Blog - African Think Tank Network (ATTN)2024-03-28T23:47:08Zhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/feed/allKarsten Riise Talking with Ovigwe Egueguhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/karsten-riise-talking-with-ovigwe-eguegu2021-04-23T17:17:37.000Z2021-04-23T17:17:37.000ZKarsten Riisehttp://africathinktanks.org/members/KarstenRiise<div><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8828849873?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><div><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:large;">Karsten Riise Talking with Ovigwe Eguegu<br /></span></strong></div><div><br /><br /><br />Dear All,<br /><br />this may interest you:<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/s47Vsxhs-1A?t=01" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/s47Vsxhs-1A?t=01</a></div><div> </div><div><br />We also discuss USA-China, Cold-War, and interventions in Africa.<br /><br />Dr. Ovigwe Eguegu is policy advisor and media commentator on Al Jazeera, based in Nigeria.</div><div> </div><div>Ovigwe is Postgraduate in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies.<br /><br /><br />Best regards,<br />Karsten<br /><br /><br />Karsten Riise<br />Partner & Editor<br /><br />CHANGE NEWS &<br />CHANGE MANAGEMENT</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.ChangeManagement.News">www.ChangeManagement.News</a></div><div> </div><div> </div></div>Hi-Speed Institutions - for Hi-Speed Developmenthttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/hi-speed-institutions-for-hi-speed-development2021-03-16T23:07:44.000Z2021-03-16T23:07:44.000ZKarsten Riisehttp://africathinktanks.org/members/KarstenRiise<div><p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Hi-Speed Institutions - for Hi-Speed Development</strong></span><br /><br /><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dear All,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">The creation of the African Union is a fantastic achievement.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">The African Union has in <u>record speed</u> booked its first gigantic World success in creating a United African Market: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). <br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">We must build on the African Union - make it powerful.<br /><br />This means strengthening Africa's Unity and Africa's Capability all the way from the smallest village and up to the United African institutions of the Continent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">Things must happen fast now - we must build on. <br /><br />Immediately we must now take the <span style="text-decoration:underline;">next</span> big leap for a super African action-capability - to change gear into Hi-Speed.<br /><br />Hi-Speed Development requires Hi-Speed Institutions.<br /><br />Africa has a legacy of no less than 8 Regional Economic Communities (RECs). These regional communities were good as a step until the African Union was born. Africa's 8 RECs have served Africa well in trade, culture and cooperation. Remarkable work has been and is being done in the RECs. We now need to put these great regional efforts into much higher effectiveness. Only the best is acceptable.<br /><br />At top level - the African Union most be strengthened further. To direct a strong strategy for the whole Continent - and we must ensure that the Regional Structure of the Continent effectively can combine Union - Regional - and State levels into one strong organization with maximum punch. Africa must have maximum punch - because we want to catch up and surpass China, East Asia and the West.<br /><br />This is ambitious - it must be.<br /><br />We must create an even more effective structure of Continental & Regional Organization. More tasks must be transfered from the REC to Union level. Tasks like trade (ex. AfCFTA) and passport-unity are already widely been taken over by the AU. More tasks must go to the African Union. At the same time, a much stronger and new task-portfolio must be put to the RECs. We must quickly implement decisive changes in the structure of the RECs, so that new RECs can handle their manu new roles with maximum effectiveness. We need maximum effectiveness - nothing less.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The responsibilities and tasks of the existing 8 RECs are overlapping, potentially conflictual, and at any rate the existing REC structure is a waste of money, time and energy - all of which Africa has too little of. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">In principle, the African Union could coordinate the whole continent without any of the REC. We <em>could</em> choose to delete all the RECs and coordinate all African states through the Union. Compare for instance with the USA. The USA has about same number of political units as Africa has - the USA is 50 states plus the areas of Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and the Samoa - 55 in all. But Africa is not the USA. We want immensely effective RECs to strengthen the African States and their Regions - bring the African Will up to the Union - and the United Africa out across all Regional contexts. The RECs must be effective, because they must take on a much bigger burden. While the RECs continue to give functions up to the Union level, at the same time, the RECs must take up many more functions and must they must do that achieving an international level of competence which will impress the World. Today's structure of 8 RECs cannot handle what we must do - the people are good, but the structure is no longer the best. We must make sure people have the frame to do their best. We need the best.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">Three RECs are enough.<br /><br />We cannot do with less than three RECs - and anything more than three RECs is will decrease effectiveness.<br /><br />Please allow me to demonstrate, how Africa can be structured optimally with exactly three RECs :</span></p><p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>REC - Region NORTH</strong></span></p><table border="0" width="421" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><colgroup><col width="421" ></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td width="421" height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Algeria</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Benin</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Burkina Faso</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Cabo Verde</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Chad</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Côte d’Ivoire</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Egypt</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Gambia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ghana</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Guinea</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Guinea-Bissau</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Liberia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Libya</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Mali</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Mauritania</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Morocco</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Niger</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Nigeria</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Senegal</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sierra Leone</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Sudan</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Togo</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Tunisia</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>REC - Region CENTER</strong></span></p><div><table border="0" width="421" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><colgroup><col width="421" ></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td width="421" height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Burundi</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Cameroon</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Central African Republic</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Congo Republic</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Djibouti</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">DR Congo</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Equatorial Guinea</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Eritrea</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Ethiopia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Gabon</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Kenya</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Rwanda</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">São Tomé and Príncipe</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Seychelles</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Somalia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">South Sudan</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Tanzania</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Uganda</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>REC - Region SOUTH</strong></span></div><div><table border="0" width="421" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><colgroup><col width="421" ></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td width="421" height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Angola</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Botswana</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Comoros</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Eswatini</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Lesotho</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Madagascar</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Malawi</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Mauritius</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Mozambique</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Namibia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">South Africa</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Zambia</span></td></tr><tr><td height="20"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Zimbabwe</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">Politically and culturally each new REC will be balanced. </span></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Sahara will be united.