Gabby Asare-Otchere Darko on Asempa FM, had on Friday, revealed White & Case’s involvement in many government transactions in which his law firm; Africa Legal Associates is involved based on the partnership they have.

But The Herald gathered that, White & Case partner, Joshua Siaw, who is the director of the Firm’s Africa Practice, is a personal friend of Mr Otchere Darko.

This paper’s findings are that, the White & Case LLP, has advised the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on a landmark liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification project located in Tema, Ghana.

Coincidentally, Mr Asare-Otchere Darko’s wife, Nana Adwoa Hackman, is a board member of the GNPC and a co-partner of the Africa Legal Associates.

The feeling on the ground is that he; Gabby, use his nexus in the Akufo-Addo government to get government legal deals awarded him to execute, using White & Case, as a clever front to drown any suspicion of favouritism.

One Narinder Surae, who works with White & Case’s office in Johannesburg in South Africa, is part of Gabby’s law firm as an International Transactions’ Advisor.

Narinder boasts of joining Africa Legal Associate in 2018 as International Transaction Advisor and has worked on major international transactions, including the multi-billion-dollar LNG transaction involving GNPC and, first Gazprom, and later, Rosneft, both of Russia.

Meanwhile, Bright Simons, has argued that the money being received by government for the Agyapa agreement isn’t enough.

This, he said, is because all of the nation’s most valuable Assets for further prospecting in addition to 100percent of gold productions are contained in the deal, adding the valuation can be improved to benefit the country better.

“They have the optional mining licences in the agreement which purports to grant this structure the capacity to actually get more. So, to give it away at $1 billion valuation is problematic, too little,” he told host, Samson Ayenini.

According to him, the choice to deal with the public Stocks Market, rather than directly with the private was the fundamental flaw of the agreement.

“The worst thing you can do is to lock your royalties in a transaction where you more or less get all your money upfront and there is no other fiscal room.

“But that money that you get is far less than the money you get, if you had gone to any of the hundreds of gold streaming companies in the world,” he said.

Some economic experts, including the former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, Lawyer Fui Tsikata and Kofi Ansah of legal and mineral, have kicked against the deal passed by Parliament on August 14th.

As the controversy deepens, key figures involved in the transaction, such as Deputy Minister of Finance Charles Adu Boahene and Gabby Otchere Darko, have openly acknowledged insider information and involvement in the selection of consultants and companies. The Deputy Minister's explanation for the recruitment of Kofi Osafo-Marfo, son of Senior Minister Yaw Osafo-Marfo, has been contradicted by investigative findings, revealing inconsistencies in the claims of nepotism and lack of merit.

#nepotism

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nashdoe · 2 years ago

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WILLING ACCOMPLICES

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02KjAxhD9ueeAsdLaQmGpMm6FQUXrnDiuWC6KWFz8iTs91H5g4ZGgMv6nYXzoPphaUl&id=1833757601

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#ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE #Asanteman Council #FREEDOM OF SPEECH #IMANI Ghana #Kumawu Traditional Council area #Members of Parliament

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ghanashowbizonline · 6 months ago

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News - My respect for Nana Addo has turned into disappointment — Franklin Cudjoe

Hub Ghana – bringing you all trending daily news as it happens. Get daily comprehensive summary of the recent news, sports news & top stories that have rocked the online scene. Check out the news below. Franklin Cudjoe, the president of IMANI Africa. Cudjoe, known for his sharp insights and unwavering commitment to transparency and good governance, has been vocal in his criticism of President…

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pleaserelaxfc · 3 years ago

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Pregame: Gotham vs. Red Stars (September 4)

Background and Momentum:

Gotham

After an unexpectedly strong start to the season, Gotham has now gone six games without a win, managed only two draws in that entire period, and lost their last three consecutive games.

They have gone through a significant amount of upheaval off the field over the last couple of months as well, with their GM being fired in July, and their head coach departing for Angel City.