<br /><br />No more "north or south" of Sahara. Only one Africa.<br /><br />All countries around the Congo basin and Central Africa will be brought together. <br /><br />No more "east or west" Africans. All Africans.<br /><br />The southern Cone will accelerate together with all. <br /><br />My solution will create stronger Regional Unity. Empower the RECs. Empower the States together. Clear lines of responsibility. We cannot afford "turf-wars". Unity. Everything will work together. <br /><br />All people working for the existing RECs are needed. There is a lot more to do than what we do today. With the new Regional Organization, all people will achieve much more. Three of the existing RECs will continue as RECs. The other five will become specialty agencies, supporting the three continuing RECs and support the Union as well.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">We will build more bridges inside Africa. We will safeguard Africa's security without foreign interventions. We will build an economy not based on ineffective "aid" but based on earning. Earning the Way for Africa. And we will strenghten African Life - culture - living - pride. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;">Karsten Riise<br />Partner & Editor<br /><br />CHANGE NEWS &<br />CHANGE MANAGEMENT<br /><br />ChangeMangement.DK@gmail.com</span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><a href="http://www.Africa.Vision">www.Africa.Vision</a></strong></span></div><div class="yj6qo"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></div><div class="adL"> </div></div>Le choix des collaborateurs du ministre (Cabinet et Secrétariat général) : Enjeux de Compétence et d’Éthique publiquehttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/le-choix-des-collaborateurs-du-ministre-cabinet-et-secretariat-ge2020-12-11T08:56:03.000Z2020-12-11T08:56:03.000ZDaouda Coulibalyhttp://africathinktanks.org/members/DaoudaCoulibaly<div><p>À la suite de la mise en place d’un gouvernement<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>, le choix des collaborateurs devient un enjeu majeur. Au Mali, il est admis que le Journal télévisé de 20h de l’ORTM les mercredis est l’une des émissions ayant un taux d’audience élevé en raison des perspectives de nomination en Conseil des ministres et particulièrement après la mise en place d’un nouveau gouvernement.</p><p>Pour le cas spécifique des nominations des collaborateurs directs des ministres (membres des Cabinets et Secrétariats généraux ministériels), il faut noter que ce processus obéit en principe à deux enjeux majeurs que sont la Compétence et l’Ethique publique au regard de la complexité du monde et de la gestion des organisations publiques modernes.</p><p><strong>Le choix des collaborateurs directs du ministre : une exigence de compétence</strong></p><p>Comme le mentionnent Théorêt et Lafrance (2006)<a href="#_ftn2">[2]</a>, si par le passé le choix des collaborateurs des responsables politiques (Président, Premier ministre et ministres) se fondait plus sur leur loyauté, ce choix est aujourd’hui davantage plus motivé par la compétence. De nos jours, la gestion des affaires de l’État est extrêmement complexe avec une divergence d’intérêts des différents groupes d’acteurs et des enjeux internationaux très pesants (faiblesse des ressources de l’État, demandes croissantes des syndicats, défiance des populations, exigences des partenaires techniques et financiers, pression des réseaux sociaux, etc.). La prise de décisions dans un tel environnement commande donc des conseils de tous ordres, offerts par des collaborateurs très compétents, c’est-à-dire des gens qui sont en mesure de considérer non seulement les aspects techniques des propositions (légalité, efficacité et efficience), mais aussi leurs aspects politiques (conséquences sur les différents groupes que forme la population ou sur l’opinion publique).</p><p>Au Mali, cette exigence de compétence est circonscrite par les décrets n°94-201/P-RM du 03 juin 1994<a href="#_ftn3">[3]</a> et n°94-202/P-RM du 03 juin 1994<a href="#_ftn4">[4]</a> fixant respectivement les règles générales d’organisation et de fonctionnement des cabinets ministériels d’une part et des secrétariats généraux des départements ministériels d’autre part. Ainsi, l’article 4 du décret n°94-201/P-RM du 03 juin 1994 précise que les membres des Cabinets ministériels (Chef de Cabinet, Chargés de mission) doivent posséder les compétences et la formation requises pour occuper les emplois réservés aux fonctionnaires de la catégorie A. Dans le même sens, l’article 3 du décret n°94-202/P-RM du 03 juin 1994 mentionne que les secrétaires généraux sont choisis parmi les fonctionnaires de la catégorie A du statut général des fonctionnaires et les magistrats du statut particulier de la magistrature ayant au moins dix (10) années d'ancienneté de service effectif, les officiers généraux et supérieurs des forces armées et de sécurité et les fonctionnaires de la police ayant au moins atteint le grade de Commissaire divisionnaire. Les Conseillers techniques pour leur part sont choisis parmi les fonctionnaires de la catégorie A du statut général de la fonction publique, du statut de la police, les magistrats et les officiers des forces armées et de sécurité. Comme on le voit bien, ces deux décrets mettent un accent particulier sur la compétence en exigeant le niveau de la catégorie A de la fonction publique pour les membres des cabinets et secrétariats généraux des ministères. Néanmoins, si cette compétence à la fois technique et même politique constitue la base du choix des collaborateurs directs du ministre, de plus en plus la dimension éthique prend une place robuste dans les critères dans cette désignation.</p><p><strong>Le choix des collaborateurs directs du ministre : une exigence d’éthique publique</strong></p><p>Outre la compétence, l’exemplarité et le courage éthique constituent des critères fondamentaux de choix des collaborateurs directs des responsables politiques (Président de la République, Premier ministre et ministres). Ici, l’éthique se fonde sur le leadership exemplaire, l’intégrité et l’honnêteté, la responsabilité, le respect de la confidentialité et la promotion de la transparence. Pour ce faire, comme le mentionne Boisvert (2009)<a href="#_ftn5">[5]</a>, l’amitié, la partisanerie ou l’affiliation sociale ne doivent pas être des critères de sélection, mais la compétence, l’intégrité et le dévouement. Une telle sélection (choix rigoureux) est le meilleur moyen d’éviter les dérapages. Or, dans la pratique, beaucoup de ministres aiment s’entourer de collaborateurs directs adorateurs ou des PAC (parent, ami ou connaissance)<a href="#_ftn6">[6]</a>, ce qui les rend vulnérables. Car dans ses relations avec les membres du cabinet et du secrétariat général, la probité intellectuelle est essentielle, autrement dit, dire tout haut ce que l’on pense, même si cela va à l’encontre des tendances, l’important étant de rester dans une logique de respect, de loyauté et de confidentialité. Ceci est d’autant plus important que les décisions que prend chaque ministre ont un impact direct sur la crédibilité de l’ensemble du Gouvernement. Ainsi, chaque décision du ministère doit avoir une assise légale solide, une portée politique acceptable et une dimension éthique irréprochable. Autrement dit, quand un ministre n’est pas en mesure de défendre quelque chose qui s’est passé dans son ministère, il n’a d’autres choix en principe que de démissionner, car cela démontre qu’il n'a pas le contrôle de ses dossiers.</p><p>Comme on le voit, le choix des collaborateurs directs des ministres apparaît plus complexe qu’on peut le penser. Cette entreprise doit être conduite avec parcimonie en tenant compte des critères de compétence ²notamment le niveau de la catégorie A de la fonction publique, mais aussi surtout d’éthique publique, c’est-à-dire une considération très poussée du leadership exemplaire, de l’intégrité et de l’honnêteté, de la responsabilité, du respect de la confidentialité et de la promotion de la transparence. Car en ces temps d’immédiateté des réseaux sociaux où les faits et gestes de l’agent public sont scrutés à temps réel, la rigueur doit être de mise. </p><p><a href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Coulibaly, Daouda. 2020. Équipe Gouvernementale au Mali : Entre Cohérence et Co-errance ! </p><p><a href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> Théorêt, Yves et André Lafrance. 2006. Les éminences grises à l’ombre du pouvoir. PUQ</p><p><a href="#_ftnref3">[3]</a> Décret n° 94 – 201 / PR-M fixant les règles générales d’organisation et de fonctionnement des cabinets ministériels</p><p><a href="#_ftnref4">[4]</a> Décret n° 94-202 / PR-M fixant les règles générales d’organisation et de fonctionnement des Secrétariats généraux des départements ministériels</p><p><a href="#_ftnref5">[5]</a> Boisvert, Yves. 2009. La face cachée des élus : Engagement, responsabilité et comportement éthique. PUQ</p><p><a href="#_ftnref6">[6]</a> Olivier de Sardan, Jean-Pierre. 2004. État, bureaucratie et gouvernance en Afrique de l'Ouest francophone : Un diagnostic empirique, une perspective historique.</p></div>America Modern Approach To Christianityhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/america-modern-approach-to-christianity2020-04-07T12:10:10.000Z2020-04-07T12:10:10.000ZPeter Mathiashttp://africathinktanks.org/members/PeterMathias<div><p>The American modern approach to Christianity since the late 19<sup>th</sup> century actually introduced the gospel to the entire world from a new dimension. The prosperity gospel started in the late 19<sup>th</sup> century in the United States of America. Prosperity gospel also known as the “word of faith” movement is about well-being and prosperity.</p><p>This doctrine says the key to health and wealth acquisition is right thinking, visualizing, and speaking the right words. The movement renounces slavery, poverty, and defeat. It exercises the power of faith against fear in regard to the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Founding fathers of this initiative were: 1. Ralph Waldo (1803 – 1882) 2. Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993) 3. E.W Kenyon (1867 – 1948).</p><p>E.W Kenyon said – faith talks in the language of God. Doubt talks in the language of man. Speak the right words to bring a new reality; what you confess, you possess. He was a writer and a preacher with exceptional inspirations.</p><p>Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, William M. Branham, TL Osborn, A.A. Allen and others – actually continued from where he stopped. Though the exploits of these preachers mentioned here – cannot be easily forgotten by the Pentecostal-world, E.W Kenyon is still regarded everywhere as the father of all.</p><p>Frankly speaking, word of faith brought some positive change to numerous lives. In Africa alone, legions of thousands were liberated from the shackles of poverty in the 70s and 80s – when the movement went everywhere like wildfire during B.A. Idahosa. But today the case is different – the whole thing is now doing us (Pentecostals) more harm than good.</p><p>Pentecostalism is going through crisis of which many converts are ignorant. At this present time, salvation is seriously under attack in church; and faith is being reduced to intellectualism on the one hand, and materialism on the other.</p><p>Movement that was meant to be a blessing to folks worldwide; is now a stumbling block that makes many church leaders derail from solid scriptural theology – to vain human ideologies. We have more preachers today who have positioned their hearts toward only earthly vanities. What went wrong?</p><p>Though church can help control corruption in Africa but the problem here is, the body of Christ in Africa is too busy pursuing money and wealth. Most preachers in my country (Nigeria) are actually fuelling corruption in the country through their excessive preaching of prosperity.</p><p>This is more reason i came up with an anti-corruption Christian movement in Nigeria (Voice of God Movement) - it is a movement of the gospel that can bring church reformation and societal renewal in the country & Africa at large. The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth & the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14). </p><p><strong><em>Ye are the salt of earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13). </em></strong></p><p>The wide-spread hunger for wealth, caused by today’s church, cannot be satisfied in the next three centuries. </p><p>The fact is, most church goers in our generation don’t agree Satan is highly intellectual but he is; and he is wiser than the greatest scientist of all centuries (Ezekiel 28:12-19).</p><p>Angels are spirits – invisible beings, God made them wiser than human. God made them closer to His own nature. Lucifer was an angel of God, though he fell – his power and intellect were not taken from him; and he is capable of influencing the most learned minds among men (1Chronicles 21:1).</p><p>The enemy (Satan) is in the business of capturing the best of intellects since the ancient Greece period. Satan knows how to use the language of the Bible to express errors that could be so deadly to faith. Through science of the mind and modernism, he has successfully offered some senseless theories that rob God of His glory, and many church goers of their salvation.</p><p>E.W Kenyon resisted Christian Science in his time; he made great impact in his days through word of faith. But somehow metaphysics and other lies of the devil still find its way to Pentecostalism after him. It’s obvious the church can’t really keep Satan under feet with only word of faith. We need the whole gospel of Jesus Christ to subdue the enemy in church.</p><p>Presently in Christian book stores, there are many Bible brands everywhere from different churches & denominations – different Versions and different interpretations. Please, keep the old King James Version closer to yourself child of God – Satan also know scriptures (Matthew 4:6). </p><p>The danger of having only prosperity gospel in church, involves: lack of contentment, greediness, pride, envy, selfishness, covetousness, and materialism – that is now skyrocketing everywhere in church. Many unrepentant souls are turning preachers everywhere; their aim is ambition not salvation. <strong> </strong></p><p>Gospel basically is about the teachings of Jesus Christ; His life, death, and resurrection. Gospel leads people to repentance and restitution. It stirs hunger/thirst after righteousness from the inward being; and leads to spiritual growth and general prosperity in individual’s life.</p><p>The gospel of Jesus Christ comprises: teachings about God’s kingdom, repentance, restitution, forgiveness, selflessness, contentment, sobriety, grace, and prosperity etc. The Bible is not against prosperity but, it is strictly against prodigality and materialism – excess regard for earthly vanities (Matthew 6:19-20). <strong><em> </em></strong></p><p>God loves to see His children prosper and be in health; but expects us to walk in the truth, in the light of His word (3John 2-3). In Christianity, eternal glory is top priority not vanities of this life (Revelation 21:1-7).</p><p>The main focus of “word of faith” from inception is health and wealth. This doctrine doesn’t emphasize holiness enough because it is half-gospel. We need the whole gospel of Christ to survive in this last hour – not half-gospel. We need more than the prosperity theology to overcome end-time strategies of anti-Christ in today’s church – Satan is in church. We need the whole gospel of Jesus Christ to survive.</p><p>I hear people say, some preachers are called to preach faith & prosperity – while some are called to preach only holiness. This is not true; no man is called by God to focus on one aspect of the gospel. No preacher is called to preach only grace & prosperity.</p><p>Paul didn’t preach half-gospel; he preached the whole gospel warning every man about the wrath of God, and also about the inevitable end of this material world. The early apostles were not selective about what they preached. They preached everything as led by the Spirit of God to fulfill purpose and accomplish the mind of Christ. </p><p>Heaven also expects today’s church to do likewise. Christ expects us to embrace the whole gospel and preach everything - not withholding one word. It is high time we confront this ugly and destructive spirit (materialism) that threatens the credibility of today’s church. If we don’t address it now, it can only get worse. Christ didn’t give birth to a proud church – He gave birth to a sober church. The pride in today’s church is too much. </p><p>Christ followers should recognize Satan’s attempt to minimize salvation in church through modernism and materialism, and therefore should guard themselves with fundamental doctrines. Matthew chapter 5, 6, & 7, actually defined the Christian life & true Christian living.</p><p> Many converts have heard so much about how to acquire wealth and attain success in this life. They were not taught how to place their salvation above ambition. They were not taught how to avoid being enslaved by mammon (Ecclesiastes 5:10). <strong> </strong></p><p>The scripture clearly reveals that mammon is a spirit (Matthew 6:24). Mammon happens to be god of this sinful world and it has strong influence over many lives. Mammon is an enemy of righteousness. It actually kills, destroys, and intoxicates people everywhere including many converts in today’s church.</p><p>Without money, survival in this modern world could be so unbearable, but submitting to the influence of mammon is more devastating and more painful.</p><p>The poor should be diligent and pray for financial blessings… but should not forget to keep mammon under feet when wealth comes. Wealthy converts should ask for grace that would enable them keep mammon under control, in other not to end up as slaves to their own wealth. Mammon is not a friend of any man; it is an enemy of righteousness. The influence of mammon in today’s church is very strong.