This will be the first game since Freya Coombe's departure - Scott Parkinson and Bev Goebel Yanez were named as Gotham's incoming head coach and first assistant coach, respectively. Scott Parkinson comes from serving as the first assistant coach at this week's opponent, the Chicago Red Stars. It seems that he will not be present for this week's match for personal reasons, so Goebel Yanez and second assistant Becki Tweed will be taking charge.

Gotham's defense has been notable throughout the season, particularly early on, but in recent weeks, Coombe had been trying to implement a three-defender structure, rather than a four-defender structure. Given recent results, and the availability of both Imani Dorsey and Caprice Dydasco, I would not expect Gotham to continue that experiment following Coombe's departure.

Gotham has been missing three of their usual starters with injury for the last several weeks - first losing Paige Monaghan, their left winger, after their match against the Pride on June 20, and then the following week Mandy Freeman, who had played 90 minutes at center back in every game up until then. However, probably their most significant absence has been Margaret Purce, who typically played as a wide forward, but could also play as an outside back - she was injured during the game against the Houston Dash on August 1, and while Gotham held on for a draw in that match, it was the beginning of their six-game winless streak. All three are still out this week.

In the absence of their usual wide forwards, as well as both Carli Lloyd and Evelyne Viens, two of their typical center forwards, to the Olympics, Gotham relied heavily on the immensely talented Ify Onumonu. Onumonu scored every goal that Gotham managed for the three and a half games following Purce's injury. Lloyd and Viens' return should take some of the pressure off of her (and Lloyd did score one goal in her second game back with the team), but it also pushes Onumonu wide, away from the central position where she plays most naturally.

Red Stars

The Red Stars, on the other hand, started their season slowly and have recently built into it, including with a convincing 3-0 win over Kansas City last weekend.

Although Scott Parkinson has departed for the head coach job at Gotham, it seems to have been on good terms, and with Rory Dames being one of the longest-serving head coaches in the league, Parkinson's departure shouldn't affect them too much.

The Red Stars have struggled to find goals throughout the season, but they did score three in their previous game, so they will be looking to build on that. Watt and Pugh, who are both fairly new to the team, with Pugh in her first season with the team and Watt in her second year if we count 2020, seem to have settled into the wide forward roles with the Red Stars. They provided all three assists and I would expect them to start this match and keep up their momentum.

The Red Stars have both Tierna Davidson and Casey Krueger back from the Olympics. While they are still missing Julie Ertz and Alyssa Naeher, Davidson and Krueger are key pieces in the defensive line, and will likely cause some headaches for Gotham's attack.

While Danny Colaprico remains on the injured list, Vanessa DiBernardo is back off of it. A long-time Red Stars midfielder, her return will likely give Chicago some flexibility.

Head-to-Head

Gotham and Chicago have met twice so far: a 0-0 draw early in the season, and a 2-1 win for Gotham, which was their last win before their recent downward spiral.

Predictions:

Scoreline: Gotham 1-1 Red Stars

Gotham XI (4-4-2):

GK: Sheridan

4: Dorsey, Johnson, Lewandowski, Dydasco

4: Long, Lee, Cudjoe, Lloyd*

2: Sheehan, Onumonu

Red Stars XI (4-2-3-1):

GK: Boyd

4: Wright, Gorden, Davidson, Krueger

2: Gautrat, Woldmoe

3: Watt, Johnson**, Pugh

1: Hill

Warm-ish Takes and Full Disclosure:

Gotham is one of the two teams that I root for (along with the Spirit), so I might not be...completely objective here.

Both teams need a win here, but Gotham needs it more - although they have a game in hand on the Red Stars, they are currently three points behind, and currently sitting out of playoff position. Their game against KC, which had originally been scheduled for next week, has also been delayed until October, in the middle of an international break in which the US, Nigeria, and Cameroon all have games scheduled (as do Korea, Bosnia, and Ghana), so we could see three or four of the starting lineup out for a game that Gotham would have otherwise have expected to be a fairly easy three-point grab. Given that schedule change, this will be Gotham's last game for three weeks, and they will want to take some momentum into that break - but Chicago is the team coming into the game with momentum.