</p><p>Mammon is a prince among many converts in churches. Many converts glory in their wealth and underrate the strategies of the prince of this world and wouldn’t heed to the Lord’s warning concerning serving two masters. </p><p>Wealth is not evil, but mammon, if not subdued and kept under control by faith may hinder the Christian from receiving the crown of life and eternal reward. This is the aspect most converts are not informed by their motivational speakers and prosperity preachers; though some converts already know this truth.</p><p>To be sincere, poverty is not a good thing, it’s horrible, but submitting to the influence of mammon is worst than poverty inherited.</p><p>The scripture is not against money and wealth but, the improper and slavery attitude of men towards money and material possessions of this sinful world.</p><p>The “great commission” is not earthly business; it is a heavenly business. (Luke 2:49). Our profit is not material but spiritual and goes to God. Proper integration and harmonization of the gospel depopulates hell and expand God’s kingdom on earth (Proverbs 11:30). </p><p>I know Christ did great miracles and said His church shall do greater signs (John 14:12). But His works didn’t just end with signs and wonders… everything ended with salvation of humankind. Miracle without salvation is non-profitable to church. It is non- profitable to Christ and His church – Satan also works miracles everywhere.</p><p> I also understand prosperity is our inheritance in Christ Jesus; no one can deny us that. But the Bible says eternal glory is more precious than the temporal comforts of this life (Matthew 6:21). </p><p>Many African Pentecostals – most especially our youths, believe if the Christian is not wealthy he is not blessed. Others believe if prayers are not answered or ambition actualized – God does not love them enough. Going back to promote the fundamentals of true Christianity can go a long way in correcting these deadly errors.</p><p>Embracing the whole gospel, not just word of faith, is the right thing to do in this last hour. Let’s not present God’s love in a way that the Biblical doctrine of His wrath makes no sense and fades into irrelevance.</p><p>If church repents of corruption, society and state may improve – let us think about this.</p><p>The teaching of God’s kingdom and divine grace (Gospel) as distinguished from Moses’ law, directs every convert towards the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-27).</p><p><strong><em>If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinners appear (1Peter 4:18)?</em></strong></p><p>Grace and Peace from Christ</p><p>Peter Mathias</p><p> Coordinator </p><p>Voice of God Movement</p><p>Lagos, Nigeria</p><p><em>The breath of God is in us… His voice is in our hearts</em></p></div>IT for Africa growhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/it-for-africa-grow2016-05-28T20:33:55.000Z2016-05-28T20:33:55.000ZEric Matofam Tamandjahttp://africathinktanks.org/members/EricMatofamTamandja<div>The issue of Information Technology policy for Africa grow is an important debate nowaday. However, the implementation of IT solutions are slow. How can Think Tanks get involved and communicating to policy makers that many problems can be sovled just by using technology? Such as corruption, good decision making based on big data, etc..Le probleme des TIC comme levier du developpement de l'Afrique est rentré dans les debats de nos jours. Toute fois, la mise en oeuvre des solutions est très lente. Comment les Thinks Tanks doivent s'impliquer et faire savoir aux decideurs que plusieurs problèmes de l'Afrique peuvent être resolus just en utilisant les TIC ? Il s'agit de la corruption, de la prise de decisions bassée sur le big data etc..</div>Dr. Ben .vs. The Notorious B.I.G.http://africathinktanks.org/blog/drben-vs-thnotoriousbig2016-04-27T16:28:14.000Z2016-04-27T16:28:14.000ZDaud Semajhttp://africathinktanks.org/members/DaudSemaj<div><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Dr. Ben vs. the Notorious B.I.G.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">As the</font> <font size="3"> </font><font size="3">black community marches forward past black history month in any given year attention will undoubtedly be paid towards recognizing Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannon and The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace), who both were considered to be the greatest in their respective fields.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Dr. Ben was considered to be the most prominent scholar in several academic disciplines, and The Notorious B.I.G. is considered by popular opinion to be the greatest rapper of all time.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The Notorious B.I.G. died in a drive by shooting in Los Angeles, CA on March 9, 1997 at the age of 24, and Dr. Ben died on March 13, 2015 at the age of 94.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">These two men have made a tremendous impact on black social thought and black culture.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Here the Notorious B.I.G. is recognized as a</font> <i><font size="3">creative intellectual</font></i> <font size="3">for his work in the music and entertainment industry. Most notably when LL Cool J declared himself the greatest of all time (GOAT), Cannibus in his single entitled, <em>Second Round Knockout</em>, states, "<em>The greatest rapper of all-time dies on March 9th-</em>" paying tribute to Biggie Smalls (The Notorious B.I.G.). </font> <font size="3">Dr. Ben was a Pan-Africanist and scholar of history, etymology, and religion in addition to countless other areas.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In recognizing the achievements of these men and their material contribution to the African Diaspora, how will millennials measure their contribution in terms of relevancy to black social thought in the areas of education, religion, entertainment and politics?</font><font size="3"> </font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Each year since 1998 radio stations have dedicated March 9</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">to the life and career of the Notorious B.I.G.</font> <font size="3"> </font><font size="3">By playing music throughout the day and opening up telephone lines to callers to share their thoughts and opinions.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Are radio stations are paying the community due diligence, through sharing the Notorious B.I.G’s creative work with them, or are they entertaining people with violence and romanticism with death.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">It has only been one year since the passing of Dr. Ben and media outlets have also followed suit and provided platforms to highlight the work of Dr. Ben.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Millennials seek information and entertainment through a variety of mass-media avenues; internet, phone internet and applications, and television, so how likely are millennials to encounter information relating to one of these cultural giants more than the other?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Around the world both men have been influential in cultural movements –Notorious B.I.G. doing so posthumously- affecting culture, religion, art and social thought.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">If a student were to research either of the men through academic articles, they should be able to find extensive scholarly information on both Dr. Ben and the Notorious B.I.G.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Questioning who is more important to Black culture here is not the objective, but to discuss why it may be imminent that one will receive more media exposure than the other, and to create opportunities for learners to understand the ideal of</font> <i><font size="3">cultural contribution</font></i><font size="3">-as it relates to understanding how various intellectuals contribute to a culture to create the body of its complex whole.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">No longer shall pictures of Black entertainers adorn the walls of classrooms, for their path to success was not conventional i.e. using post-secondary training to master a craft or discipline, and the entertainment industry is not an equal opportunity venture.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Drake signifies this in the lyric, “</font><i><font size="3">What up LB, what up Slum Vill..yall know yall the reason I have fun still, fans thinking we all signed for one mill, they don’t know that equal opportunity rap is unreal!</font></i><font size="3">”</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">When presenting Black history in a scholastic setting curriculums purposely omit African Americans that made substantial positive social change and other significant contributions to humanity in America other than those that have “assimilation status”. </font> <font size="3">This practice that education tsars support is detrimental to Black students.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">With the assistance of Greg Carr, Philadelphia now has a required high school African American history course.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">This alone will not liberate Black students but provides leeway for it.