There are about five teams currently in striking distance of the final three playoff spots. Gotham and the Red Stars are two of those five - another two, the Pride and the Dash, will play each other later this weekend. These games could be crucial for the outcome of that playoff race.

*Carly Lloyd traditionally plays as a center forward, but here I have her as the top of a diamond-shaped midfield. I think this could go either way. She has also played a lot of minutes since returning, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Evelyne Viens come on for some minutes tonight in her place.

Given the players available tonight, I think Sheehan is the best choice to start in the attack. Gotham has recently been playing Naho Kawasumi in that role, rather than her traditional midfield, but Sheehan showed some strength during a long stretch of attacking absences, and just based on stamina I think this should go to her.

**With DiBernardo coming back from an injury lasting a bit over a month, I don't think I expect to see her in the starting lineup, so I have put Johnson here, who scored one of Chicago's goals last week. I wouldn't be surprised to see DiBernardo here if her fitness is still intact, however, and would expect to see her come off the bench for a good chunk of minutes otherwise.

Miller has been getting most of the minutes in goal during Alyssa Naeher's absence, but I think it will be Boyd tonight - she has had a couple of solid appearances, and I think the Red Stars will want her to get one or two more before Naeher returns.

As always, I want to see Davidson at outside back, but that one I don't think will happen tonight.

#nwsl #gotham fc #chicago red stars

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spiritroots · 7 years ago

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Afrocentric Wheel of the Year

An anon asked me if there is a way to celebrate the Wheel of the Year in an Afrocentric way, and it inspired me! I guess I just invented a new set of holidays?

What are Kwanzaa & the Nguzo Saba?

Kwanzaa lasts for seven days from December 26 to January 1. Each day, one’s family does different activities together to honor each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which are called the Nguzo Saba. These principles are focused on celebrating and encouraging an Afrocentric way of living by a connection to black identity, values, and culture in a positive way that supports oneself and one’s entire community.

The reason why I believe it makes sense to celebrate the Nguzo Saba as different holidays throughout the year is that Kwanzaa isn’t meant to be about one week. It’s meant to be about inspiring a connection to one’s African roots and heritage that lasts all year long! Each holiday in this Afrocentric Wheel of the Year will focus on a different principle of the Nguzo Saba culminating in Kwanzaa at the very end, bringing them all together in one.

Days of the Afrocentric Wheel of the Year

You do have to be of African descent to celebrate Kwanzaa (and this Afrocentric WOY) but you don’t have to be African. The Afrocentric WOY is inspired by Kwanzaa, an Afrocentric, Pan-African holiday for anyone of African descent designed to help those of us in the global diaspora connect with African values, language, culture, and spirituality.

I’ve included a basic overview of each day of the WOY. They correspond to the Wiccan sabbats, but they are not called “sabbats” to be inclusive of anyone who wishes to celebrate them whether they practice magic, witchcraft, or neither. Underneath the ~ read more ~ line, I’ve added lists of altar ideas, mundane activities, and magical/spiritual activities for each day!

UMOJA: United as One

Date: February 1st Corresponds with: Imbolc Season: Beginning of Spring Color: White Symbol: Cowrie Shells

Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Swahili), Unity (English)

To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

KUJICHAGULIA: A Fresh Start

Dates: March 20-23th (depends on year) Corresponds with: Ostara Season: Spring Equinox Color: Blue Symbol: Arrow

Nguzo Saba: Kujichagulia (Swahili), Self-Determination (English)

To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

UJIMA: Strong Beginnings

Date: May 1st Corresponds with: Beltane Season: Beginning of Summer Color: Green Symbol: Wawa Tree Seed

Nguzo Saba: Ujima (Swahili), Collective Work & Responsibility (English)

To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

UJAMAA: Working Together

Dates: June 20-23rd (depends on year) Corresponds with: Litha/Midsummer Season: Summer Solstice Color: Dark Red, Maroon Symbol: Bowl of Fruit

Nguzo Saba: Ujamaa (Swahili), Cooperative Economics (English)

To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

NIA: Dreaming with Purpose

Date: August 1st Corresponds with: Lammas/Lughnasa/Lugnasad Season: Beginning of Fall (first harvest) Color: Bright Red Symbol: Axe

Nguzo Saba: Nia (Swahili), Purpose (English)

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA: Black is Beautiful

Dates: September 20-23rd (depends on year) Corresponds with: Mabon Season: Autumn Equinox (second harvest) Color: Yellow Symbol: Comb

Nguzo Saba: Kuumba (Swahili), Creativity (English)

To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

IMANI: Faith in Each Other

Date: October 31st Corresponds with: Samhain & Halloween Season: End of Fall (last harvest, end of the year) Colors: Rainbow (all colors together) Symbol: Yams

Nguzo Saba: Imani (Swahili), Faith (English)

To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

KWANZAA: A Joyous Time

Dates: December 25th-January 1st (1 week long) Corresponds with: Yule/Midwinter Season: Winter Solstice Colors: Red, black, and green Symbols: Kinara (candle holder), mkeka (straw mat), mazao (crops), muhindi (ear of corn), kikombe cha umoja (unity bowl), zawadi (gifts), mishumaa saba (seven candles)

Nguzo Saba: All seven (one for each day of Kwanzaa)

[ Questions ] [ About Author ] [ Tips for all the hard work & care into this ]

ALTAR IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, & MAGIC

Many of the symbols and activities both magical and mundane come from African-American culture and also cultures from all across Africa from Ghana to Mozambique to Nigeria to South Africa. You might have noticed that each day’s colors and some of the symbols are inspired by an orisha from Yoruba culture. I included saying a prayer to each one who corresponds with their day as a completely optional activity that is okay for non-initiates to do, but remembers that the religion of the Yoruba people is initiatory and requires lots of study for in-depth practice.

All these ideas are just suggestions, so feel free to create your own so long as it’s in the spirit of the day’s Nguzo Saba principle. I recommend studying the holiday Kwanzaa in more depth, since that will help you better understand the Nguzo Saba and how to honor them!

UMOJA: We Stand Together

To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Umoja Altar Ideas:

White cloth and candles to symbolize peace, unity, and connectedness

Cowrie shells for the prosperity and growth of black people everywhere

A cup or chalice filled with salt water to represent the Atlantic Ocean where many of our ancestors crossed or now rest and our shared struggles and journey across the waters and around the world (inspired by the kikombe cha umoja of Kwanzaa)

Activities for Umoja:

Plan a dinner or gathering with family, friends, or your community

Practice cooking some family recipes

Go to a black arts, music, food, or cultural festival

Make some language goals for the year to learn some Swahili (Pan-African language) or another African language

Read some books about the history or culture of an African country

Take a moment to share a drink out of your unity cup (kikombe cha umoja) with someone you care about or are close to

Bring out your Afrocentric clothing! I’m talking full Africa earrings or necklaces, kente prints, ankhs, dashikis, and anything else you got

Umoja Spirituality & Magic:

Love and friendship magic

Wear matching sigils with someone

Peace and conflict resolving spells

Digging into the roots of Africana traditions and magic

Pray to Obatala, orisha of reason, leadership, and peace (Yoruba culture)

KUJICHAGULIA: A Fresh Start

To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

Kujichagulia Altar Ideas:

Blue, green, and white cloth and candles to represent our power to choose our own direction by nourishing and growing our own destiny

Arrowheads for the agency and independence to pick our path

Eggs decorated with Adrinkra symbols chosen by you to express different values, ideas, or goals you have (inspired by Akan culture)

Activities for Kujichagulia:

Do some journaling or self-reflection blogging

Write a list of your personal values and ethics

Share something about yourself with others that you are proud of

Read about movements and philosophies that support your identity and what you believe in (examples: LGBT+, gender identity, black feminism & intersectionality, Africana womanism, etc.)