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I support the position that African American history should be taught across the curriculum instead of being confined to one class.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In examining the necessity for Black youth to be familiar with Dr. Ben and The Notorious B.I.G., educators have to make conscious decisions on how to present intellectuals and creative intellectuals to Black students.</font> <font size="3"> </font><font size="3">Many Africans in America have contributed significantly to all areas of human activity, so when the curriculum begins to acknowledge, respect, and honor African culture in America and the student’s being trained-it is likely-Black students will begin to leap developmental hurdles.</font></font></p><p></p></div>Degradation of Black Culture: Keep Them Dancinghttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/degradation-of-black-culture-keep-them-dancing2016-04-25T14:15:44.000Z2016-04-25T14:15:44.000ZDaud Semajhttp://africathinktanks.org/members/DaudSemaj<div><p align="center"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Degradation of Black Culture: <i>Keep Them Dancing</i></font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">During Super Bowl 50’s half-time show Beyoncé provided an exhilarating performance to game attendees and the world television audience in singing, a newly released song. </font> <font size="3">The performance was choreographed with quality synchronization from Beyoncé’s dancers and chimes from the Bruno Mars entourage.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Since Janet Jackson’s mishap during the half-time show at Super Bowl 40, where Justin Timberlake exposed</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">one of her breasts as a result of presumably a wardrobe malfunction, the public has come to expect</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">cutting-edge or even lewd</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">acts from performers that have to rise to the occasion and raise the bar to keep the audience entertained.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Performance wise Beyoncé displayed a show that was quite her repertoire, for the costumes her dancers wore were similar to what Beyoncé might generally wear during a performance, but considering the cultural climate of 2016 African Americans are basically battling the demonization of the cultural group (race) by the mass media through music, video, and motion picture images.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Therefore, black women -Beyoncé and her dancers- dressing up as a dominatrices or ”Negro bed wenches” for a television audience of about 114.4 million people is truly degenerative to the plight of Black culture in 2016.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Intercultural warfare is not a space to exude sexuality with hopes that some type of political base will be established, or to attain concessions from the establishment.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Therefore art that is ambiguous is nature such as Beyoncé’s performance and Chiraq, directed and written by Spike Lee, lacks clarity as they unsuccessfully use satire to communicate messages to the African community.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Presently African American men and women are facing overt acts of interpersonal and systemic racism e.g., Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, and Sandra Blaine-to name a few. </font> <font size="3">Could this treatment be a byproduct of how African Americans are portrayed in the media, and if lewdness, debauchery and gangsterism is the tethering crux of the African American community-as dictated by the media- where would it lead the culture, realistically.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Here we sometimes fail to understand how the mass media can entertain one cultural group and simultaneously indoctrinate another with the same material.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Noting Mario Van Peebles in the movie</font> <i><font size="3">Badassss s</font></i><font size="3">hared, “White people went to the movies and believed that were what they saw on the screens.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Thankfully members of the culture recognized such antics being used against the culture and decided to critically approach the issue.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">But following the example of Melvin Van Peebles, Blacks somehow continued to fill demeaning roles in Blaxploitation films and other genres of film over the span of the subsequent decades leading into and past the millennium.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Entertaining African Americans into oblivion and indoctrinating other cultures into believing that what they see about the African American culture in media outlets is irresponsible and downright dangerous.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">When the Amos and Andy show aired in the 1920s it did not need a Black face to sell propaganda.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Today Black faces are paid to engage in the dehumanizing acts of entertainment displayed, yet</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">what will be the outcome?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">If one looks comprehensively at African Americans in video and motion pictures what would their assessment be?</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">It is true that the negative image of African Americans are valuable to other cultures, otherwise stellar images of African Americans would be in mass circulation combating the prevalent negative images being displayed.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Black culture is being affected by an ideological hypnosis through the media to the extent where what’s degenerative becomes enticing as long as it contributes to one’s self-perseverance.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Such phenomena can clearly be countered, and with the circulation machine of social media it can be countered within the same medium.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Beyoncé is considerably successful and as a cultural icon she naturally inspires others to achieve goals and their perceived dreams.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">African Americans have always stood on the cultural battleground regarding the arts.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Some journalists have gone to lengths to suggest Beyoncé’s performance had racial overtones with references to Malcom X and the Black Panther Party for self-defense. </font> <font size="3">Individuals that viewed the performance were either moved or indifferent to it altogether, but could nevertheless render an opinion stating how the performance made them feel. The position being represented here is that Beyoncé delivered a performance in front of 110 million viewers wearing black leather in a dominatrix fashion.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">If a political statement was being made the position here is that the said statement was undermined by the over-sexualization of the African woman.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Women from the diaspora that represented the Black Power Movement, Pan-Africanism, or a palatable ideal for the progress of the culture included: The Pointer Sisters, Kathleen Cleaver, Assata Shakur, Angela Davis, Julia Hare, Audre Lorde, Frances Cress-Welsing, and even C. Delores Tucker. </font> <font size="3">In conjunction with the television shows</font> <i><font size="3">Scandal, Empire,</font></i> <font size="3">and</font> <i><font size="3">The haves and Have Nots</font></i><font size="3">, the sexual objectivity of the black woman perpetually contributes to the ideal of over-sexualization in reality, and begs the question of whether or not the commodification of sex is ostentatiously being inculcated to the public-particularly the African Diaspora, and secondly the</font> <i><font size="3">other</font></i> <font size="3">culture that is being indoctrinated with humanizing audio and visual images of Africans in America.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Clearly the arts are still being operated using a top-down model versus bottom-to- top model</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">There are many models and initiatives all geared toward advancing black culture, but what is the universal standard. </font> <font size="3">Minister Louis Farrakhan, from the Nation of ISLAM, weighed in on Beyoncé’s song and performance-giving her credit for talking about black things, but underscoring how she disturbed white America.</font><font size="3"> </font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p><p></p></div>The Parallelhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/the-parallel2016-04-19T18:10:28.000Z2016-04-19T18:10:28.000ZDaud Semajhttp://africathinktanks.org/members/DaudSemaj<div><p align="center"><font face="Calibri" size="3">The Parallel</font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Now when I walk down 40</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">Street in the morning hours of the day I imagine what the community looked like when John Africa and Black Panthers held down this section of West Philly with the physical presence of Black solidarity.