Do some spring cleaning and throw away old items you know you don’t need or that are no longer consistent with who you are now

Try some archery (inspired by Yoruba culture)

Wear an outfit with the colors of Kujichagulia (blue, green, white)

Kujichagulia Spirituality & Magic:

Cleansing, centering, and grounding (energy work)

Uncrossing magic (hoodoo)

Self-care and self-love magic

Meditation and mindfulness

Shadow work (self-reflection magic and divination)

Pray to Ochoosi, orisha of magic and archery (Yoruba culture)

UJIMA: Strong Beginnings

To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujima Altar Ideas:

Green cloth and candles to represent the healing, growth, and medicine we all have to offer each other in the global diaspora

Seeds for the small beginnings that can lead to greatness

Flowers of different colors as a reminder of the unique contributions each of us can bring to problem-solving as a community

Activities for Ujima:

Reach out to friends, family, or members of your community who you know might need some extra help and support

Donate to organizations the empower black communities

Go to a Black Lives Matter rally and boost their posts online

Consider areas in your life where you may need some support and chose this time to be helpable

Look for volunteering opportunities in your local community

Vote in your local elections and get involved in your community

For students in college, consider an alternative spring break

Wear an outfit with the colors of Ujima (shades of green)

Ujima Spirituality & Magic:

Road opening and crossroads magic (hoodoo)

Healing and cleansing spells (for yourself and others)

Setting up protection spells and wards (for yourself and others)

Offering magic and divination for free to others

Looking for or finding your spirit guides

Pray to Ogun, orisha of clearing obstacles (Yoruba culture)

UJAMAA: Harvesting Together

To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Ujamaa Altar Ideas:

Dark red and black candles to symbolize the hard work and determination of the global black community

Bowl of fruit for the fruits of our labor and collective success

Kente cloth which represents the richness and value of black culture (inspired by Akan culture)

Activities for Ujamaa:

Support black-owned businesses as much as possible (boost posts on social media, tell friends, buy their products)

Donate to one of these black-owned non-profits making a difference

Consider buying stock in black-owned businesses and brands

Work on your own budgeting and personal finances

Read about the economic concept of ujamaa

Wear an outfit with the colors of Ujamaa (dark red and black)

Ujamaa Spirituality & Magic:

Buy magical tools and supplies from black-owned businesses

Manifestation, money-making, and prosperity magic

Create a new mojo bag

Look for and appreciate the bright star Sirius (inspired by Kemetic celebrations of summer solstice)

Pray to Oya, orisha of the marketplace (Yoruba culture)

NIA: Dreaming with Purpose

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Nia Altar Ideas:

Bright red and white cloth and candles to symbolize a fierce and unstoppable passion for the future

Lightning-shaped decorations for the energy and power we put into making our dreams a reality

Affirmations or quotes that represent your dreams, goals, and pieces of inspiration for yourself, your family, your local community, and the global black community

Activities for Nia:

Start a vision board, put up images related to your goals and ideas

Make long-term plans for projects, work/school, or personal life

Talk about what you want and hope for the future of the black community with friends and family

Think of black role models in your life and how you are role model too

Watch or engage (safely) in some wrestling, boxing, or martial arts (inspired by Igbo and Hausa traditional celebrations)

Wear an outfit with the colors of Nia (red and white)

Nia Spirituality & Magic:

Writing or creating new spells and rituals

Meditation and reflection on your goals and future plans

Re-organize your grimoire and/or magical tools

Path-finding and decision-making divination

Pray to Shango, orisha of fire and lightning, warrior-king (Yoruba culture)

KUUMBA: Black is Beautiful

To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Kuumba Altar Ideas:

Yellow, white, and orange cloth and candles to symbolize optimism for the future, creativity, and the beauty of life

Jars of honey for the sweetness of life that comes from hard work

An afro pick or comb to represent pride and joy in our own beauty and the beauty of our people

Activities for Kuumba:

Rep #blackisbeautiful, #blackgirlmagic, #melanin pride

Appreciate some black art, black music, black films, etc.