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Living down the bottom again has forced the resurfacing of many thoughts and emotions about the community, my family, and the dichotomy of genocide-Black on Black violence.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Race relations between law enforcement officials and Black Americans have remained tenuous, especially due to the recent unwarranted killings of Black Americans by police officers in 2014 and 2015.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Throughout the past 15 years I have consistently delved into the “race problem” for my own understanding –to become more aware of how to constructively interact with the people of various cultures that I encompass.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In 2015 Baltimore was ushered through turmoil following the killing of Freddie Gray by Baltimore police officers.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Internationally, the Black diaspora has reached its tipping point and occurrences resembling the Baltimore “uprising” will be common place.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">After the protests in Baltimore several major cities were homes to demonstrations and protests by individuals, groups, and organizations representing the mantra, “Black Lives Matter.”</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">In Philadelphia I walked through the “Freddie Gray Protest” after I got off work from doing community outreach. </font> <font size="3">Broad and Spring Garden is where I began to lazily trek my way south to get a bus heading to Camden.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Approaching Callowhill Street I noticed the traffic was congested, people were doing u- turns, and the expressway was blocked off by protesters on Broad and Vine Streets.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">As protesters continued to block of the Interstate 676 east entrance the situation escalated and there appeared to be more “white shirts” out than petty officers.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Later that evening I heard about 143 people were arrested for disorderly conduct and related offenses.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Amazingly “the streets” murmured that Jay-Z and Beyoncé bailed out protesters to support the protest efforts against police violence towards Blacks.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Practically the action Jay-Z and Beyoncé made denotes an effective way to use capital to attain cultural progress.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The NAACP dispensed funding to support the financial costs of some historically progressive legislature- namely Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Without financial backing it is difficult to launch a campaign against oppression, but will capital secure basic human rights for the un-propertied?</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Proceeding southwards on 40</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">Street, I approached Lancaster Avenue and the three-story house with a MLK mural; a stance he took when he visited the Ave in the 1960s.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Thinking rhetorically, “John Africa and Mummia-Abu Jamal should have a mural standing side by side on this space,” hovering over the James L. Morse Funeral Home’s parking lot.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The funeral service for an in-law was held at the funeral home back in the 1990s.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">There are so many funeral homes in Philadelphia,</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">for just two blocks up the street-at another funeral home- Lucien Blackwell is colorfully depicted in a Mural that rests on the side of the building on 42</font><sup><font size="2">nd</font></sup> <font size="3">Street and Haverford Avenue.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">My recollection of the bottom is very near or more rather my memory of the bottom guides my instincts, motivation, and the energy I emit into the community. </font> <font size="3">Some of the experiences I endured living around “39 Black-” the black side of 39</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">Street definitely created a desire in me to see the community exist in a better light.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In June 2015 there were pictures on social media (Facebook) that showed my high school Uni being demolished.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In silence I sat on the Route 10 trolley feeling enraged; passing the building in its demolition phase,</font><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">I peered left and thought about the $160 my family had to pay for class dues.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">After all, part of the money was supposed to be used to purchase a gift for the school.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">What happened to all the gifts, trophies, banners, year books and memorabilia? Maybe it’ll be housed in the archives of the</font> <font size="3"><i>Philadelphia Free Library.</i> </font> <font size="3">In recognizing that art needs to be appreciated in a bottom-to-top fashion as Harold Cruse concedes in Crisis of the Negro intellectual, I also believe the artist represents the voice of the people and</font> <i><font size="3">Nas</font></i> <font size="3">poignantly finessed in conveying a perspective in the lyric, “schools where I learned they should be burned</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">cause it’s poison.”</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Where will the school to replace it go?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">What will the name of the new school be?</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Choosing to live in West Philadelphia again was what moving to California was for George Jackson, a place to live, but also a place to spend the remainder of one’s years. </font> <font size="3">Given that my maternal family is from Ogden Street and my paternal family is from Brooklyn Street, existentially I see myself as starting from the ground up-to help build and preserve Black culture.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I had some of the best experiences of my childhood in the streets I walk through daily as I head to ventures around town.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Where are they now;</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">all of Tyiene’s friends, the kids I went to high school with, the previous owners of “8 Brothers”</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">the owners of the store that sold liquidated clothes that were faded?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Every walking trip I take toward Market Street and back I glance at the old house on Powelton Avenue, thinking, wow-“settler colonialism.”</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The Getty gas station can’t seem to keep a tenant it its auto repair space, so I guess they raised their rents too! </font> <font size="3">Since 1993 the Red Cross building replaced the vacant lot we used to play baseball with rocks on.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">First there was a huge mural that had a black boy looking like he was shooting a basketball, but there was no basketball-his hands were just extended above his head and shoulders.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The writing said, “I am large, I contain multitudes!”</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">A replica of that same mural is on the Red Cross building on its side.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I know where some of us are; “Pop-Pop;” Uncle Cliff; Aunt Sylvia; Aunt Janet; Aunt Debbie; Mom; Uncle Fish; Uncle Alex; Uncle Carey; Aunt Retha and Tyiene have all left the village in the physical.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">These are just some of my relatives from down-the-way.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">An interesting conversation I could have- about how the neighborhood has transformed- would be one with my Uncle Lem, who has witnessed how the culture has changed over time in West Philly.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Where are they now; <i>Prophets of the Ghetto</i></font><font size="3">; “SPIKE;” “MAD;” ANS Crew; TEF; PDF; the Blackwells,</font> <font size="3"> </font><font size="3">and Uncle Mike’s friend from 40</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">and Baring Streets that used to sit in the chair all day-whose house was “settler-colonized” as well.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Finally getting to talk to my Uncle Lem, I realized that it was several years since I last spoke with him.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">When one misses a family reunion in my family they miss out on a lot.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The last time I spoke with him was in 2012 when he was running for office-right before I moved to 22</font><sup><font size="2">nd</font></sup> <font size="3">Street and Lehigh Avenue.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I asked uncle Lem about where the Black Panthers and John Africa’s of my generation were.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">He replied, “The drugs created a lot of conflict within the culture which led to violence in our communities and neighborhoods.”</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I agree!</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The focus of my generation and the generation thereafter has shifted to a senseless whirlwind of confusion.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">To create change in the Black community stellar folk have to consistently be that change.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Even as the act of being a catalyst for change is an intra-cultural</font> <i><font size="3">revolutionary</font></i> <font size="3">act in and of itself, a balance of action must be obtained to work out a compromise of some sort on the community level between factions for the sake of cultural solidarity.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Will the next John Africa please stand up, so the public can take notice of healthy diets, environmentalism, and awareness of police brutality against the Black community?</font><font size="3"> </font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Running out of the house to get into a waiting car I noticed a European gentleman conversing with my neighbor about some election literature they were discussing. </font> <font size="3">In a hurry, I introduced myself to the gentleman, extended my contact information to him, and told him, “I’ll get in contact with you.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The candidate was familiar with the organization I work for, so he may have an idea about the conversation I plan to have with him.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">This August there will be a special election to fill a state representative slot in Pennsylvania’s 195</font><sup><font size="2">th</font></sup> <font size="3">district.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The candidates are Donna Bullock and Adam Lang.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Thus far I have never seen Donna Bullock , and I find it ironic that Lang can be found canvassing the streets of the bottom, but his opponent is nowhere in my sight.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Black communities should have Black politicians that represent the community, by way of disseminating information, and providing hands-on community building opportunities such representatives should help communities become self-sustaining.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">West Philadelphia is a community that has remained on the waiting list to get restructured, for investments and improvements have been made, however, how have these changes affected the overall well-being of the community?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Through the promotion of and encouraging the creation of community member owned businesses, business will be in a position to hire community members that otherwise travel to suburbia, across town, or even out of state to find gainful employment.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Political districts that are historically Black are facing displacement as “hood-hoppers” and “settler-colonists” wrestle for prime property lots and opportunities to control the restructuring of West Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. </font> <font size="3">The election of a non-black candidate will disrupt the natural order of how politics (war without bloodshed) were handled in Black communities.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">In the absence of non-critical thought what remains obvious is that Black communities in West Philadelphia have remained in their status quo.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Essentially some lack-luster politicians have performed a mediocre job of propelling the culture forward in West Philadelphia.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">It would be impossible locally to have peace and all community members adequately getting their needs met at the same time.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">This brings me to farce of the Philadelphia tax that in estimate is roughly a bill that competes with the same costs of public transportation to work or even a monthly cell phone bill-bi-weekly.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The bureaucratic methods used to captivate Philadelphia’s residents must be challenged.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Does Bullock or Lang have the fortitude to address issues, get issues resolved, or organize and mobilize community members’ effort, perspectives and capital to gain foreground in an emerging totalitarian atmosphere.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Moreover, the election of a non-black politician constitutes a revolutionary act; such action would further mark an era of retrograde and reactionary politics in an area of Black human activity.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">West Philadelphia needs to see cultural progress, but can progress exist beyond dialectical materialism, especially while countering the factors that necessitates the public’s insatiable desire for the commoditization of goods. </font> <font size="3">Hope is what Obama brought to the</font> <i><font size="3">bottom</font></i><font size="3">, but what has the hope materialized into.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">As I have returned to the neighborhood at the concluding years of Obama’s tenure in the White House I search vigorously for the change that was to take place.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">I voted for Obama at the church on 41</font><sup><font size="2">st</font></sup> <font size="3">and Brown Sts in 2008.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The era of Obama’s name repeated on the “</font><i><font size="3">A-Milli</font></i><font size="3">” beat, Hope posters of Obama by Obey, and the hiatus of imperial Casanova persuaders has produced an effect in West Philadelphia.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">For starters the physical landscape has remained the same with the exception of</font> <i><font size="3">Imperial Casanova Persuaders</font></i> <font size="3">resurfacing.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Hope that some community members possessed turned into despair as opportunities for economic advancement are not existent.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">What I hope for is the creation of Black owned businesses in my neighborhood that supports and employs the community.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Now there are Black owned businesses if one classifies the infamous Chinese sand Dominican stores, yet these venues are not in the practice of equal opportunity employment.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Further, given the tax breaks that immigrant merchants receive, there is no tax base in the inner city.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">This translates to an inquiry of whether or not owning and operating a business is tangible for Blacks.</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">As a community member I believe cultural progress highlights the strength of a culture to sustain itself by growing and selling food; making and selling clothes; building and selling homes; and making medical innovations for self-care. </font> <font size="3">If successful cultural and ethnic minorities exist in America’s inner cities their blueprint to success should be shared.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">When Black kids attend public schools they are often encouraged (socialized) to leave the neighborhood or more proverbially “get out of the hood” when they become successful-to seek the materializing of their dreams and goals, yet where will</font> <i><font size="3">they</font></i> <font size="3">go?</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Ironically, one may have the skills and wherewithal to affect change the world over, but what is there to be said of such individuals that can impact and influence the world but appear asinine in their immediate community.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">The age of Ben Carson’s rhetoric and notions of</font> <i><font size="3">rugged individualism</font></i> <font size="3">are dead and as community members of West Philadelphia we must erect a rigid set of standards for community living, community building, and living peacefully in solidarity.</font><font size="3"> </font> <font size="3">Several reputable blueprints have been provided for us to create a cultural platform with, but who will rise to the challenge; who are these community members; and where are the Stakeholders of</font> <i><font size="3">Black</font></i> <font size="3">culture now?</font></font></p><p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></p><p></p></div>Bienvenue à Zeinabou Taleb Moussa, membre de ATTN/Mauritaniehttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/bienvenue-a-zeinabou-taleb-moussa-membre-de-attn-mauritanie2015-11-18T20:40:24.000Z2015-11-18T20:40:24.000ZMoctar Mamadou Diallohttp://africathinktanks.org/members/MoctarMamadouDiallo<div><p>Les membres dynamiques et actifs de la société civile de Mauritanie viennent s'inscrire au réseau de ATTN. Zeinabou Taleb Moussa vient rejoindre le groupe de Mauritaniens à ATTN et l'effectif est de cinq Mauritaniens et tenez vous vous bien une excellente présence du genre (Hawa Sidibé, Siniya Haidara et Zeinabou Taleb Moussa pour les femmes et du côté des hommes au nombre de 2, Mohamed Abdellahi Ould EYIL et Moctar Mamadou Diallo soit un effectif de 5 membres pour les Mauritaniens. Je me félicite de l'engouement des Mauritaniens de venir élargir la famille ATTN. Bravo aux femmes de Mauritanie toutes membres de la Société civile dont je suis le Point Focal.