Check out a West African dance class

Look into recycling, composting, and sustainable living options

Wear your hair natural

Glow up with Rhassoul clay (Berber culture, Morocco) or Marula oil (Tsonga People of South Africa and Mozambique)

Wear an outfit with the colors of Kuumba (yellow, white, and orange)

Kuumba Spirituality & Magic:

Self-confidence, empowerment, and body-positivity spells

Braid some ashe (energy) and intent into your hair

Art magic! Energy signature paintings, drawing sigils, you name it

Decorate your grimoire or spellbook pages with some Afrocentric designs

Try some African drumming or dance styles during a ritual

Pray to Oshun, the orisha of beauty, love, and prosperity (Yoruba culture)

IMANI: Faith in Each Other

To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Imani Altar Ideas:

All colors of cloth and candles to represent the infinite number of ways that faith and hope can manifest in our lives

Yams in honor of the great harvest that is the legacy of our ancestors

Photos of great heroes and leaders in black history to show our respect to those who paved the way for us beyond our blood family

Activities for Imani:

Go to a black history museum

Read some books or watch movies on the American Civil Rights Movement, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Apartheid, or African history

Learn to say “Heri ya mwaka mpya” (happy new year in Swahili)

Write some thank you letters to friends, teachers, mentors, and family members you admire and appreciate (even if you don’t actually send it)

Eat some yam (inspired by Igbo and Akan cultures)

Wear rainbow colors in the spirit of Imani

Imani Spirituality & Magic:

Create an ancestor altar if you don’t yet have one

Spend the day saying prayers and giving offerings to your ancestors

It’s traditional to pour out some offerings to the ancestors onto the earth as well (freshwater recommended!)

Say a prayer to Oshumare, the orisha of reincarnation and our connection to the realm of the ancestors (Yoruba culture)

Great time for spirit communication and divination in general

KWANZAA: A Joyous Time

Principle: All seven (one for each day of Kwanzaa)

Resources for learning how to celebrate Kwanzaa:

What is Kwanzaa?

How to Celebrate Kwanzaa

Official Kwanzaa Site

More Kwanzaa activities

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yeats-infection · 5 years ago

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Hi Gen! I’m working through your music au’s and I’m curious about which houses you’d put your oc’s in?

thank you for this amazing question!! so so glad you are reading and enjoying those stories!

so, in a handful of dust, jack is a hufflepuff and flora is a ravenclaw. ras went to an incredibly posh private school in deerfield, massachusetts, attended by the children of the wealthiest people in the entire wizarding world, and at hogwarts would probably have been a slytherin. imani went to school in accra, ghana. gryffindor would not be inaccurate for imani and let’s just put her there to round everything out.

in minuet, the members of crucia - alex, wray, graeme, mercedes, and marsden - went to katherine denny academy, the only public school of magic in the northwest, which is in my old neighborhood in seattle on first hill / capitol hill near seattle university. i don’t know that there are “houses” at denny. my friend clara and i once came up with an entire climate change-immersed magical narrative where in your final year at denny some students are chosen to pursue whale communication... (alex and wray would be chosen for this but only alex would actually go through with it because wray was “too busy with music” and also is secretly afraid of the ocean, especially the very deep parts you have to explore in a submersible as part of the class. graeme probably would have been able to communicate with whales had he put any effort into it, but because he hardly puts any effort into anything except playing guitar he was generally passed over in almost everything in school except magical theory. mercedes and marsden excel at the more tangible and less abstract elements of magic and as such were both fast-tracked into career training programs at denny and scouted by leading magical tech firms in the late eighties. marsden politely turned down numerous job offers without fanfare and mercedes allowed herself to be taken out to several extremely fancy dinners at which she ordered bottles of pricy wine and went on anti-capitalist rants and was never contacted about the job again.)

lockett and montclair never went to magical school or had any training at all apart from independently learning spells from books to stay alive and hurt each other and instinctively doing magic to stay alive and hurt each other.

sal, who you’ve barely met, was a ravenclaw and moira, who you haven’t met yet, a slytherin.