</p><p></p></div>Bienvenue Seniya Haidarahttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/bienvenue-seniya-haidara2015-11-18T15:40:45.000Z2015-11-18T15:40:45.000ZMoctar Mamadou Diallohttp://africathinktanks.org/members/MoctarMamadouDiallo<div><p>A mon nom et à celui du coordinateur du réseau de ATTN Mr Barassou Diawara et son Staff, nous souhaitons à Seniya Haidara la bienvenue. Seniya est une brillante actrice de la SC dévolue à la cause des populations.</p><p>Nous félicitations ton inscription au réseau ATTN et nous espérons que tu saisras toutes les opportunités et avantages qu'offre ce réseau pour ton intérêt et celui des membres de ton organisation. Nous te souhaitons de faire bon usage et nous te réitèrons nos félicitations. </p><p>Cordialement</p><p>Me Moctar Mamadou Diallo, Point Focal de la SC de Mauritanie tele, 00222 46793748</p></div>Membres ATTN/Mauritanie au nombre de troishttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/membres-attn-mauritanie-au-nombre-de-trois2015-11-15T23:18:34.000Z2015-11-15T23:18:34.000ZMoctar Mamadou Diallohttp://africathinktanks.org/members/MoctarMamadouDiallo<div><p>Bonjour</p><p>Quel plaisir de voir parmi les membres de ATTN deux Mauritaniens notamment Mr Mohamed Yahya OULD EL EYIL Yahya et Mme Hawa Sidibé deux acteurs dynamiques de la Société Civile de Mauritanie qui sont connus pour leurs engagements citoyens et leurs dynamismes dans les appuis apportés à nos populations pour leurs apporter un bien être et les sortir de la précarité.</p><p>En ma qualité de Point Focal de la SC de Mauritanie et ma proximité avec ces deux acteurs qui sont en plus d'être des confrères sont mes amis, ce qui nous amène à collaborer et faire oeuvre commune dans le cadre du Réseau ATTN Mauritanie pour constituer une force de proposition contributive pour le développement de ATTN/Pays (Mauritanie).</p><p>Cordialement</p><p>Me Moctar Mamadou Diallo: Point Focal de la SC de Mauritanie</p></div>The SDGs and Agenda 2063: the role of Africa’s Think Tankshttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/the-sdgs-and-agenda-2063-the-role-of-africa-s-think-tanks2015-11-12T06:04:02.000Z2015-11-12T06:04:02.000ZBarassou Diawarahttp://africathinktanks.org/members/BarassouDiawara<div><p>On April 6-8, 2015, the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) of the University of Pennsylvania and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) organized the Second Africa Think Tanks Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The main objective was to offer an opportunity for Africa’s think tanks to take a step back and consider the implications of the new dynamism taking place in the continent on the nature and content of their work.</p>
<p>One of the critical issues in the agenda of the Summit was <b><i>to reflect on how Africa’s think tanks can best support Africa’s development priorities as reflected in the 2063 Agenda and Africa’s position in shaping the post-2015 agenda.</i></b></p>
<p>The post-2015 SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063 are aspirational goals stretching into the long term, leaving countries with space to seek their own paths. While the SDGs are global, Africa’s Agenda 2063 is the continent’s common vision, laying out an African-centered agenda, breaking from the past where development thinking on the continent was shaped by non-African agendas.</p>
<p>Within this framework, African think tanks can play a critical role as organizations designed for and capable of long-term thinking and reflection. Here, the transformation of Africa should be central to think tank agendas, helping the governments of the continent better position Africa in relation to the world, by offering bold ideas, optimism about the future, and changing the prevailing pessimistic impressions about the continent.</p>
<p>Insights offered by Summit participants covered some practical aspects of this scenario:</p>
<ul>
<li>Not all actors, both in Government and civil society, are fully aware of Agenda 2063 and its importance in shaping Africa’s future. Many perceive that it was prepared as a top-down effort from the African Union with little “grassroot” relevance. Think tanks have a role to play in moving Agenda 2063 out of the confines of the African Union, and helping to ensure that all Africans embrace it as a common vision. These actors can also help institutions assess the capacity Africa requires for its development over the coming years. Finally, they can formulate strategies and other conceptual entry points to promote the vision’s success.</li>
<li>Think tanks could strategize how best to bring women and youth to the center stage in discussions regarding the future of the continent. They can look into the role of technology, and how to maximize its benefits for society. Think tanks can assess future leadership capacities- transforming educational paradigms to propel the country’s development forward, and the skills for achieving greater leaps in technology.</li>
<li>While acknowledging the challenges faced by policy makers, who must navigate competing policy needs, think tanks could also address the demands of policy development. Think Tanks could extend their target audiences beyond formal policy makers to reach other critical decision-makers and agenda setters – informal leaders in the public sphere, private sector and the broader civil society. Ultimately the nation’s citizens are the voters who keep political parties in power. To bring civil society to the table, think tanks need to speak in a language the people understand, and help them appreciate the value of think tanks to the national development efforts as both influencers and catalysts of public opinion.</li>
<li>When people do not understand their institutions, they will not benefit from them. Rather than reinforcing values and institutional constructs brought in from colonial times, African think tanks could lead in articulating an African approach and viewpoint, to help shape African institutions around an African cultural identity.</li>
</ul>
<p>The vision of Agenda 2063 should be an aspiration that corresponds to an ambition and opportunity for think tanks. Think tanks could aim to liberate the African people to ‘think big.’ However, for such a liberation, think tanks need to define the transformative proposal with clarity, taking advantage of the major trends to help provide a thorough understanding of the agenda.</p>
</div>African think tanks & Use of New Media and Technologyhttp://africathinktanks.org/blog/african-think-tanks-use-of-new-media-and-technology2015-11-12T05:55:53.000Z2015-11-12T05:55:53.000ZBarassou Diawarahttp://africathinktanks.org/members/BarassouDiawara<div><p>The First Africa Think Tank Summit was held in Pretoria, South Africa, on the theme:  <b><i>Think tanks</i></b> <i><b>and the Transformation of Africa</b></i>. The Summit was co-organized in Pretoria, South Africa, on February 3-5, 2014 by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP), and the African Leadership Centre (ALC). The Pretoria Summit was followed by the Second Africa Think Tanks Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa Summit was organized on April 6-8, 2015 by ACBF and TTCSP, and hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The theme of the Second Africa Think Tank Summit was <b><i>t</i></b><b><i>he Rise of Africa’s Think Tanks – Practical Solutions to Practical Problems</i></b>.</p>
<p>Both Summits offered an opportunity for Africa’s think tanks to exchange ideas and experiences on various strategic issues and consider the implications of the new dynamism taking place on the continent regarding the nature and breadth of their work. Both the Summits recognized the need for Africa’s think thanks to pay attention on new media and technology.</p>
<p class="Default">Discussions during the Summits recommended African think tanks to take advantage of the major potential that new media and technology offer. Such technology could provide think tanks with valuable tools for more effective communication and dissemination of research useful in engaging key stakeholders. Social media also has the capacity of creating dialogue among diverse groups and fostering organic and innovative solutions.</p>
<p class="Default">New media offers an opportunity to target policymakers. Think tanks are therefore advised to use publication means such as monographs, or multimedia forms to communicate the most important recommendations from their research. Technology also provides think tanks a platform to reach out more effectively to potential donors.</p>
<p>Recommendations from the First Summit recognized that while technology has much to offer, it must be used strategically and appropriately in order to reach different groups: social media may reach a younger contingency, online publications another, and TV and radio a third. It was emphasized that radio as a tool for dissemination can be particularly effective, especially in less-resourced areas. As a number of think tanks simply do not have the resources to connect to this new technology, it was suggested that think tanks form partnerships, which would facilitate sharing.</p>
</div>