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kaknewsdotcom · 2 years ago

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Watch This Video Of American R&B Singer SZA Jamming To Kelvyn Boy's "Down Flat"

Watch This Video Of American R&B Singer SZA Jamming To Kelvyn Boy’s “Down Flat”

SZA, A Professional Name For Solana Imani Rowe, An American R&B Singer, Is Seen Dancing In A Recent Video To Kelvyn Boy’s Original “Down Flat” Song. The Songstress Visited Ghana On September 24, 2022, In Order To Perform At The Recently Finished Global Citizen Festival, Which Took Place In Black Star Square. Prior To Her Stunning Performance At GCF 22, The “Normal Girl” Hitmaker Shared The Video…

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#Down Flat #Down Flat RMX #Kelvyn Boy #SZA

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trendsbazegh · 4 years ago

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Claim by gov't for creating 778,706 public sector formal jobs is impossible-IMANI's Patrick Stephenson

Claim by gov’t for creating 778,706 public sector formal jobs is impossible-IMANI’s Patrick Stephenson

Head of Research at IMANI Ghana Mr. Patrick Stephenson has debunked claims by the Nana Akufo-Addo led government to have created up to 778,706 public sector formal jobs.

Mr. Stephenson was in the studios of Accra based radio station 3fm when he made his submission with regards to the topic.

(more…)

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#IMANI Ghana #Patrick Stephenson

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obuabamedia · 2 years ago

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Leave NDC out of your reasons for going to IMF – Franklin Cudjoe to Bawumia

Founding President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe has advised the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to stop blaming the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the country’s economic difficulties. According to him, blaming the erstwhile NDC regime for Ghana’s return to the IMF is not prudent. “My dear Veep, please leave the NDC out of the major reasons for the return to the IMF. It is politically and economically not prudent. A play back of your own tapes while in opposition will help reset this loud misconception”, he tweeted on Thursday. Franklin Cudjoe’s comments were in reaction to an assertion by the Vice President on Thursday, to the effect that Ghana’s current economic challenges are the making, partially, of the NDC. According to him, the prevailing difficulties can be attributed to the “quadruple whammy” the government faces – excess capacity payments, banking sector crisis, Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. He said two of the four factors, the excess capacity payments and the banking sector crisis, were inherited from the previous administration. He made this statement in a speech at the Accra Business School. The comment by the President has so far generated mixed reactions, with a section of the populace lambasting the Vice President for failing to take responsibility for the country’s problems. According to the critics, it is distasteful for the Veep to rope in former President Mahama, and blame the NDC for Ghana’s return to the IMF. In a related development, an associate professor of Economics at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Professor Lord Mensah has also urged the Vice President to desist from blaming the erstwhile Mahama administration for the country’s economic woes. According to him, he does not see the need for Dr Bawumia to travel back into the years and accuse past regimes for the difficulties confronting the citizens. Speaking in an interview with Kojo Yankson on the Super Morning Show on Friday, Professor Mensah explained that when a new government assumes power, it automatically inherits the assets and liabilities of its predecessor. In this regard, he stated that good economic managers are expected to convert the liabilities they inherit to profits, and therefore Dr Bawumia must stop making reference to the faults of the NDC. “As an economic manager, you should know that before you take over, you’re coming to inherit liabilities and assets. You cannot just parade only the liabilities and indicate that this is what you inherited and therefore without it you could have been better. What about the resources that you had? What did you use them for?”, Professor Lord Mensah quizzed. He continued: “There’s a reason why we have four years political cycle. So if within the four years, you cannot turn around things. I don’t think it’s not necessary to go back in years. I don’t think Ghanaians will be better of with these kind of references and statements coming from our economic managers”. In his explanations, Professor Lord Mensah further emphasised that, “As an economic manager, you inherit both liabilities and assets and how you appreciate liabilities that you inherit and convert them to assets for the benefit of the country is a gauge for your performance”. “So the reference to those two things are not necessary anyway. Not at this time. We’ve gone far. I mean we are far deeper into the years. six years of handling the economy, I don’t think we need to make reference to this”, he added. Meanwhile, JoyNews is learning that the earliest the International Monetary Fund can take a decision on whether to give Ghana a deal will be in the first quarter of 2023. A source within the Finance Committee who was privy to conversation with the IMF told JoyNews’ Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwaku Asante, that the Fund is seriously concerned about the country’s debt position and will undertake a debt sustainability analysis before agreeing on a deal with government. Read the full article

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